Bible Study - Pitfalls (6) - The Pitfalls of Guilt and Grudges - Genesis 50:15-21 - February 27, 2022

 

Bible Study – Pitfalls (6) – The Pitfalls of Guilt and Grudges – February 27, 2022

This is our final lesson in our series entitled, “How to Avoid Life’s Pitfalls.”

Our focus scripture is Genesis 50:15-21.

We can move forward only when we embrace GOD’S forgiveness.

Reconciliation is only possible when real or presumed obstacles are dealt with and resolved. Trust is vital in all relationships. Guilt has to be resolved before reconciliation can begin to build upon a solid foundation. Faith in GOD, by all parties establishes a solid foundation upon which we can rebuild trust. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Genesis 49:1-2: (Background – Twelve Tribes of Israel)

Jacob’s Last Words

49 Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather around, and I will tell you what will happen to you in the days to come.^[a]

² Come together and listen, sons of Jacob;
listen to your father Israel:

 

Jacob called his twelve sons to gather around him and spoke prophesy regarding the future of each of the twelve tribes of Israel -----

 

Let’s read Genesis 49:29-33:

Jacob’s Burial Instructions

²⁹ Then he commanded them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my ancestors in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hethite. ³⁰ The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hethite as burial property. ³¹ Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried there, Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried there, and I buried Leah there. ³² The field and the cave in it were purchased from the Hethites.” ³³ When Jacob had finished giving charges to his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, took his last breath, and was gathered to his people.

Jacob dies and Joseph reacts to his father’s death, which is the focus of our lesson. When we have done something wrong against another person or persons, how do we feel when get close to that person or them? Are we comfortable or uncomfortable? Let’s explore!

Jacob/Israel dies.

Let’s read Genesis 50:1-15:

50 Then Joseph, leaning over his father’s face, wept and kissed him. ² He commanded his servants who were physicians to embalm his father. So, they embalmed Israel. ³ They took forty days to complete this, for embalming takes that long, and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.

Joseph confirmed his dad’s death.

⁴ When the days of mourning were over, Joseph said to Pharaoh’s household, “If I have found favor with you, please tell Pharaoh that ⁵ my father made me take an oath, saying, ‘I am about to die. You must bury me there in the tomb that I made for myself in the land of Canaan.’ Now let me go and bury my father. Then I will return.”

⁶ So Pharaoh said, “Go and bury your father in keeping with your oath.”

⁷ Then Joseph went to bury his father, and all Pharaoh’s servants, the elders of his household, and all the elders of the land of Egypt went with him, ⁸ along with all Joseph’s family, his brothers, and his father’s family. Only their dependents, their flocks, and their herds were left in the land of Goshen. ⁹ Horses and chariots went up with him; it was a very impressive procession. ¹⁰ When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wept loudly, and Joseph mourned seven days for his father. ¹¹ When the Canaanite inhabitants of the land saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a solemn mourning on the part of the Egyptians.” Therefore, the place is named Abel-mizraim.^[a] It is across the Jordan.

¹² So Jacob’s sons did for him what he had commanded them. ¹³ They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased as burial property from Ephron the Hethite. ¹⁴ After Joseph buried his father, he returned to Egypt with his brothers and all who had gone with him to bury his father.

The patriarch Jacob/Israel was dead. The glue that held the family together was gone. Now what? Would Joseph the person with full authority in Egypt finally take out his revenge on his brothers?

Is this a picture of forgiveness. We forgive but do we forget? The Bible reveals to us a unique aspect of GOD’S nature as recorded 1 John 1:9:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Of course, our sins are cleansed by the shed blood of JESUS. In the Old Testament, we read in Micah 7:19:

He will again have compassion on us; he will vanquish our iniquities. You (GOD) will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

In the words of Ms. Corrie Ten Boom, “and HE places a No Fishing Sign.”

This is a foreshadow and an assurance, when we stand before the judgement seat, the shed blood of JESUS has paid for our sins in full. JESUS said in John 5:24:

²⁴ “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

Do you believe these statements from JESUS?

Let’s read Genesis 50:15-18:

Joseph’s Kindness

¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said to one another, “If Joseph is holding a grudge against us, he will certainly repay us for all the suffering we caused him.”

Copied from Advanced Bible Study, Winter 2021-2022, page 167, “Your guilt does not imply another’s grudge.”

When we have done something wrong, it is hard for us to forgive ourselves. Joseph’s brothers thought that Jacob/Israel was the reason Joseph had withheld his wrath from them. He had gotten all of them, including Jacob, to move to Egypt. Now their security blanket was dead. This left Joseph free to do whatever he chose to do to them in retaliation. So, Joseph’s brothers thought long and hard and came up with a plan --- Did they manufacture this message? I think so. It reveals their heart.

¹⁶ So they sent this message to Joseph, “Before he died your father gave a command: ¹⁷ ‘Say this to Joseph: Please forgive your brothers’ transgression and their sin—the suffering they caused you.’ Therefore, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when their message came to him. ¹⁸ His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”  Do you recall Joseph’s dream as recorded in Genesis 37? His family will bow down to him.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Why did Joseph weep? Did he think that the hearts of his brothers had not changed? Or did they think that Joseph had not been sincere in forgiving them. Joseph’s words in verse 19 reveal his heart. GOD guided Joseph’s life to where GOD wanted Joseph to be. Sometimes the path GOD desires for us to travel is not easy. The question is, “When our faith is in GOD and our walk becomes difficult, do we trust HIM?”

