Presentation 63

Presentation 63

Can you keep a secret? Children often say, “I have a secret” then they blurt it out within the space of five minutes. It’s a piece of news they simply can't keep to themselves. Keeping secrets is not easy, and can be an emotionally exhausting experience. It certainly was in Joseph's case. To see his brothers come and go and not be able to disclose himself to them until God had done a work of transforming grace within their lives was both harrowing and extremely difficult!

Introduction

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But when God’s work was done it was time for his self disclosure. Joseph could not trust himself to act with any degree of emotional constraint and so the royal apartments were cleared of all his Egyptian servants. His tears begin to flow as he stood up and in a moment of high drama and said to his startled brothers, 'I am Joseph'.

There are few more dramatic moments found in God's Word. Joseph’s brothers were glued to the spot, gripped by terror, as the realisation dawned that the one they had sinned so grievously against and treated so shamefully, now stood before them. This was the second most powerful man of that age. They could not imagine a more terrifying scenario.

Introduction

Presentation 63

Joseph brought relief to their terror by relating everything in his life to God. In the space of five verses, God's involvement in their family drama is mentioned four times: It was to save lives that God sent me on ahead of you... God sent me on ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance... So then it was not you who sent me here but God... God has made me Lord of all Egypt.

This ability to relate all of life's experiences to God’s controlling hand not only provides stability but creates a readiness to forgive, comfort and reassure those who have done us harm.

It was God

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Joseph was not simply saying that all good gifts come from God [Jas. 1.17] He also applies this to all the evil he had experienced. Joseph had not arrived at this perspective on life by ignoring or even denying the evil that his brothers had done him. But the all important point Joseph is making is that God's hand can be seen directing all the evil he had experienced.

Of course he's not saying that God is the author of that evil but rather God is able to use the evil deeds of men to accomplish his purposes.

It was God

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A book was published some time ago by an American Rabbi entitled, 'When bad things happen to good people'. He argued that God was all loving but not all powerful, God was good but not sovereign. And so, when bad things happen to good people it is because their situations are beyond God's control. The book advised 'learn to love God and forgive him despite his limitations.'

The Rabbi had clearly not allowed his thinking to be shaped by God’s word!

We may well have trouble understanding how exactly an all powerful and good God relates to the evil in the world. But one thing is certain God is not overwhelmed by evil but is in full control of his universe.

It was God

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The book of Job clearly teaches that Job's suffering was not accidental nor beyond the bounds of God's control. Indeed, God set limits for Satan in his testing of Job 1v12, 2v6. God himself had initiated the test by asking Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job?' Job 1v8. All through the suffering process it is clear that God is in charge. Satan was Job's protagonist yet it was God who permitted his activity. The reason bad things happen to good people is found in the decrees of God. Recognising this Joseph could say to his brothers, 'It was not you who sent me here but God.’ v8

It was God

Presentation 63

Joseph goes further, saying God had accomplished good through evil. The end result was good despite the evil he had experienced along the way. It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you... God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant upon the earth.’ v7

Do you see what Joseph is saying? The hatred of Joseph’s brothers, the lust of Potiphar's wife, the ingratitude of the cupbearer... all these evils spanning many years were God's instruments for his good and the good of others.

It was God

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Joseph identifies three goods, which came out of the evils he experienced. First, God made him ‘Lord of Egypt’ v9. The highest position of the land next to Pharaoh. There is an important spiritual lesson here; those on whom God intends to bestow great honours are often humbled in order to create the humility necessary for greatness.

Think of Moses the fugitive, or David the outlaw. Both men underwent humbling experiences before being raised to positions of fruitful service.

Whatever the future holds, remember it is God who holds the future. The eventual outcome of any evil that the believer experiences is designed for their personal good. Rom 8.28

It was God

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Secondly, Joseph tells his brothers that God has saved them through the evils he had experienced. Joseph's family would have died of hunger if Joseph had not been in Egypt to tell Pharaoh of the famine about to befall Egypt and the surrounding nations. Joseph’s brothers were not only preserved physically but spiritually as well. The evils that believers experience may be used by God to benefit others. This is how Paul interprets the sore circumstances that lashed his life cf 2Cor. 4v8-10 but cf v12 'So then death is at work in us, but life is at work in you'.

In some way Paul’s suffering was the means God chose to bring spiritual life to those still dead in their sins. God can use our suffering as he used Joseph's and Paul's as a means of benefitting others.

