The Reconciliation of Resurrection

Paul Allen

Engage with the Lord: Joseph’s Story • Sermon • Submitted 2 months ago • Presented 2 months ago

Genesis 45:16–28

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The Royal Invitation

Genesis 45:16–20 (NIV)

When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’

“You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’ ”

Pharoah is delighted to hear of Joseph’s family and he extends the royal invitation to them to come and settle in the land of Egypt. The Pharoah has seen the blessing of God’s hand upon Joseph. How can he not respond with even greater generosity as the Lord has been so gracious with Egypt on Joseph’s behalf?

When we open our eyes to see the provision of the Lord, we can begin to respond out of his provision instead of our circumstances. Pharoah was not a believer, but his eyes could not help but see the Lord’s provision. This provision will allow the Israelites to multiply for generations.

Exodus 1:1–9 (NIV)

These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher. The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all; Joseph was already in Egypt.

Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.

Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us.

Reconciliation

Genesis 45:21–24 (NIV)

So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”

As Joseph takes hold of the offer made by Pharoah, he blesses his brothers as they prepare to return home to their father equipped with the many blessings of the Lord. Returning home though comes with the fear of having to reveal a long hidden truth. The brothers have been lying for 13 years. Now as they prepare to leave, Joseph instructs them not to quarrel.

Reconciliation of relationship is the result of resurrection over and again. Here, Jacob and his brothers are reconciled with Joseph and are given a second chance to place relationship at the forefront. When we allow the truth to be resurrected, reconciliation has the opportunity to take place and a second chance to place the relationship first. Jesus is the perfect picture of this as his resurrection purchased our lives and gifted us with reconciliation with God Almighty.

Resurrection

Genesis 45:25–28 (NIV)

So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Reconciliation always outweighs and outlasts the pain of our sin.