JOSEPH: GOD SPEAKS TO THE CONSCIENCE  (PART 2)

(Genesis 42:17-35)

…I have had the joy of being in Alaska where when Spring comes, they call it “the breaking.”  Alaska has the hard-

  est winter of all the states, so when Spring arrives, giving the appearance of new life, there is great celebration.

  This is what happens when God’s Spirit begins to blow upon sin-hardened consciences.  At first a trickle, then a

  torrent until there is remorse, confession, cleansing, and new life.

…This was what was happening to Joseph’s brothers.  God began to deal with these hardened men by causing them

  to be in NEED.  So they went to Egypt.  Next, they’re treated with HARSH WORDS and handled roughly.  Note

  the successive steps by which the brothers were brought into a position of forgiveness and blessing. 

TWO MORE METHODS USED BY GOD TO SPEAK TO THE CONSCIENCE DRAWING US TO THE CONFESSION OF SIN.

…The Lord, through Joseph, with increasing measures, was drawing them to Himself.

I.      God Uses Solitude In Our Lives To Speak To Our Consciences. (vv.17-24)

                …If you fill your life with noise and busyness, you will not hear God’s voice!

                A.            Joseph put his 10 brothers in prison.  (v. 17)   SOLITUDE!!!!  

                                1.             He put them there for only 3 days, not 3 years like he experienced. 

                                2.             Joseph might have be re-enacting his experience with them at the pit to speak

                                                to their consciences.

                                                …”God uses solitude in prison to set them apart from life’s demands and gives them

                                                  time to awaken to his displeasure.”

                                3.             This time spent alone in jail would prove to be a great gift, for the ice of their

                                                rebellion was melting and their sin against their brother was working its way to

                                                the surface of their minds.

                                                …solitude often awakens our guilt and refreshes our memory.

                                4.             We know this solitude had its effectiveness because after their release for the first

                                                time they confessed what they did to Joseph.  (vv. 21-22) 

                B.             Solitude is a valuable GIFT of God, even when there is no particularly great sin to be exposed.

                                …”in solitude people meet God.”  (Boice) 

                                1.             One of the reasons for the shallowness of much of our modern church life is that we

                                                have so little solitude.  Possessions, and busyness keep us from growing in Christ.

                                2.             It is frequently in the stillness of solitude that we hear that still but persistent

                                                small voice of God’s Spirit.  That’s why we call it your “quiet time with the Lord.”

                                3.             If Jesus sensed the need to be alone with His Father, how much more do we?

                                                (Mark 1:35-37)   “Early in the morning…Jesus got up…went to a solitary place…prayed”

                                4.             God uses solitude to speak to our consciences.  Turn off the noise…listen...respond! 

II.     God Uses Kindness To Break Our Hardened Consciences. (vv. 25-35)

                …For we are the recipients of undeserved expressions of grace!!!

                A.            After Joseph had Simeon bound and imprisoned, he treated the others with great kindness.

                                1.             Joseph filled all their bags with the grain they desperately needed… (v. 25)

                                                …even after accusing them of being “spies.”

                                2.             Joseph had his men return their money, placing it in the bags of grain.

                                3.             Finally, Joseph gave them provisions for the 250- mile trip back home…(3 weeks)

                B.             Later when they discovered money in the bag, they were afraid.  Their words mention “God.”

                                This is the first time in the Bible where we find them speaking of Him.  (v. 28) They felt guilt.

                                …Furthermore, they begin to see that it is God Who is dealing with them.  That He is controlling

                                  the circumstances of their lives.  “God has not forgotten our sin.”  “He sees.”  “He remembers.”

                C.             Paul also spoke of God’s KINDNESS to us.  When we consider how GOOD He is to us, it ought to

                                melt our hard consciences, brings us to repentance and obedience.  (Romans 2:4)     

                                …”God’s kindness leads us to repentance.” 

                                …Prize the little touches of tender love…which reveal the heart of Jesus.  This is God drawing

                                  us back to Himself.  Respond to His mercy, or He will deal sternly with you to bring you back!

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES: