Genesis 44:1-34

Genesis Study 126

A NEW JUDAH

Genesis 44:1-34
Key verse 44:33
"Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers."

Few days ago, some of us bought their new shoes. With the new shoes they looked quite fresh. We like something new— a new song, a new dress, a new mobile, a new scooter, and a new year. In today's passage we see a man who received a new thing. The man's name is Judah and the new thing he received was a new life. An old Judah became a new Judah. Do you want to live a new life? Do you want to be a new person? May God teach us the secret today.

About 4000 years ago, there was a father whose name was Jacob. He had four wives and twelve sons. His eleventh son Joseph and twelfth son Benjamin were born of Rachel whom Jacob loved most. So he loved Joseph much more than other sons. Out of jealousy Joseph's elder brothers sold him as a slave. But they told their father that Joseph was eaten by a ferocious animal. Since then twenty two long years had passed. By God's marvellous grace Joseph was raised to be the ruler of Egypt, the superpower of ancient world. A severe famine struck the whole world. Joseph's ten elder brothers went down to Egypt to buy food. Joseph recognized them but they did not. Then he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. He put all of them in custody. After three days he released them all except his second elder brother Simeon. All these things made them recall what they had done to Joseph in the past. They came to fear God and his judgment. Joseph gave them grains but ordered them to bring their youngest brother Benjamin. In their second journey to Egypt, they took Benjamin along with them and met Joseph. They were invited to have dinner with Joseph, the governor of the land. There was no trail of famine on the dining table. Food and drinks were served without limit. However Joseph still pretended to be a stranger. Today's passage begins after the feast was over.
Verses 1 to 5 are Joseph's instructions to his steward. Joseph said to him to provide abundant grains and silver for his brothers. At the same time he directed his steward to put his silver cup in the mouth of Benjamin's sack. Early in the morning the brothers began their journey back to their homeland. This was a happy return. Everyone was safe and sound. Their bags were full of grains. They kept talking about the governor's food and his generosity. Asher was smiling because he secretly packed the delicious food in his polythene bag. Naphtali was singing with his beautiful voice. But suddenly everyone was frightened because Joseph's steward caught them up. It was Joseph who sent him to question about his silver cup.
In verses 6 to 13, we see the brothers returning to Joseph. Without knowing anything, they said to the steward, "Far be it from your servants to do anything like that! If any of your servants is found to have the silver cup, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves." But the steward replied, "Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame." When the search was made, the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Joseph's elder brothers were free from blame. But they tore their clothes. They took Benjamin's blame upon themselves. They were free to go back to their homeland. But they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city where judgment was waiting.
In verses 14 to 17, we hear the ten brothers' confession of sin and Joseph's verdict. When they came to Joseph's house, they threw themselves to the ground before him. When Joseph rebuked them, Judah the fourth elder brother replied, "What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants' guilt. We are now my lord's slaves—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup." Judah was saying they were innocent yet guilty. They were innocent in this cup case. But they were guilty before God because of what they had done to Joseph. They admitted their sin and were ready to accept slavery as God's punishment. But Joseph said, "Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace." If they don't go back to their homeland, everyone there will die of hunger. What should they do?
Look at verse 18. Then Judah went up to Joseph and said, "Please my lord, let your servant speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself." From verses 19 to 32, he explained to Joseph how precious Benjamin was to his father Jacob. Benjamin was Jacob's only son left among the two sons of his most beloved wife. Judah was more than sure that his father would die of sorrow if Benjamin did not return home.
In the past Judah did not care about all these things. All he cared about was money and romance. He was the one who sold Joseph as a slave for twenty silver coins. He did not care how much his brother would suffer in slavery life. He did not care how much his father's heart would be broken at the loss of his most beloved son. Even after this terrible event, he was just busy to date with his girl friend. She did not fear the God of the Bible. But he didn't bother. His father asked him to cut off his relationship with her. But Judah cut off his relationship with his father and left the family. He married his girl friend and had three sons. But his sons were so wicked that two of them were put to death by the Lord. After the death of his wife, Judah ran after prostitutes. One day he even slept with his daughter-in-law whom he thought a prostitute. When he came to know about her pregnancy he ordered his servants to burn her to death. Judah became a stranger both to God and humanity. He was worse than a ferocious animal. He devoured his brother, his father, his wife, his sons, and his daughter-in-law. Can we expect anything good from such person?
But we see God's miracle in verses 33 and 34. Let's read together. "Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father." Now Judah's only concern was Benjamin's safe return and his father's peace. Even if his father would not feel sorry about him, it was okay with Judah. If only his father could rejoice over the safe return of Benjamin, Judah was more than happy. Instead of living as a selfish and cruel son to his father, he chose to live as a slave for his father's happiness. In the past he sought happiness by sacrificing others for his sake. But now he gladly sacrifices himself for others' sake. From there he found true peace and joy. At last the image of God's love was restored in him. He became a new Judah. God blessed him to be the leader of all the tribes of Israel. Jesus came through Judah's line. If Judah took Benjamin's blame, Jesus took all our sins upon himself. He laid down his life on the cross for our sake. He set us free from the eternal bondage of sin and death. He sacrificed himself to guarantee our safe return to our heavenly Father. Before sending this wonderful Jesus, God prepared one man Judah's heart. God chose the worst and made him the best.
God has many kinds of powers—power to create everything, power to sustain everything, power to know everything and many more. But among all his powers we are amazed at his power to change the worst into the best. According to the law of nature, every new thing becomes old. A new born baby becomes an old man. A new house becomes an old house. A new fish becomes a rotten fish. They recycle waste papers and make a new carry bag. But the new carry bag again becomes a waste. This is the law of nature. But in God we find a new law. An old thing becomes a new thing. An old self becomes a new self. A selfish man becomes a sacrificial man. A pleasure seeking woman becomes a prayer mother. The worst becomes the best. This is the law of God. Is here anybody worse than the old Judah? God will make you better than the new Judah. God promised in Ezekiel 36:26, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you." The God of Judah has unlimited power to change us. He will make us the best people of God. Do you see someone worse than you and worse than Judah? God can make him the best servant of God. Let us always see ourselves and others in God of Judah.

