Genesis 45 Forgiveness and Family Reunion.pdf

I. Introduction and review.Forgiveness and a Family Reunion. Genesis 45 8/7/05 #6A. Family reunions can be strange events.1. Sometimes bring together people who haven’t seen each other in years (on purpose!) .2. Years: history: conflicts, hurt feelings under: surface. Sometimes cold. Sometimes erupt3. Today: Family reunion: House of Jacob.B. Context: Family of Israel: dysfunctional for > 20 years1. Jealous brothers sold Joseph into slavery: Egypt.2. By God’s providence: Potiphar’s house > Prison > Palace (interpret dreams).3. Famine: Brothers come seeking grain: > Joseph has his chance: Get revenge.4. Johnny Cash: Boy named Sue. Named him Sue > abandoned family. MY NAME ISSUE. HOW DO YOU DO. NOW YOU’RE GOING TO DIE.5. Instead he wisely leads his brothers to repentance. And then forgives them.C. Subject of forgiveness: vitally important.1. Families need to practice forgiveness to survive. Counseling: first stage: rebuildingtrust, communication, oneness: confess sin and forgive. So do churches.2. Hard to forgive: When someone you trusted lets you down: friend, spouse. Treatedunfairly: teacher/boss, Drunk driver cuts short life of loved one.3. This week: How to forgive. Joseph could have done a slow burn: slavery, prison:but learns keys to forgiveness.4. I am sure: many here: facing struggles. Perhaps you’d like to enjoy reconciliationand forgive, but don’t know how. Pay attention to Word of God. Great help: my lifeII. Joseph is reconciled to his brothers. 45:1-28A. Joseph reveals his true identity. v. 1-3 Acts 7:131. Sees true repentance. Remorse, unselfishness. Ruse not necessary.2. Can’t stand it any more! Dam bursts. Clears room: intimate moment.B. Joseph comforts his brothers. v. 3b-15 A speech to the speechless.1. What must the brothers have been thinking and feeling? v. 3b 50:15a. Like a thunderclap, Egyptian tyrant speaks to them in Hebrew. “I am Joseph”b. Put yourselves in their sandals for a moment. We are about to die!c. Speechless terror! Used of fear felt in war. Their lives are in the hands of theone they thought they killed. Expect Joseph have his revenge. Later 50:15d. Up until this point he has been very harsh with them.2. Joseph makes every effort to reassure his brothers. v. 4 Draw near. No need: feara. Don’t be angry with yourselvesb. He never raises the issue of the past. Who brings it up? 50:15-173. Joseph acknowledges God’s hand in all that has happened. v. 5-8 50:20a. By telling the story: proves his identity.b. Joseph gives the definitive interpretation of the entire narrative. You sold me,but God sent me. As a means of saving us all.c. This enables him to overlook the evil his brothers inflicted upon him.1

4. He even encourages them to forgive themselves for what they had done. v. 5a. Your acts were part of God’s plan. Their attempt to rid themselves of theirbrother & nullify his dreams was used by God for very different purposesb. This does not excuse or minimize their sins. But since they have acknowledgedtheir guilt, no need to pile on.5. God’s plan all along has been for the house of Israel to go to Egypt for fourhundred years to become a nation there. 15:13-14 Revealed: Abraham:6. Joseph offers to generously provide for his family in Egypt. v. 9-11,13 Ruth 4:15a. The famine will last for 5 more years.b. Joseph will use all his resources and influence to care for them.c. Very generous in light of their previous heartlessness towards him.d. God’s plan is for you all to come to Egypt to live with me: preserve life.e. Evidence all of Joseph’s actions are being guided by God’s plan.f. Come quickly. v. 137. Joseph showers loving affection upon his brothers. v. 12,14-15a. Seeks to persuade them. It is really me. v. 12b. When they realize Joseph has no intention of taking revenge, very glad.c. What a contrast to their relationship before bitterness. Jealousy couldn’tspeak to him 37:4. Now much to talk about: loving fellowship.d. They have become the kingdom of God, a family fit to rule the world (Waltke).C. Pharaoh expands upon Joseph’s generosity. v. 16-20 Pr. 21:11. A expression of his regard for Joseph. For Joseph’s sake kind to his family.Honored guests: best of the land.2. Some suggest this implies Joseph must have never told Pharaoh about the evildone to him by his brothers.D. Joseph sends his brothers back to retrieve Jacob and all their clan. v. 21-241. His gifts will verify the brothers’ report to Jacob. v. 21-23,27ba. Joseph’s gifts way outclass Jacob’s pistachios.b. Convince them to leave Canaan.c. Clothing has been important in Joseph’s story. 37:3,23 39:12-13 44:13 Changeof clothes symbolizes new situation: delivered. Under Joseph’s care (reconciled).d. Again Joseph shows favoritism to Benjamin. v. 22b(1) His blood brother. People are free to bestow gifts as they wish.(2) Other brothers don’t complain. They still have more than they deserve. IfJoseph wants to give extra to Benjamin: fine!2. Why does he warn them not to quarrel? v. 24 42:22 Mt. 5:9a. Each tries to justify self, blame others. Reuben: See I told you so!!b. Several days journey: 250 miles. What are we going to tell Dad?c. Part of repentance: facing the people you have wronged.E. Jacob receives the amazing news and is revived. v. 25-28 reason for living.1. What a sight he must have seen: In addition to whatever they had left with. 20donkeys laden w/food/gifts, plus wagons from Egypt to move their possessions.2. His forlorn prayer is answered beyond his wildest dreams. 43:142

