Our Goshen in Egypt
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Text - Genesis 45.7-11
7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
9 “Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not tarry.
10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have.
11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.” ’
Title - Our Goshen In Egypt
Background
Background
One of the most severe droughts in ancient history was the famine that hit the Middle East in the days of Jacob.
it lasted seven years, and affected Egypt and all the lands in the region
but God provided salvation
He allowed 7 years of abundant harvest to precede the 7 years of famine
He raised Joseph to administer the greatest act of deliverance of the time.
and Joseph prepared a place for his people
In many ways, that time reflects our time.
we live in dark times
but God sends His deliverance to us
we have His abundant love and mercy
we Jesus Christ
there is a place prepared for us in this world - it is not a permanent place, but safe enough until we go home!
Sermon Points
Sermon Points
God raised up Joseph for a special reason
God raised up Joseph for a special reason
Joseph realized God’s purpose in his life when he saw his brethren in Egypt to buy grain.
Joseph realized God’s purpose in his life when he saw his brethren in Egypt to buy grain.
To preserve life
5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.
To preserve your posterity on the earth
7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Israel’s posterity/remnant
so that Abraham’s seed will continue to live to the coming of the “promised seed”
To save lives “by a great deliverance”
a unique mark of God’s work
to show Himself strong - 2 Chronicles 16.9
Our Joseph - Jesus Christ - knew the Father’s plan for His life from the beginning
Our Joseph - Jesus Christ - knew the Father’s plan for His life from the beginning
Save lives in general
Luke 9.56
John 3.17 - the world through Him might be saved
John 19.20 - to seek and to save the lost
Save God’s people, specifically
Hebrews 2.10-14 - to bring many sons of God to glory
Galatians 4.1-4 - because you are sons…
Joseph prepared a special place for his family to live
Joseph prepared a special place for his family to live
Having realized God’s plan, he set aside a unique place for his family to dwell - Goshen
Having realized God’s plan, he set aside a unique place for his family to dwell - Goshen
Why Goshen?
Goshen was near to him
10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have.
Goshen was a place of provision
11 There I will provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.” ’
Goshen is a separate place
33 So it shall be, when Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’
34 that you shall say, ‘Your servants’ occupation has been with livestock from our youth even till now, both we and also our fathers,’ that you may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.”
Goshen is the best land in Egypt
5 Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you.
6 The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.”
Goshen is their possession!
11 And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
Our Joseph - Jesus Christ - has also prepared a place for us!
Our Joseph - Jesus Christ - has also prepared a place for us!
John 14.1-2 - He goes to heaven to secure our place
John 17.14-17 - He prays for God to keep us safe in while we are in this world
Our Goshen is near to Him
Ephesians 2.18 - we have access to the Father
Ephesians 3.12 - we have boldness and access with confidence
Hebrews 10.19-22 - let us draw near with a true heart
Our Goshen is the place of provisions
Philippians 4.19 - my God shall supply all your needs
Colossians 2.9-10 - you are complete in Him
Our Goshen is a palce of sanctification
2 Corinthians 6.17-7.1 - be separate
Our Goshen is the best place in this world
because it is the safest place
Our Goshen is our possession in this world!
OUR GOSHEN IS THE PLACE THAT GOD HAS APPOINTED FOR US WHERE WE CAN LIVE AND SERVE HIM WHILE WE ARE IN THIS WORLD.
it is your Christian family
it is your God-provided business or job
it is your place of service or ministry
it is your right and godly relationships
it is your active Christian life
it is your local church family and fellowship
Goshen is a place of refuge for God’s people
Goshen is a place of refuge for God’s people
first, from the famine
later, from the plagues that God poured on Egypt
God separated Goshen in the fourth plague
Exodus 8.21-23
There was no hail in the land of Goshen
Exodus 9.24-26
There was light among the children of Israel
Exodus 10.22-23
The firstborn of Israel were saved from death
Exodus 11.4-7
Goshen was covered by the blood of the Lamb!
Goshen was covered by the blood of the Lamb!
Exodus 12.7
12 ‘For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.
13 Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
Conclusion
Conclusion
God knows what’s going to happen in this world - confusion, chaos, destruction, and calamities - because of man’s wickedness.
the prophets have foretold
Jesus has foretold of these things
But God will not allow His people to be affected, and His work to be hindered!
He has provided a Deliverer - our Joseph!
He has prepared a safe place - our Goshen!
If you are already in your Goshen - STAY THERE
If you are lost, confused, and seeking for shelter - COME TO YOUR JOSEPH AND COME TO YOUR GOSHEN
God wants to be our Refuge
1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.
2 I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past.
You can make God your strong refuge - everyday
3 Be my strong refuge, To which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, For You are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.
5 For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth.
6 By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.
Those who take refuge in God are in the safest place possible!
Psalm 91.1-16