Genesis 43:1-34

Genesis Study 125

JOSEPH'S SPIRITUAL LOVE

Genesis 43:1-34
Key verse 43:30
"Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there."

Ever since God trained Joseph's brothers they were in deep troubles. But the troubles were for their own good. They had expected that the famine would be over soon. The grains they brought from Egypt seemed be sufficient. But now the grains were over. Yet the famine was still severe.

Look at verses 2 to 7. Jacob said to his sons, "Go back and buy us a little more food." But Judah replied that they would not see the governor of Egypt unless Benjamin was with them. Jacob was in dilemma. Even if he might lose Simeon, he did not want to lose his beloved youngest son. But if the famine continued everyone would die of hunger including Benjamin.

Look at verses 8 to 10. Then Judah said to his father, "I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life." We see here some changes in Judah's heart. In the past he was so selfish and materialistic. He didn't mind to sell his own brother for money. Instead of seeking truth he sought pleasure. He dated with an ungodly woman and married her. God put his two wicked sons to death. But he remained senseless. He slept with a woman whom he thought a shrine prostitute. He made his daughter-in-law pregnant but ordered to have her burned to death. He made many people's lives miserable including his father, his brother, his sons and his daughter-in-law. But he didn't care a bit. At the same time he thought he was better than others. He was so irresponsible and self-righteous.
But now we see some remarkable changes in him. First, he overcame jealousy. Among all the sons of Jacob, Judah was the only person who lost his wife and two sons. This made him understand the pain his father was carrying after losing Rachel and Joseph. Judah had special attachment to his only son Shelah. So his father's special attachment to Benjamin was not strange to him. Second, he became a man of responsibility. In the past he did not care about even his own soul. But now he cared about the lives of all people and all animals in his father's house. He was ready to sacrifice his very life to save them from the famine. God who began this beautiful work in Judah's heart would surely complete it. We can see Judah's heart-moving repentance in the next chapter. The God of Judah is the God of hope. He never gives up even the worst sinner. He changes a hopeless sinner into a hopeful servant of God.

Look at verses 11 to 14. Judah's inner change convinced his father. So Jacob allowed his sons to take Benjamin. He told them to give the governor the best products of the land as a gift and double the amount of silver. But we are surprised to see the scale of his gift. We remember how grand his gift was to his brother Esau. But this time he was sending a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds. This gift was little bigger than what shepherd James received from his company on Diwali. Here we see some changes in Jacob's heart. He said, "May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved." Instead of relying on gift he relied on God Almighty. By faith he gave up his human attachment to Benjamin. He entrusted his son's life in God's mighty hands. Then God richly blessed his decision of faith. He received back his twelve sons safe and sound. God raised them as the sources of blessing for all mankind. There is always one thing we never want to give up. But this one thing makes us go hungry. This one thing blocks all God's blessings. But when we give it up by faith, we receive God's abundant blessings. For someone his ego is most important. He can give up many things but not his ego. For some other person, her marriage dream is like Benjamin to Jacob. Even if she can give up her identity as God's child, she can't give up her Benjamin. As a result they suffer from severe spiritual famine. By giving up Benjamin, Jacob lost no one and nothing. He received back everyone and everything. May God help us learn Jacob's decision of faith.