F. A lot remains unwritten. Unrecorded.1. What did Joseph and his brothers say to each other. v. 15b2. What did they tell Jacob? Surely they confessed. How did he respond? Forgive?III. Forgive one another as Joseph forgave his brothers and as God has forgiven you.Eph. 4:32 Mt. 6:12,14-15 Ps. 103:10-12A. Forget the offense. Jer. 31:341. In what sense does God forget our sins? 41:51 Jer. 31:34 Ps. 103:10-12 Ro. 5:19a. Doesn’t hold them against us: ever again! Declares us righteous by grace.b. Joseph forgot: apparently didn’t bring up to Pharaoh.c. Joseph’s forgiveness: permanent. Didn’t end, as they feared, when Dad died.2. Forgiveness involves treating the offender as if the offense had never occurred.a. Forgiveness is the conscious decision on the part of the offended party to releasethe offender from the penalty of the offense committed.b. Joseph’s forgiveness came w/no strings attached.3. Forgiveness includes not bringing it up against them, nor talking about it withothers, nor even thinking about it. 41:51 Jer. 31:34 I Co. 13:5a. Joseph: beaten, left for dead, sold as slave, 13 years of awful hardship! Prisonb. Never brings up against them. Illus: If forgive son for denting car: Don’t use asa nagging tool next time he takes the car out.c. Don’t even bring it up to yourself. Brooding, angry, bitter.4. Don’t verbally beat up on people who are already repentant.a. Joseph didn’t say, Let me tell you just how badly I felt in that pit!b. Doesn’t spend: next 30 years reminding them: they owe him.c. Marriage: dog house! No dog house in Xn marriage.B. Show love to the offender. II Co. 2:7-81. Never take revenge. 50:18-19 Rom. 12:17-21a. Would only be fair if they first served Joseph for 20 years.b. World approves/assumes revenge: Advertisement: Law firm: Don’t get mad geteven: hire a lawyer 1-800-Revenge. Boy named Sue.c. Major world religion: Islam: revenge a way of life. No basis: grace.d. We are not in God’s place.2. Take initiative in restoring the relationship.a. Tempted to focus on own hurt feelings.b. Expect them to make effort to reach out to you.c. Awakened sinners are often overwhelmed with guilt and fear. Picture Joseph’sbrothers: cowering.3. Comfort them in their guilt, fear and grief. 45:3-5a. Joseph directs their gaze away from their sins to God’s grace. Num. 21:8-94. Openly express your affection to them. 45:14-15 Illus: repentant childa. There is a place for deep emotional expression. 45:2,16 Ro. 16:16 loud.b. Christlike emotions.c. Think of the one who has most hurt you. Now, imagine yourself embracing,kissing him/her.5. Rather than expecting them to try to make it up to you, minister to their needs.45:10-13 Joseph generously. Ask: How can I demonstrate love to this person.3

