The Impact of Guilt
Engage with the Lord: Joseph’s Story • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Relying on the Lord
Relying on the Lord
Genesis 42:1–7 (NIV)
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”
Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for there was famine in the land of Canaan also.
Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked.
“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”
The contrast between the foresight of Joseph in regards to the famine and the lack there of in regards to the brothers.
Jacob continues to show favoritism toward the youngest and lack of trust in his other sons.
The temptation to paint the Scriptures in a more positive light. The temptation to paint ourselves or the faith in a more positive light. God needs neither. The wonder of the Lord is that He does take us as we are and He molds us into who we were always designed to be.
Tested
Tested
Genesis 42:8–17 (NIV)
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
“No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food. We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”
“No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
But they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”
Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies! And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!” And he put them all in custody for three days.
Joseph moves in a motif that would on the surface point to revenge. Joseph had every right to get back at his brothers for the pain that they had caused him.
Joseph sits in a position like God. He is all-powerful and all-knowing.
Guilt Overwhelms
Guilt Overwhelms
Genesis 42:18–24 (NIV)
On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison, while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.
They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.”
Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.
He turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.
When we allow guilt to fester and we fail to surrender our sins to the Lord, our guilt consumes our thoughts. It destroys our relationships and blinds our eyes to what is plain to see. Here the guilt of their sin consumes the brothers as they see their circumstances as a response to their treatment of Joseph so long ago.
God desires all of who we are to be surrendered to him, not just the pretty, good, and delightful. God wants our mistakes and our sins to be laid down at His feet so that He might deliver us.
Micah 7:18–19 (NIV)
Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Take notice what God is doing. God is delivering the family from the famine of the land, but He is also delivering them from the guilt that they had harbored for so long. God desires to deliver us fully, will we trust him.