Genesis 45:1-15 Here are Pastor Glen's sermon notes and small group questions for this week's sermon. No recording available because we gathered at the lake for our annual Church Family Picnic and Baptism.
Genesis(35) (Part of the Joseph–Finding God's Plan in the Midst of Dysfunction and Disaster(19) series)
by Glen Osborn(162) on July 21, 2024 (Worship Service(175))
Sermon Text
Joseph Series: Finding God’s Plan in the Midst of Dysfunction and Disappointment
Revealing the Plan of God Genesis 45:1-15
Pastor Glen Osborn, CCF, July 21, 2024
Something that has developed in the last decade is a reveal party. Expectant parents have a gathering of family members and friends to reveal the gender of their developing baby. There are often competitions held with those gathered trying to guess the gender of the baby. Pink and blue are key colors. Some ways it takes place: A cake is sliced to see what color is inside; an egg is opened; a balloon is popped; colored silly string is shot out by everyone. Some of these reveals have been quite unique. The color has been revealed through fireworks, crop duster planes, and alligators. Getting to know something that is unknown is exciting. Especially as special as a new baby.
Understanding and seeing how things all come together is also exciting. A project at work, losing weight, saving for a special event, getting out of debt, even an expansion at church. This is especially true when we see how God works it all out. In today’s edition of our Joseph series, Joseph reveals his identity and God’s plan in what has happened. Let’s read the passage. Genesis 45:1-15.
In a good novel or play, there is much tension throughout that suddenly leads us to resolution. It all comes together. When I was younger, I read the Agatha Christie mysteries. I learned to never read the last few pages before the rest of the book. It all came together in the end – the answers to all the questions were revealed. There has been much tension as Joseph has interacted with his brothers after they first arrived in Egypt to buy grain. They have been afraid of him and his position. He has been the harsh governor, the one they have bowed down to, been imprisoned by, and accused of theft. They have no idea that this is their brother that they sold to slave traders over 25 years ago. And now, finally, Joseph can stand the tension no longer. He tells everyone but the brothers to leave the room. He breaks down and weeps – so loudly that it was heard outside the room by the Egyptians. Even Pharoah heard about it. Then he reveals his identity to them. It was shocking for them to hear him say, I Am Joseph. He says it in Hebrew – Ah-Nee Yo-Saphe. Joseph wanted to know if his father is still alive, but the brothers were in shock. They were speechless and stunned. Joseph was aware that this would be frightening to them, probably afraid that he would take revenge on them. So, he calls them to come close. The word he uses is not the common Hebrew term for merely coming near, but a term used for coming close for the purpose of embracing or kissing someone. He also wanted them to see it really was him. There is a tenderness being communicated. He again says he is Joseph, the one they sold into slavery. (It has to be him; plus now their secret will be exposed.) Then, he speaks words to calm them. He says, “Don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. “It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.” He then explains that the famine will last 5 more years and that if he wasn’t in this position they all would die. “So it was God who sent me here, not you!”
But the family is not yet all together. Jacob is still back in Canaan. And Joseph addresses this right away. He says, Go tell my father, “God has made me master over all the land of Egypt” Again the focus is on what God has done. And he wants his father to come quickly – immediately. It’s been too long. Don’t hesitate. And he promises a special area that they can live – in Goshen. And he will take care of them. He has the power, authority, and resources at his disposal. Joseph again weeps, but this time it is with joy as he embraces Benjamin. And then there was a freedom that had never existed before between the brothers – they began to talk together in openness, without fear. Wow. This is exciting. This is what we have been waiting for. And Joseph makes it clear that God has done it. God has
Sent Joseph ahead – it looked like it was the hatred of the brothers that sent Joseph to Egypt, but it was God. He took what was evil and turned it to good. He has led, kept and used Joseph throughout this difficult journey. He blessed Joseph in Potiphar’s house, in the prison, and eventually sent Pharoah a dream that only Joseph could interpret which led to his leadership in Egypt. God has…
Preserved the family and many others – By giving insight to Joseph and putting him in the position of coordinating the gathering during the prosperous years and the plan of distribution through the famine, God provided the food that kept them alive. God has-
Provided a safe place for the family to live – Joseph’s influence with Pharoah made it possible for him to be able to give a large portion of land to his family. The land was in Goshen, a very fertile area along the Nile, good for agriculture and raising and herding animals. It also was an area that was separate from the Egyptians, so it provided a place for the family to be connected, and not influenced by the pagan culture. And it was fairly close to the palace - close to Joseph. God made it all possible. And through it all He,
Reconnected the family and brought forgiveness and reconciliation – That which seemed impossible, has come to be. Joseph, the one who was misused, becomes the avenue for forgiveness and reconciliation. Jacob and the other sons are reunited with Joseph, and that which has been in the past has been acknowledged, repented of, and forgiven. And Joseph encourages them all to not be angry with themselves, but to recognize God’s working in it all.
As we consider this story, we are also reminded of What God has done for us. There is a parallel to the ultimate redemption story that will come through the genealogy of this family. God has
Sent His Son ahead to provide salvation – John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” We celebrated that life today in the baptisms.
Brought us into His family – John 1:12 “To all who believed and accepted Jesus, God gave the right to become His children.” Like Jacob and his family, we all have a sin problem, and we are far from perfect. But God loves us and has a plan for us. And He has come close to us so that we will be in His family. Jesus has come so that we will know that God is with us. We do not need to be afraid. He wants us to know it is Him – the loving God who has provided salvation and new life for us. And like Joseph was made governor of Egypt, even greater, God…
Made Jesus Lord and Messiah – Acts 2:36 In the sermon given at Pentecost, Peter told the crowds gathered, “Let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Jesus is our Savior, but also Lord and King. He has authority over everything and will rule and reign forever. And just like Joseph bringing his family to Goshen, God has…
Brought us into a safe place – We are saved from sin, and punishment, and we are safe in His care no matter what comes. Psalm 18:19 David wrote: “He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.” And like the brothers and Joseph, God has…
Reconciled us with Him and others – 2 Cor. 5:18-19 We were separated from God by our sin, but He has made peace through the blood of Jesus. “All of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” And the reconciliation has been possible because He has…
Brought forgiveness and enables us to be those who forgive others – Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Our response is to thank God for all He has done, and worship Him by giving our lives to honor and serve Him. Also, we have hope. God did miraculous things in providing for Jacob and his family in the famine and in restoring their relationships. They were a major disaster. But God didn’t give up on them. He pursued them, pressured them until there was restoration and reconciliation, guided Joseph into areas that he would not have gone on his own, kept him and blessed him for the sake of his family, and through them provided salvation for all mankind. He still does great things for those who love Him. Be encouraged, no matter what is happening, and no matter how long you have been waiting. God calls us to come close. We read in James 4:8, “Come close to God and God will come close to you.” Jesus says in Revelation 3:20, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” He comes to us and calls us to come close to Him. Praise the Lord!
PRAYER
Small Group Questions July 21, 2024
Revealing the Plan of God
Genesis 45:1-15
Have you ever read a mystery, and experienced the tension of the story while you wait to get to the part where you find out who did it, and why? What is it like when the tension breaks and what you don’t know is revealed?
Read Genesis 45:1-15. Why do you think that it is at this part of the story that Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers?
How does Joseph react? How do the brothers react? What do you think is going through their minds?
How can Joseph keep saying that it was God who has brought about all the things that have happened? Do the brothers have any responsibility?
What does Joseph say God has done? What does he want them to tell his father? What is he looking forward to?
What makes Goshen a special place for them to live? How is this a blessing from God?
We find the brothers and Joseph talking freely. What do you think they were talking about? What has made this possible?
How has God brought about forgiveness and reconciliation for you/us? See John 3:16; John 1:12; Acts 2:36; Psalm 18:19 and 2 Cor. 5:18-19.
Prayer
Thank and praise God for working out His plan for you.
Tell Him that you want to be close to Him always.