Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Looking at Joseph
  • Overview to date
  • A picture of Jesus Christ
• Joseph’s brothers bowing down before again
  • Once before and twice again
  • Fulfilment of the dreams 20-21 years previously
    • Pointing us again to Jesus Christ
• A communion service
  • A symbolic meal
  • Remembering Christ’s body and blood given for us at Calvary
  • Communion is for unworthy sinners
  • We can come into the presence of God through Christ’s work on the cross
• We will see men who felt unworthy
  • Had heavy consciences
  • They felt God was punishing them
• Joseph freely welcomes them and provides them a feast
  • From severe famine … to feasting
  • From fear to favour and blessing
  • This reminds us of Christ who welcomes us to His table
• Signs of change in Joseph’s brothers
  • Joseph needed to be sure there were signs of repentance
    • 43:8 – Judah
      • No jealously over Benjamin but care for him
    • It takes time for people to change
• Overview:
  • Going down to Egypt
  • Their Arrival in Egypt
  • In the Egyptian’s/Joseph’s Home

Going down to Egypt

• The brothers:
  • Coming with presents and double money
  • They are frightened
• Joseph makes a decision when he sees Benjamin
  • ‘They must come to my house’
  • v18 – They were afraid and filled with fear
    • They need to face their fears
    • They were fearing the worse (yet the best was to come to them)
    • Jesus commanded to trust in God
    • ‘The end of a thing is better than the beginning’ – Proverbs
    • The just shall live by faith – Romans 1:17

Their Arrival in Egypt

• The hold back at the door
  • v19-21 – the brothers tell the truth
  • v22 – they do not blame anyone
    • They do not make any false allegations
• The answer from the Steward (who must have been privy to Joseph’s plans)
  • Do not be afraid
  • God has given you the treasure
• Remember how Joseph witnessed
  • To Potiphar … Gen 41:38
  • To this steward
• How the brothers must have been relieved
  • God can surprise us in wonderful ways
  • God can sometime us non-Christians
• The power of prayer
  • Jacob had been praying (43:14)
  • Meeting with our other churches
  • Example of answered prayers
• When down and full of fear, God may change and bless our situation

In the Egyptian’s/Joseph’s Home

• They have come with gifts and bow down
  • They are blessed in giving
  • They receive water to wash the feet and feed for the donkeys (cf v18)
    • We come empty handed to the communion table and receive
    • We want to give our best in Christian service
• v29 – He weeps after seeing Benjamin
  • This shows the tenderness of his heart
    • This reminds us of Jesus Christ – meek and lowly in heart
• Joseph eats separately from the Egyptians and the brothers
  • He sits them down in age order
  • He gives Benjamin 5 times the portion
    • The brothers are not jealous of this
  • They are in the presence of one who really know them
    • Jesus Christ knows us better than we know ourselves
    • Jesus is willing to bless us
  • Simeon gone from prison to the palace
  • The brothers from fear to acceptance
• Meals in the middle east were very important
  • Jesus desired to eat and fellowship the Passover with His disciples
• As we come to the communion table
  • Repent and ask for forgiveness
  • Remember our Saviour is willing to receive us