Our Hall of Faith hero is Joseph. Of all the hero’s in the Bible we really see God working behind the scenes in Joseph’s life.
God never forgets Joseph. God worked in his life every step of the way.
Joseph matures from dreamer to leader.
Joseph matures from a young man who did not know when to stop talking to a man who rules a nation through a famine.
Beloved we are in a crisis yet we see God working in our lives.
Have you read the story of Joseph and the reunion with his brothers. His brothers come to Egypt to obtain grain. There’s a famine in the land and their father had heard that Egypt had grain. We read this in Genesis.
Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. Genesis 42: 1-3
The saga begins with Joseph knowing his brothers, but the brother’s do not recognize him.
And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.
9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
10 And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
11 We are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
12 And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
13 And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.
14 And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies: Genesis 42: 9-14.
Joseph sets the reunion in motion, he bids them to return with the youngest son or no more grain. This is Benjamin, Joseph’s brother. They shared the same mother Rachel.
Once again the grain is gone.
Finally, Jacob allows the brothers to take Benjamin to Egypt. We read of the return in Genesis 43.
And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:
And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. Genesis 43: 11-15.
Joseph could not believe his eyes as he beheld his little brother. Joseph was moved to tears. He prepared a feast and fed them. Joseph filled there sacks and set them up by putting a golden cup in Benjamin’s sack. They had traveled and were caught for stealing. They returned and the older brothers plea to Joseph to not harm Benjamin, to not keep him because this would break their father’s heart. Judah pleads with Joseph to make the situation right. He offers to be held as prisoner we read this at the end of Genesis 44.
Joseph couldn’t keep up the mask any longer, read with me
Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Genesis 45: 1-4.
The reunion begins, the brothers are sent to get Jacob.
And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.
27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:
28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die. Genesis 45: 25-28.
Beloved, have you experienced a rift in your family? Have you quarrelled with a family member? The story of Joseph is one of hope and reconciliation.
Father God, reconcile us first to you and then to those that you would have us reconcile with. You are greater that Satan. Satan has come to destroy but you love us and wants what is best for us. Heal families Lord during this time of crisis.
