JOSEPH: SHOW AND TELL

(Genesis 45:1-9)

…Perhaps you were like me in that one of my favorite things of elementary school was “Show and Tell.”  Often the

  things showed were known and common, but occasionally there were some huge surprises…

…Today we come to the climax of Joseph’s story, and it unfolds a stunning shock and surprise for the brothers. 

  You might say, it was the ultimate “Show and Tell.” 

…With tension building for 9 chapters, Joseph finally tells his brothers who he really is.  This chapter teaches

  us of God’s wonderful PROVIDENCE, and of true forgiveness which leads to reconciliation.

TWO INSIGHTS FROM JOSEPH’S BIG SURPRISE CAUSING US TO SEE GOD’S GOOD HAND IN OUR LIVES.

…For the Lord continues to work out His GOOD PURPOSE in us even when bad things happen!!!!

I.      At Times, We, Like Joseph’s Brothers, Are Surprised By Life. (vv.1-4)

                A.            As Judah pleads for Benjamin and for his father, Joseph is completely overcome.

                                (vv. 1-2)   In a burst of emotion, Joseph puts all but his brothers out of the room.  This was a

                                family matter. 

                                1.             Joseph suddenly weeps with LOUD cries.  “There were few more dramatic movements

                                                than this in all history.” (Boice) 

                                2.             He had kept his emotions bottled up while God worked through him to bring about

                                                conviction of sin and conversion in their lives.  But, now it was time to show himself.

                B.             He tells them, “I am Joseph.”  (vv.3-4)

                                1.             His brothers were so shocked by this, they were stunned into silence…speechless!

                                                …so he tells them a second time:  “I am your brother Joseph…the one you sold.”  (4)

                                2.             They were terrified, as they backed away from him, thinking the worst…

                                3.             Yet, they are surprised he was not an angry master, but a loving brother.

                                                …verse 15, tells that he kissed “all his brothers and  wept over them.”  WOW!!!

                C.             In this, Joseph strongly parallels Jesus. 

                                1.             Joseph KNEW his brothers before they knew him.  Jesus knows us completely…

                                2.             Joseph LOVED his brothers when they did not love him.  Jesus loved us first…

                                3.             Joseph SAVED them before they were aware of their salvation.  Jesus did for us…

                                4.             Joseph CALLED his brothers when they would have preferred to run from him. Jesus…

II.     At All Times, We, Like Joseph, Must Know That God Is In Charge. (vv. 5-9)        

                …For God’s hand is in every event of our lives bringing about His good purpose.  (Romans 8:28)

                A.            “Joseph’s single greatest ability was to relate everything to God.”  (Boice)  So often in this

                                narrative when Joseph speaks, he tells of “God.”   

                B.             He tells his brothers “don’t be distressed and angry with yourselves.” (v. 5)  They were

                                certainly the agents in getting Joseph to Egypt, but ultimately, it was God who sent him.

                                1.             They were responsible and accountable, but God would work through their evil to

                                                bring about His good purpose. 

                                2.             The certainty that God’s will, not man’s, is the controlling reality in every event,

                                                became the foundation for reconciliation between them.

                C.             Joseph tells them repeatedly that God is the one ultimately in charge…(4 times he tells…”God”)

                                …”God sent me ahead of you,” (v.5)  “God sent me ahead of you,” (v. 7)  “It was not you who sent

                                  me, but God,” (v.8)  “God has made me Lord of all Egypt,” (v.9)

                D.            Later, he would tell them again, (50:20) “you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”

                                …this is the same thing when our Lord was crucified.  (Acts 2:23)  “this man(Jesus) was handed

                                  over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and YOU, with the help of wicked men,

                                  put HIM to death by nailing Him to the cross.” 

                E.             Joseph’s perspective made all the difference…God was at work in his life…to bring about GOOD.

                                …We need to remember this when hard times come.   In all of it, God has a purpose, whether we

                                  can see it at that moment or not, and He will bring it about.  Trust Him.

                                …We too must forgive those who wrong us by seeing God’s hand in it.  He is in charge of all!!!