C. What if you don’t want to forgive? Phil. 4:13\1. The Bible commands us to forgive. Mt. 6:14-15 Eph. 4:32 Not an option.2. Sometimes it is very hard to forgive. People here: deeply wounded betrayed.a. Sinful human nature likes to hold on to grudge. Perhaps: victim of favoritism.b. Sometimes forgiveness seems too cheap and easy.c. What should you do if you just don’t feel like forgiving?3. Forgiveness is granted, not necessarily felt.4. Those who don’t forgive suffer the consequences. Heb. 12:15 I Pe. 3:7a. Emotional: robbed of peace/joy. Bitterness. Anger in soul. Danger spill overinto rage and revenge. often consumed w/bitterness: anger in soul ready tospill over rage, revenge. Heb. 12:15b. Physical: Can affect your health.c. Destroys relationships. Affects 3 rd parties. Divides families, splits churchesd. Spiritual: Harms your relationship with God. I Pet. 3:7 Mt. 5:23-245. God will equip and enable you to forgive and minister grace to those who hurt you.a. But I just can’t forgive and forget this time. God will help you. I Co. 10:13b. 2 great truths: helped Joseph and help us.D. Trust God, recognizing His sovereign hand is at work when others sin against you.45:5-8 50:19-21 Rom. 8:28 11:33 II Cor. 12:7-9 Js. 1:2f Faith is crucial: forgiveness!1. God is able to use human sin to bring about His good plan. Acts 2:23 Ro. 8:28Prov. 16:1-4 19:21 Rescue house of Israel: preserve them in Egypt: 400 years.a. He also determined the means by which this would come about.b. Not merely that God allows/permits evil, but that He pro-actively sent Joseph.2. The same act can be fully human and evil and fully divine and good.a. Bothers some people: Rabbi Kushner: God is all loving but not all powerful.“Learn to love God and forgiven Him in spite of his limitations”b. Problem of evil. Bible teaches God is sovereign over evil.3. This does not excuse their sin. Sometimes God punishes those He uses. Is. 10:4fLater: Egyptians will be God’s instruments & then He will punish them. Plagues.4. God is able to bring good from evil. Acts 2:23 4:28 13:27 Ro. 11:33f Though Godhates all sin w/a perfect hatred, it is His prerogative to bring good out of evil.5. This perspective enables you to face all kinds of trials and mistreatment. Paul:prison

E. Remember how God has first freely forgiven you. Eph. 4:32 Mt. 6:12,14-15 18:21fTitus 3:5-7 Col. 3:12-13 Luke 7:40f We understand more than Joseph did.1. When others hurt you, remember how great your sin is against God, and how Hefreely forgave you. Mt. 18:21f Luke 7:40f How God freely forgave you.2. The cross extinguishes the flames of anger and bitterness.Remembering your own sin.F. What should you do if your brother is not repentant? Mt. 18:15f Gal. 6:1f1. There is a sense in which forgiveness and reconciliation cannot fully take place ifthe other party is not repentant.2. If the other person says they are repentant, assume the best. Mt. 18:21-223. You may need to graciously confront the one who has wronged you. Mt. 18:15fGal. 6:1-2 Seeking peace and reconciliation. Offering forgiveness.4. Sometimes it is impossible to bring about reconciliation. Mt. 18:17-18 Rom. 12:185. You never have license to be bitter. Rather you should be like the father of theProdigal Son, lovingly waiting for the opportunity to forgive and restore.a. Or like Jesus. Luke 23:34 “Father forgiven them”b. I believe this was Joseph’s attitude for those > 20 years.c. Think specifically of the one who has wronged you.G. How does Joseph’s story help the victim of abuse?1. We can forgive because God first has forgiven us.2. We can trust that God is sovereign over all things and has a good purpose.3. God will deal with the abuser in His own time and way.Summary: Forgiving is forgiving, loving, trusting (God)IV. How does this passage point to Christ? Spurgeon: You might read the history of Josephthrough 20 times & you shall not have exhausted the type (of Christ).A. God predetermined that Jesus, like Joseph, must suffer that he might save His people.John 18:11 Acts 2:23 4:28 13:271. God’s plan of salvation requires sacrifice. Acts 7:9-10 John 3:142. God determined beforehand that He would suffer through wicked hands and sosave the world. Acts 2:23 4:283. Ultimately it was not men, but God who sent Jesus to the cross. Isa. 53:104. The Father’s beloved son is sent to His wicked brethren who reject him.a. They sell him for pieces of silver and he becomes their Lord.5. Jesus, like Joseph, accepted the Father’s will concerning His suffering. Jo. 18:116. He has accomplished a great deliverance bringing reconciliation. 45:75