Look at verses 15 to 22. Now Joseph's brothers hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph. They were invited to have dinner with Joseph in his house. But this invitation frightened them. They thought it was a trap to seize them as salves and take their donkeys. Inside Joseph's house, a grand party was ready for them. But they were busy making many excuses not to enter the house. They were standing there like stubborn donkeys. In the house of God, abundant blessings are waiting for us. But we fear to take God's invitation. We think we may lose what we are enjoying today. But God invites us not to make us his slaves but to give us eternal freedom. As the donkeys were nothing to Joseph, our small possessions are nothing to God. In fact he invites us to give us his whole kingdom. May God help us accept his invitation and enjoy his heavenly party.

Look at verses 23 to 34. The steward of Joseph said to them, "It's all right. Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasures in your sacks; I received your silver." Then he brought Simeon out to them. The steward took the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. When Joseph came home they presented to him their gifts. Joseph asked about his father's safety. Then he saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son. He asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" The last moment Joseph saw his brother was when Benjamin was about seven years old. Since then Benjamin grew up without his mother and his real brother. Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there. After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, "Serve the food." When Joseph saw his brothers' skinny faces and ragged clothes, his heart was broken. But he controlled himself to help them repent before God. God lacks nothing. He is God Almighty and the Creator of the universe. But he withholds material help or worldly success. It is because he wants us to repent and receive his spiritual blessings first.
While having dinner, Joseph's brothers were seated in the order of their ages. They looked at each other in astonishment. They sensed God's presence. Benjamin's portion was five times as much as anyone else's. But they did not envy him. Instead they feasted and drank freely with Joseph. It was because they realized that they did not deserve even for a cup of water. Real joy does not come from special treatment. It comes from thanksgiving. To be truly joyful we don't need God's special treatment. We only need to realize that we don't deserve even for the smallest things. This will help us thank God always. Our daily life will be a feast with God. May the God of Judah be our God and change us day by day. May God help us feast with him in thanksgiving.

Genesis 41:1-57

Genesis Study 123

PHARAOH'S DREAMS

Genesis 41:1-57
Key verse 41:32
"The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon."

Last week we studied that Joseph interpreted the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. The things turned out exactly as he had interpreted. The cupbearer was restored to his position and the baker was hanged. Since then two full years had passed. Today's passage is one of the most dramatic events in the Bible: In one day a slave prisoner became the Prime Minister of ancient Egypt. May God grant us his messages into our hearts.

Look at verses 1 to 7. In his dream Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, was standing by the Nile. In those days Pharaoh was considered as the god of gods and the Nile the mother of all gods. So the scene of Pharaoh standing by the Nile was the sign of great prosperity. In his dream the king saw seven cows, sleek and fat, coming out of the river, and they grazed among the reeds. It was so pleasing to see them. After them, seven other cows, very ugly and skinny, came up out of the Nile and ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. But even after they ate them, they looked just as ugly as before. Then Pharaoh woke up in a cold sweat.
He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up again and could not sleep anymore.

Look at verses 8 to 16. In the morning Pharaoh's mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. These were the people who developed technologies that built pyramids and made mummies. Such technologies are amazing in our time. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. If he tells his dreams to our modern scientists and psychologists, will they be able to interpret the dreams for him? Here is the limitation of worldly knowledge. The dream given by God can be interpreted only by God.
Then the chief cupbearer recommended Joseph to Pharaoh. So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." This was Joseph's only chance. So he could have told Pharaoh, "Your Majesty. I have two years experience in the field of dream interpretation. My accuracy rate is 100%. Please tell me your dreams I will interpret them." But he said, "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Hearing such reply Pharaoh could have been angry with Joseph, "God? What God? Am I not the God of gods?" But Joseph was not afraid of Pharaoh. He believed even Pharaoh must know the only true God and obey him.

