By: Bro. Richard L.

Introduction

In Gen. 3:15…. The Lord, speaks to the serpent, saying; “ I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. The Seed of the woman shall bruise your head, and your seed shall bruise HIS heel.”
Here we see Grace, Mercy and Redemption planted in the promise Seed of Salvation, in which Christ is to restore what was lost in the Garden of Eden.
The seed of Enmity, when planted in our hearts, sprouts to cause division and strife, even to thoughts of murder, as in the case of Joseph and his brothers.

PRAYER THOUGHT

PP.239.2 … The life of Joseph illustrates the life of Christ.
God was with Joseph. He was in the path of duty, suffering wrong but not doing wrong. He therefore had the love and protection of God, for he carried his religious principle into everything he undertook.
Joseph was a Christian gentleman. God was preparing him for a situation of great responsibility, honor, and usefulness, and he was willing to learn the lessons the Lord would teach him. —(Manuscript Releases, vol. 4, pp. 221.1). {CTr 96.7}
When we study the divine character in the light of the cross, we see grace, mercy, tenderness, and forgiveness blended with equity and justice. {AA 333.2}
“Let us see how Joseph illustrates the life of Christ and upholds the promise of Redemption and Salvation as given in Genesis 3:15.”

A robe of honor & DREAMS FROM HEAVEN

Joseph is faithful, living an obedient, respectful, trustworthy and righteous life, and was honored by his father Jacob with a robe made especially for him, (Gen.37:3) This robe caused the spirit of jealousy to sprout among his brothers, and his dreams planted the spirit of envy which led them into the domain of evil, trapping them to fall into sin’s domain.

TESTING 1,2,3

Here is a brief review of the storms and trials that Joseph faithfully experienced:
The betrayal of his brothers,
(2) Being sold as a slave to Patiphar, and
(3) Being put in prison.
( PP 213.2), tells us how “Joseph felt unprepared to cope with the difficulties before him, being a slave in a strange land. Yet, he turned his thoughts unto his father’s God and to His promises.”

IN EACH TEST, GOD WAS GLORIFIED

1. In each scenario, Joseph gave Glory to God by the witness
   of his faith and the declaration of his God.
2. First, by appealing to his brothers that their actions were
   against the Lord God. (Gen. 42:21)
3. Then as a slave in Potiphar’s house, while keeping his
   fidelity to God, he did not conceal his principles, yet kept
   his integrity in all his work, and openly worshipped his
   God, Jehovah.
   “And the Lord was with Joseph, and prospered him.” (Gen. 39:2)

“We saw” the lord was with him

And his master SAW that THE LORD WAS WITH HIM, and THAT THE LORD MADE ALL THAT HE DID TO PROSPER. (Gen.39:3)
3a) And his master’s wife heard the Lord’s warnings, as Joseph witnessed before her these words: “ because you are my master’s wife, how then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

“ INTEGRITY “

“ IT IS YOU LORD WHO UPHOLDEST ME IN MINE INTEGRITY, AND SETTEST ME BEFORE THY RIGHTIOUNESS FOREVER. Ps. 41:12
4) Even in prison, Joseph’s character shines out, while holding fast his faith and patience. He had the peace that comes from ‘CONSCIOUS INNOCENCE’ and ‘HE TRUSTED HIS CASE WITH GOD’. (PP 218.2)
His Witness and Integrity gave him favor IN THE SIGHT of the keeper of the prison, who committed all the prisoners into Joseph’s hand, and SAW THAT THE LORD WAS WITH HIM. (Gen. 39:21-23)

WITNESSING THROUGH DREAMS

Joseph witnessed to the Pharaoh’s butler and baker by declaring that all interpretations belong to God and that their lives were in His Hands. (Gen.40:8)
It was the part he acted in the prison, applying the integrity of his daily life and showing sympathy for those who were in trouble and distress that “OPENED THE WAY FOR HIS FUTURE PROSPERITY AND HONOR.” (PP.218.2)

THE PROMISE OF BLESSINGS & PROSPERITY FULFILLED TO GIVE GOD GLORY.