7. One day those who rejected Him will bow and weep. Zec.. 12:10 Jo. 19:37 Ro. 11Phil. 2:9-11 Re. 1:7 20:11-15a. Some among the Jews bowed the knee in this life: as Lord.b. Others will bow the knee in the end.B. Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers beautifully portrays Christ’s forgiveness of us.Ps. 103:10-141. He does not count our sins against us.2. He receives and embraces us as the Father does the Prodigal Son. Luke 15:203. He not only forgives us, but enriches us. II Co. 8:9 II Pe. 1:2-3 Ro. 8:32 Phil. 4:19II Co. 8:9 Removes filthy rags of our guilt and clothes us in His perfect righteousnessa. He gives rich gifts to His former enemies who sought to destroy Him.b. Jesus graciously provides for all our needs. His divine power has granted to useverything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of HimWho called us by His own glory and excellence.c. Christ has abundantly provided for the maintenance of His church. Word, HS,fellowship, love of saints, spiritual gifts, adoption, inheritance (sons not slaves)4. He invites us to draw near unto Him. 45:4 Mt. 11:28-305. He gladly receives all who humble themselves before Him. Js. 4:6 I Pe. 5:5C. Other parallels.1. Like Joseph, Jesus knew His brothers before they knew Him. Is. 1:3 John 1:10-11a. Spurgeon: Like Joseph: His aching heart longed to bridge the gulf.b. He loved them even when he treated them roughly to bring them: repentance.2. He called us to Himself when we would have run from Him. 45:43. God’s Son finds refuge in Egypt. Mt. 2:15 Hos. 11:1 Ex. 4:224. As Joseph’s family gained favor in Pharaoh’s eyes because of his relationship toJoseph, we find favor in God’s eyes because of Christ. Phil. 3:95. Like Jacob, who thought the news about Joseph was too good to be true, somedoubt the gospel of grace because it seems too good to be true.V. Concluding applications.A. If you are a Christian you need to fully forgive.1. Christ died not just to bring reconciliation between God and man, but also amongmen. He died to make His people one.2. As you remember His grace to you, you can be gracious to others.B. If you are not a Christian, you need to seek forgiveness from God.1. You have sinned against the Holy God.2. Jesus invites you to Himself as Joseph invited his brothers.a. Isa. 45:22 Turn unto me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.b. Can almost seem too good to be true: God so invites you to draw near.6

Discussion questions1. What was God’s purpose in bringing the house of Israel to Egypt?2. How does Joseph illustrate the principle that forgiving involves forgetting?3. What promises do you make when you forgive someone?4. What does Joseph do to show his brothers that he has truly forgiven them?5. What should you do to help those who seek your forgiveness?6. What should you do if you don’t feel like forgiving someone?7. How was Joseph able to forgive his brothers?8. How does Christ help us to forgive others?9. Should you forgive someone who is not repentant?10. How does Joseph’s story help the victim of abuse?11. How does Genesis 45 point to Christ?VI. MiscA. FLK SD apply forgive.B. See Deff principles of biblical forgiveness.C. Parallels: Brothers and condition of awakened sinners. > further revelation (comenear) > joy.D. Rom. 5:19 we are considered righteousE. Our guilt is blotted out of His sight. Ps. 103:10-12F. There can be consequences after forgiveness. Num. 5:5-10 II Sam. 12:10-14 Ex. 22:7-15G. Illus: root: 10 years ago: side yard. Small child could have pulled.H. Anger is one of the most serious problems of our time1. 80% murderers had a relationship w/the victim.2. Luther says that like Joseph’s household, churches are places where those who areguilty, terrified, and lost find healing and forgiveness.I. More on don’t take revenge: Taking God’s place. 50;18-19 Ro. 12:191. Yet there can be consequences.J. Review: forgetting, loving trusting.7