It was God

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Thirdly, God saved the lives of unbelievers, the Egyptians and others in the process of saving Joseph's extended household, 'It was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you' v5. The world is often blind to the blessings God brings. The wicked experience many special providences from God because of his care of the righteous. God has spared many nations because of the presence of an oppressed but faithful minority. We have already seen an example of this principle operating at a domestic level in Potiphar's house, which prospered when Joseph was there!

It was God

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Finally, because Joseph believed that everything came directly or indirectly from God, he found it easier to forgive his brothers. Whenever a person sees God ordering both the good and the evil, which they experience then they find it easier to forgive those who have injured them. This does not mean that such individuals are automen, who are not held responsible for their behaviour but we can pity, forgive and pray for them as slaves to their passions and enemies of their own welfare.

Joseph was not only eager to forgive his brothers but he begged them not to be grieved or angry with themselves. Why?

God has used their evil for good.

It was God

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Do you have difficulty forgiving others? Is there someone who has wronged you so badly that you cannot bring yourself even to speak to them because you cannot trust what you might say? You know you ought to forgive them but it is not easy!

Try to step back from the wrong they have done and see it as a part of God's providence. See God's hand in it. Believe in the good God intends to accomplish through it. If you do so you will find your anger Abating and at last you are able to forgive the one who has wronged you so grievously.

It was God

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It has already been suggested that Joseph is a type of Christ, foreshadowing both his person and his work. Further examples are found in the text. The brothers did not realise that the one standing before them was Joseph until he revealed himself. 'Although Joseph recognised his brothers they did not recognise him’ 42.8. Men often fail to recognise the hand of God at work unearthing their secrets and laying bare their sins.

God says, 'It is I who have brought you to a place of brokenness and repentance, it is I who have made you dissatisfied with your past and I who've been at work in your personal history’.

This was the experience of Paul on the Damascus Road! ‘Who are you Lord?’ Acts 9.5

Gospel Parallels

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Think too, of the way in which Joseph loved his brothers when they did not love him. In all he planned and did, he did out of love for them though they did not know it. From the brothers perspective, this Egyptian Lord had treated them harshly. But love could not leave these brothers to their own devices and allow them to remain as they were bound by their sin. It was love that held back revealing himself sooner than he did. The tears Joseph shed were tears of love for his brothers were now changed men!

Jesus often disturbs our lives because he loves us and it pains him to stand back and watch until we too, learn the truth about ourselves. Love is determined to bring the best out of us rather than allow us to hirplefrom one disaster to another.

Think of Peter Lk 22.31

Gospel Parallels

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Everything that happened in the life of Joseph was, unknown to the brothers, geared for their salvation. Even when they had repented of their sin and had been transformed by God’s grace they were still so unaware of what was going on that they feared vengeance at Joseph's hands. They did not know they were saved, while actually fearing that the opposite was the case.

Their attention was so focused upon their guilt and on Joseph’s absolute power that they had not begun to process the wonder of the grace of forgiveness and love that was being showered upon them.

Gospel Parallels

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To the awakened sinner, judgement often seems a more fearful reality than it did in the days of their open rebellion and carelessness. The brothers’ fear of Joseph, resulting from the exposure of their sin, provides evidence that a spiritual awakening had indeed taken place in their hearts. However, they did not recognise this to be the case at the time. Those engaged in pastoral ministry should be sensitive towards those with awakened consciences. They need to have pointed out to them that a conviction of sin is not something that should crush but rather encourage them. It is a “God at Work” sign placed within their hearts.

Gospel Parallels

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Look at Joseph's invitation to his brothers to ‘come’ to him. He calls not as an angry master wishing them harm but as a loving brother wanting their good.

He can encourage because sin has been confessed and repented of. These changed men are called into fellowship with himself.

The call of Christ to ‘come’ can be set over against the command of God given to Adam and Eve to ‘go’ out of the garden of Eden. That command, was a word of judgment, of rejection and marked their Estrangement from God. It is the sin in men's lives, which causes God to say, ‘Depart from me’. It is a fearful thing to be aware ofbeing lost to God. Cf Mk.10.45

Gospel Parallels

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But when men confess and turn from their sin they hear one of the most marvellous words in the Bible, 'come'. We deserve to be driven from God’s presence. But Jesus has died for us! He loves us and bids us come to him. This word which speaks of the removal of burdens and that which causes restlessness of sprit. 'Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.' Matt.11.29.

The word ‘come’ has brought peace to millions of restless hearts and great satisfaction to countless empty souls. If you have never responded to this great invitation come now to Jesus the Saviour.

Conclusion

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