*** Here we see how Joseph overcame the trials and temptations of these tests. By claiming the Promises of God, and in the faith and obedience planted by the faith of his fathers, he received the blessings of God and prospered.
Here we see the seed planted in Joseph, sprouted to prepare him not only to save the world, but to forgive his brothers.

ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

We now see that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord, for it is God’s will that all men should be saved. (1Tim.2:4)
Joseph, being made lord over all the land and the people, and blessed with the prosperity of so much corn to feed the world, that it could no longer be numbered, was blessed with a wife and settled down to enjoy the fruits of faith and his labors.

Joseph settles down

An important point is brought out in the following verse, which will bring Restoration and healing through the Grace and Mercies that come through forgiveness.
Joseph names his first son Manasseh, saying;
“ God has MADE ME FORGET all my toil,
and ALL of MY FATHER’S HOUSE.” (Gen. 41:51)

REPENTANCE, SURRENDER, FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION BEGINS (Gen. 42-44)

God had caused a famine in the land of Canaan,
forcing Jacob to sent his 10 sons to go buy corn from
Egypt. (Gen. 42:5)
2) It came upon their entering Egypt to buy corn, that
Joseph recognizes these men to be his brothers. (42:6-9)
3) The test begins when Joseph is moved in listening to his brother’s story, (Gen. 42:9-18) during which he accuses them 3 times of being spies, and puts them in prison for 3 days. This instigated a deep ’soul-searching ’ experience among his brothers like none ever before. (PP..225.4)

IT IS YOU LORD WHO HOLD ME IN MY INTEGRITY. PS. 41:12

Joseph hoped to see if the sons of Jacob had changed in character. (PP 225.3) and wanted to PROVE THEIR INTEGRITY, to see if there was truth in their words, being the true men they claimed to be.
And on the 3rd day, Joseph said unto them, “THIS DO, AND LIVE. FOR I FEAR GOD!” (42:18)
2nd test. The soul searching continues (Gen. 42:20, 21) when they are asked to bring their youngest brother back with them to see if their words are true,
“that they should not die”

WE ARE JUDGED BY OUR SINS

In verse 21 we hear the brothers say to one another: “We are truly guilty of our sin concerning our bother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us and we would not hear: therefore is this distress come upon us.”
And Reuben said, “ Did I not tell you not to sin against the child and you would not hear? Now his blood is required of us.” (We are found guilty)

“GUILT IS CAUSE FOR FEAR”

The Seed of Repentance is planted in the conscience of the brothers, and the inspired wisdom of Joseph in commanding to restore every man’s money in their sack of corn causes their hearts to fail them, and they were afraid saying, “What is this that God has done unto us? ( Gen.42:28) ( Fear caused by guilt)
“For the Word of God is sharper than any Two edged sword, even piercing into the conscience of men.

FAITH CONTINUES ITS WORK TILL THE GRAVE

5) In (Gen.42:29-38; 43:1-14) We see Jacob must once again experience his need to surrender and to trust in God. He points his pain to his sons saying, “ye have bereaved me of my children, Joseph, Simeon and now you ask to take Benjamin from me. All these things are against me.” (Vs.36)
In Vs.14, Jacob declares: “ Let God Almighty give us mercy. If I must be bereaved of my children, than I am bereaved.” (ACCEPT and SURRENDER)

SEND THE LAD WITH US THAT WE , AND THOU, and OUR CHILDREN MAY LIVE. Gen.43:8_

Judah informs his father ”that the man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, “Ye shall not see my face except your brother be with you.” Gen. 43:3
Trying to comfort his father, Reuben offers his 2 sons to be slain if he cannot bring Benjamin back to him. {Gen. 42:37}
Then Judah offers to be security for the return of Benjamin, and if he bring him not back unto Jacob, that he would bear the blame forever. {Gen. 43:9}

SEEING IS BELIEVING

(Gen. 43:15-34) The brothers rose up, took Benjamin, and return to Egypt. And when Joseph saw Benjamin, he was filled with joy and invited them to dine with him at noon.
(Vs. 18) And the brothers were AFRAID, for they feared it was a trap to make them slaves because of the money found in their sacks, that could be used against them accusing them to be thieves.

