Genesis 41:46-42:25 – Joseph – God Builds a Man (Part 6). Joseph, a Prefigure of King Jesus, meets his brothers as they come to Egypt desperate for grain. Although Joseph’s brothers don’t recognize him, Joseph knows who they are and reveals incredible discernment through his plan of reconciliation. Joseph’s brother’s are stricken with guilt, but Joseph has a heart to restore their relationship and provide for their families! Pastor David’s sermon from Genesis 41:46-42:25 – Joseph – God Builds a Man (Part 6), reveals the power of forgiveness and the heart of Jesus who pursues us with compassion for the purpose of eternal reconciliation!
Joseph’s life is a prophecy about JESUS & ISRAEL
“Just as it is written: “God has given them (Israel) a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.”
Romans 11:8 NKJV
“Pause and wonder! Blind yourselves and be blind! They (Israel) are drunk, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with intoxicating drink. For the LORD has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, namely, the seers. The whole vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one who is literate, saying, “Read this, please.” And he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” Then the book is delivered to one who is illiterate, saying, “Read this, please.” And he says, “I am not literate.”Isaiah 29:9–12 NKJV
“For I do not desire, brethren (the Church), that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And (then) all Israel will be saved, as it is written.”
Romans 11:25–26 NKJV
Joseph – a prophetic prefigure of King Jesus
1) The beloved son, sent to Israel’s tribes by the father on a mission of love.
2) Rejected by his own brethren (Tribes of Israel)
3) His tunic taken by the captors
4) Beaten and left for dead
5) Sold to gentiles for a few pieces of silver (the price of a slave)
6) Falsely accused and arrested (Potiphar).
7) Preached to the spirits in prison. (Eph 4:8-10, 1Pet 3:18-19)
(to one a message of Salvation, to one a message of judgment)
8) Savior of the world.
9) Began his public ministry at 30 years of age.
10) An alleged criminal instantly raised to power, then seated at the right hand.
11) Given a name meaning: God Speaks and saves lives.
12) Every knee must bow. (Gen 41:43, Phil 2:10)
13) Espoused to a Gentile Bride.
14) His children are: “God has made me forget (sin)”
and “God has caused me to be fruitful”
15) He is Lord of the present harvest age.
16) He is Lord of the coming seven-year Tribulation.
17) Israel is blind, unable to recognize the Savior King who is their brother.
GUILT is a heavy burden to carry
LEARNING OTHERS’ STORIES fills the heart with COMPASSION
A follower of God PURSUES RECONCILIATION
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Romans 5:8, 10 NKJV
FORGIVENESS PRECEDES RECONCILIATION
“Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…”
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV
Joseph employs a PATIENT PLAN of RECONCILIATION
A patient plan of reconciliation is:
1) Slow to Speak – Quick to Listen
2) Others Centered
3) Has Realistic Expectations
4) Stays FOCUSED on Reconciliation
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
James 1:19–20 NKJV
“Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.”
Proverbs 13:3 NLT
God is still WORKING – when things appear to get worse