F. God’s plan works through human sin. Pr. 16:1-4 19:21 20:24 27:11. God preserves life. 45:5,7,72. Mercy. 43:14 Grace 43:29G. Application1. Loyalty to a family member in need even when he/she looks guilty.2. Giving Glory to God by owning up to sin & its consequences. 44:16 42:21 44:33-34Pr. 28:133. Overlooking favoritism4. Offering oneself up to save another5. Demonstrating true love by concrete acts of sacrifice.6. Discarding control and power in favor of intimacy.7. Expressing feelings and talking to one another.H. Hospitality. Giving one’s best to a needy familyI. Parallels Joseph and Christ1. He knew his brothers before they knew him. Isa. 1:3 John 1:10-112. He loved them when they did not love him.3. He saved them before they were aware of their salvation.4. Called to his brothers when they would have run from him.5. He loved us deeply: weeping.J. Boice1. Problem of evila. Rabbi Kushner: God is all loving, but not all powerful. “Learn to love God & forgivehim despite his limitations”b. Contrast Job: submit. God abases those He exalts and uses.c. Do you have trouble forgiving someone? Think of the good God isaccomplishing through him.2. Come: Story E.V. Hill. Kicked a guy out3. Joseph’s weeping: humanity, love, forgiveness, wisdom.a. Egyptians hide feelings: Sphinx.b. Joseph had been through a lot:c. His suffering never pulled him away from God.d. Not only loved Benjamin (who hadn’t hurt him), but also brothers. Picture yourselfembracing, kissing w/tears those who have most hurt you!e. Jesus reaches out to you as Joseph did to his brothersf. Jacob wasn’t so forgiving. 49:5-7g. Luther pints out that like Joseph’s household, the churches today are placeswhere those who are guilty, lost & terrified find healing.4. Pharaoh honors Joseph by honoring his brothers.a. We have favor in God’s eyes because of our relationship to Jesus.b. He ricdhly supplised us5. Don’t quarrel. 37:32a. How would you react if Jacob? When kids do wrong, etc.6. Jacob. He thought 42:36 all was against him. Doubt. > Israel believes.a. In spite of God’s past faithfulness.b. Some struggle believing the gospel because the news is too good to be true. Like9

those who doubted Jesus’ ress. Or Peter’s release.7. Brothers like all awakened sinners: overwhelmed w/Guilt. Ro. 3:19K. SLJ: Christ1. Jesus accepted Father’s will regarding His suffering. Jo. 18:11 Ps. 76:10 Acts 2:232. The affectionate reunion: picture of reconciliation wrought by God in Christ.3. Revelation of Joseph to his brothers who rejected Him is a picture of the revelationof the Lord Jesus to His brethren, Israel, who rejected Him. Zech. 12:104. Parallel Joseph’s invitation to come & Christ’s.5. Wagons: rare in those days.6. We do not worship a frustrated deity!L. Deff: Forgiveness1. Intro: anger: in soul > ready to spill over: Bitterness, rage, revenge, hostility, emotionaldisorders: suppressed anger eat away at health & peace of minda. 80% murders: relationship w/victim.b. Anger is one of the most serious problems of our time.c. Forgiveness is the answer.d. Joseph could have done a slow burn: slavery, prison, but learns the keys toforgiveness.2. Importance forgiveness. Mt. 6:14-15 Eph. 4:31-323. Providencea. Though God hates all sin w/perfect hatred, it is His prerogative to bring good out ofevil.b. Egyptians would also be God’s instruments4. Joseph’s post humiliation/suffering glory encourages his brethren. John 17:1-5,225. What pleased Joseph pleased Pharaoh.a. Joseph must have never told Pharaoh of the injustice done to him by hisbrothers6. Needed new garments < tore old ones? 44:137. Partiality to Benjamin? Deserving. Didn’t harm him. Free to make distinctions.8. Joseph’s gift way outclassed Jacob’s pistachios.9. Jacob gets 17 years with Joseph in Egypt.10. Forgiveness is the conscious decision on the part of the offended party to releasethe offender from the penalty of the offense commmitted. Set free.a. Not taken lightly: Rom. 3:23-25 God deals with seriouslyb. We forgive on His account. Mt. 18:21fc. Forgiveness is not earned.11. Principles of biblical forgivenessa. Should be granted quickly. Eph. 4:26-27 Mt. 5:25b. Privately. Pr. 10:12 12:16 17:9 Mt. 18:15c. Free and unconditional. Luke 23:34d. Sacrificial. Joseph suffered: gave up all rights to retaliatione. Permanent, not provisional. 50:15-21 Didn’t end when Dad died. Jer. 31:34f. Seeks the correction and restoration of the offender.12. Basis of forgivenessa. Bible commands us to forgive. Eph. 4:32 Mt. 5 Col. 3:12fb. Consider your own sinfulness and how God has forgiven you. Lu. 7:40-48c. Meditate upon the sovereignty of God in the offense committed against you. Js.1:2f Ro. 8:28 Gen. 50:20 II Cor. 12:7-9d. Be a servant. Humble. Deal w/pride. Phil. 2:3-810