THE MERCIES OF GOD ARE SEEN

They tried to explain the situation to the Steward of Joseph’s house, hoping for reprieve, and the Steward replied,
“PEACE BE TO YOU, FEAR NOT: FOR YOUR GOD HAS GIVEN YOU TREASURE IN YOUR SACKS: I HAD YOUR MONEY PAID FOR.” (God shows His Mercies & Provisions)
They gave Joseph his present, and bowed themselves down to the earth and made obeisance to him.

TASTE & SEE THAT THE LORD IS GRACIOUS. 1PET.2:3

And Joseph saw his brother Benjamin and said,
“GOD BE GRACIOUS UNTO YOU MY SON.”
He was so moved by seeing his brother, that he went into his chamber and wept there. Gen. {43:29,30}

RESTORATION AND HEALING

{PP. 231-233} Joseph could not refrain himself from standing before his brothers any longer, and he cried, and said,
“ I AM JOSEPH “ Does my father yet live? They stood motionless, dumb with fear and amazement. They remembered the dreams that haunted them to jealousy, and the awful way they had treated him. Now they were completely in his power, and they feared he would avenge the wrong that he had suffered. {Jacob’s Time of Trouble}
They hear again the words, “I AM JOSEPH YOUR BROTHER “ whom you sold in Egypt.
Now therefore be not grieved nor angry with yourselves, for God did send me before you “TO PRESERVE LIFE and TO PRESERVE YOU A PROSPERITY in the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
He kissed all his brethren and wept with them, and they confessed their sins and entreated his forgiveness.

CONFESS YOUR SINS ONE TO ANOTHER, AND PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, THAT YOU MAY BE HEALED. JAMES 5:16

Another act remained for the 10 brothers. They too must confess to their father the deceit and cruelty that had embittered his life for so many years.
When Jacob saw how the hand of God had moved upon life, he forgave and blessed his erring children.
The life of Joseph illustrates the life of Christ, who fulfilled the promise planted in the Seed of Genesis 3:15, blessing the world with a Saviour that loves us so much, that He gave His life to redeem us unto Himself; fulfilling the will of God, that through the Plan of Salvation, found in Grace, should all be saved.

CLOSING THOUGHT

6T. 227 Wonderful is the work which God designs to accomplish through His servants, that His name may be glorified.
*** Now all these things happened unto them for enxamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. {1 Cor. 10:11}

Men whom God favored, and to whom He entrusted great responsibilities, were sometimes overcome by temptation and committed sin, even as we at the present day strive, waver, and frequently fall into error. Their lives, with all their faults and follies, are open before us, both for our encouragement and warning. If they had been represented as without fault, we, with our sinful nature, might despair at our own mistakes and failures. But seeing where others struggled through discouragements like our own, where they fell under temptations as we have done, and yet took heart again and conquered through the grace of God, we are encouraged in our striving after righteousness. As they, though sometimes beaten back, recovered their ground, and were blessed of God, so we too may be overcomers in the strength of Jesus. { PP. 238.2 }

Wonderful is the work which God designs to accomplish through His servants, that His name may be glorified. God made Joseph a fountain of life to the Egyptian nation. Through Joseph the life of that people was preserved. Through Daniel God saved the life of all the wise men of Babylon. And these deliverances were as object lessons; they illustrated to the people the spiritual blessings offered them through connection with the God whom Joseph and Daniel worshiped. So through His people today God desires to bring blessings to the world. Every worker in whose heart Christ abides, everyone who will show forth His love to the world, is a worker together with God for the blessing of humanity. As we receives from the Saviour grace to impart to others, from our whole being flows forth the tide of spiritual life. Christ came as the Great Physician to heal the wounds that sin has made in the human family; and His Spirit, working through His servants, imparts to sin-sick, suffering human beings a mighty healing power that is efficacious for the body and the soul. “In that day,” says the Scriptures, “there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” Zechariah 13:1. {6T.227.2}

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