Look at verses 17 to 24. God moved Pharaoh's heart to be humble before the God of Joseph. So he narrated his dreams to Joseph. Who was Pharaoh? He was the king of Egypt, the most powerful nation in ancient world. Who was Joseph? He was nothing but a slave prisoner. But now the most powerful person was relying on the most powerless person. It was because the Lord was with Joseph. In speaking Egyptian language Joseph was not as fluent as the native Egyptians. In scientific knowledge he was far inferior to Egyptian scientists. But he knew how to rely on God for every matter. While others were busy in building up their worldly knowledge, Joseph devoted himself in learning the true God. He grew to be a man of prayer and man of faith. Then at the most crucial time he could help even the most powerful one in the world.

Look at verses 25 to 32. Here Joseph gives his interpretation. He said to Pharaoh, "God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows and the seven good heads of grain are seven years of abundance. The seven lean, ugly cows and the seven worthless heads of grain are seven years of famine. God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then the abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon." In his interpretation Joseph repeatedly testified about God, "God has revealed…God has shown…firmly decided by God…God will do it soon." This was the secret why God used Joseph. God is happy to use a man whose only concern is to reveal God.
Why did God firmly decide to bring such great abundance and terrible famine to Egypt? God's purpose was not to destroy the nation. If so, he would not have revealed his plan to Pharaoh in dreams. God saw how the Egyptians were worshiping Pharaoh, the Nile and many other gods. He saw how much they were proud of their wealth and achievement. They all should perish and be thrown into hell. But in his mercy God made a fourteen years plan to teach them that the God of Joseph is the only true God. When Joseph's interpretation came true people would know that the God of Joseph rules the world. God wanted to turn their hearts to him so that they might be saved from his eternal judgment. Do we see any abundance or famine in our personal lives? It is to teach us that God rules our lives. When we see any abundance, let us turn to God in praise. When we see any famine, let us turn to God in prayer. God will show us a way to life.

Look at verses 33 to 36. Joseph advised Pharaoh, "Now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine." As for Joseph, Egypt was the land of suffering and Egyptians were cruel slave masters. But he loved them. He cared for them. He never wanted anyone to perish by the famine. He had God's heart.
If the Egyptians in Joseph's time should prepare themselves for the seven years of famine, what should we prepare for? We should prepare for the eternal judgment of God. Some people enjoy seventy years of wealth while living on earth. Some enjoy seventy years of human recognition and some seventy years of power. But one day everyone should die and face God's judgment that will last forever. Just one second in hell will make us forget all the pleasures and glories of our present lives. Whether Pharaoh had believed Joseph's interpretation or not, the seven years of famine would surely follow the seven years of abundance. In the same way whether we believe it or not, eternal judgment of God will surely come after our earthly lives. God granted seven years of abundance to the Egyptians so that they might store up enough grain to survive through the seven years of famine. Now why did God give us seventy years of life? It is to store up his truth in our hearts before his judgment begins. But even after hearing Joseph's interpretation if the Egyptians squandered away their grains and time, what would happen to them? They would surely perish by the famine. Listening to Sunday message is as important as listening to Joseph's interpretation. But until and unless we store up God's truth in our hearts it is of no use. In order to store up grains the Egyptians should work hard and bring a fifth of harvest to their storerooms. In the same way in order to store up God's truth we need to personally meditate on his word and obey it. Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." May God have mercy on us to spend our time and energy to store up his truth in our hearts.

Look at verses 37 to 44. Joseph's plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, "Make way!" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt." By appointing Joseph as the Prime Minister of Egypt, Pharaoh humbly entrusted himself and his kingdom into the hands of God. He did not trust in the Nile anymore. Since then he could enjoy sweet sleep every night. Many people hear the message of God. But very few people let God rule over their lives. Instead even after hearing the message of God, they let their pride and ego rule over themselves. So there is no change in their lives. They remain same all the time or even become worse day by day. Pharaoh could have despised Joseph. But he made Joseph his own shepherd and the shepherd of his nation. So God saved and blessed him and his nation. By humbly listening to our shepherds' spiritual advice we can be under God's ruling and care.

Look at verses 45 to 57. Joseph could have enjoyed his wealth and power. Or he could have revenged himself on his brothers and Mrs. Potiphar. But he forgave all people. He accepted others as his own sheep and worked hard to save their lives from the coming famine. He accepted his Prime Minister post as God-given mission. God blessed him with two sons and Joseph praised God for his blessings.
After the seven years of abundance, the seven years of famine began. But there was enough food in Egypt for all nations. It was because there in Egypt was one God-fearing man Joseph. Just one man of faith was more than enough to save all nations in his time. May God bless us to store up his truth in our hearts everyday so that we may save this generation. May God grow us to be like Joseph in our time.