e. Meditate on the characteristics of biblical love. I Cor. 13:4-7M. Spurgeon 45:28 Jacob and doubting souls: a parallel1. Jacob was ready to believe evil tidings. See coat, all against him,2. Sees good ? Too good to be true3. So when see blood of Christ..4. The evidence was enough to convict him:a. personal testimony. Sons/ apostles accurate reportsb. Abundant tokens wagons/Sabbath, ministers of gospel5. The conviction was enough to move him.a. Some say there is a savior yet they are not saved.6. John 5:24fN. Spurgeon 45:1-51. Joseph is a type of Christ revealing Himself to us..a. His loving heart ached to bridge the gulfb. Jesus reveals Himself in private for the most part.c. First revelation often creates sadness. Zech. 12:d. Further revelation brings the greatest joy. Jesus invites Come near me.e. Puts away their offenses.2. Joseph traces God’s hand in his whole career.3. You shall read the history of Joseph through 20 times & you shall not have exhausted thetype.4. Condition of the awakened sinner.a. Fully of guilt. Mocked the Lord Jesus.b. In God’s hands: like they were in Joseph’s hands: Fearsome5. Joseph’s rough behavior is a representation of the way Christ deals with soulsunder conviction of sin. We need the rod.a. Always their brother, always loved them: even while called them spies.b. Actually there was kindness in his conduct. Feast = glimpse of hope.6. As Joseph revealed himself to his brethren, so Jesus in due time sweetly revealsHimself to penitent sinners. Name, Brother, Affectiona. Penitent sinner: can you believe it? Jesus loves you, though you hated Him!b. An invitation to approach. Come to me. Look unto me & be saved all the earthc. What tenderness: not “I am not angry”, but “Don’t’ be angry w/self”7. It was not men but God who sent Jesus to the cross!O. Greek1. Control 45:1 43:31 before did2. 45:3 dismay Ps. 2:53. 45:5 angry 44:18 45:54. 45:11 provide. 47:12 50:21 Ruth 4:15 Ps. 55:225. 45:14 fall upon. 43:18 they feared before6. 45:19 ordered7. 45:22 garments. Judges 14:12-13a. Terrified. Ex. 15:15 Judges 20:41 I Sam. 28:21 Ps. 48:5P. 46: Family reunionQ. 46:11

1. 200 years: 70 people.2. 400 more years: a nation: > million! (Each generation 4+ kids average).How can a small group become a nation of millions in just over 4 centuries? A simple bit ofarithmetic shows that it was easily possible. If the average Israelite family consisted of 4children by the time the parents were 27 years old (the Bible record shows that families thenwere actually much larger), that would provide for a doubling of the population every 27years (2 children to replace the parents, and 2 children to account for population growth). 430years divided by 27 years is about 15 generations during the time Israel was in Egypt.1. Beginning with the original 70 people, growth of the Israelite nation using our factors abovewould have been:140 people after 27 years280 people after 54 years560 people after 81 years1,120 people after 108 years2,240 people after 135 years4,480 people after 162 years8,960 people after 189 years17,920 people after 216 years35,840 people after 243 years71,680 people after 270 years143,360 people after 297 years286,720 people after 324 years573,440 people after 351 years1,146,880 people after 378 years2,293,760 people after 405 years12