Let’s read Genesis 50:19-20:

¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.

It is estimated that two and one-half million persons left Egypt when Moses led them from Egypt. GOD preserved HIS chosen people by protecting them in Egypt. When Moses led them out of Egypt, they left with many goods. Yes, life was harsh. The key is they called out to GOD. The Israelites grew into a nation of GOD’S chosen people. Moses identified GOD as the One True GOD, YAHWEH to the Israelites and over time to all people in the world through GOD’s Word and JESUS.

Let’s read Genesis 50:21:

²¹ Therefore don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.^[b]

Joseph made his family a promise. You do not have to worry; I will take care of you.

Let’s read Genesis 50:22-26:  Joseph’s Death

²² Joseph and his father’s family remained in Egypt. Joseph lived 110 years. ²³ He saw Ephraim’s sons to the third generation; the sons of Manasseh’s son Machir were recognized by^[c][d] Joseph (The sons of Machir were accepted as birth sons of Machir who were possibly adopted.).

Joseph’s two sons are included in the makeup of the twelve tribes of Israel.

²⁴ Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will certainly come to your aid and bring you up from this land to the land he swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” ²⁵ So Joseph made the sons of Israel take an oath: “When God comes to your aid, you are to carry my bones up from here.”

Notice, when GOD comes to your aid. Just as Joseph had forgiven his brothers, so had GOD. Joseph was living according to GOD’S plan for his life to establish a land where GOD’S chosen could grow into GOD’S nation.

We read in Genesis 46:1-7 and 27: (This goes back to when Jacob and family, absent Joseph, left Canaan to go to Egypt. As you recall Joseph had told his brothers that if they remained in Canaan they would starve.)

46 Israel set out with all that he had and came to Beer-sheba, and he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. ² That night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” he said.

And Jacob replied, “Here I am.”

³ God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ⁴ I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you back. Joseph will close your eyes when you die.”^[a]

⁵ Jacob left Beer-sheba. The sons of Israel took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him, along with their dependents and their wives. ⁶ They also took their cattle and possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan. Then Jacob and all his offspring with him came to Egypt. ⁷ His sons and grandsons, his daughters and granddaughters, indeed all his offspring, he brought with him to Egypt.

Jacob/Israel made the decision to go to Egypt and as he started his journey, GOD confirmed his decision to go to Egypt. GOD assured Jacob the HE was leading him to Egypt. When GOD assures our decision, it is always comforting. Jacob had walked with GOD and trusted GOD. This heritage had been passed along to Joseph and Jacob’s family.

Are we passing our Spiritual legacy to our children and family?

²⁷ And Joseph’s sons who were born to him in Egypt: two persons.

All those of Jacob’s household who came to Egypt: seventy^[h] persons.

Seventy including Joseph’s two sons formed the base for the nation of Israel. It took about 430 years for the seventy to grow to over two million and one-half million persons.

²⁶ Joseph died at the age of 110. They embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.

What have we learned from the study of Joseph?

When we forgive, does the person have to forgive us? No! Our part is to forgive and go to the person we have wronged and ask that person to forgive us. Suppose they are dead or we do not know where they are. Then write a note asking the person to forgive you and destroy the note and consider the matter settled.

The Apostle Paul had to deal with the guilt of persecuting Christians as we 1 Corinthians 15:9-10:

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 

Saul/Paul had Christians killed, thrown into prison, persecuted. His life forever changed when JESUS encountered Saul on the road to Damascus. Yes, Saul’s life was forever changed but he remembered his past life. GOD’S grace was sufficient for him to present CHRIST crucified to all who desire salvation.

It is GOD’S Grace through the shed blood of sinless JESUS that makes all who accept JESUS as his or her Savior righteous before GOD. It is the miracle of Spiritual birth that makes all who accept JESUS as his or her Savior GOD’S Son or Daughter.

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.^[a]

Joseph trusted GOD. In the words of Dr. Vance Havner, Practice in the dark what you learn in the light.

Blessings!!!

 

Bible Study - Pitfalls (4) - The Pitfalls of Hard Times - Genesis 41:28-32-47-54 - February 13, 2022

 

Bible Study – Pitfalls (4) – The Pitfalls of Hard Times – February 13, 2022

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled, “How to Avoid Life’s Pitfalls.”

Focus Scripture - Genesis 41:28-32- 47-54.

Trust GOD to see you through any crisis.

The background scripture is too rich to ignore. Our study will begin with Genesis 41:1. GOD takes care of HIS chosen people. GOD chooses all people but do all people choose HIM? It is exciting to see GOD’S hand at work through the lives of HIS chosen and how it benefits other people or people groups to make HIM known to them.

Who are the most important people in a city, community or neighborhood? They are the Christians who live there.

In this study, we see GOD’S protective hand in the preservation of the, yet to be, Israelites through whom the promised Messiah, JESUS, would come. GOD established Himself as The One True All-Powerful GOD over all gods through physical revelation e.g., plagues, parting of the Red Sea, cloud by day, pillar of fire by night, GOD’S presence on Mount Sinai and so much more.

GOD revealed Himself to Moses via the burning bush. Moses recorded his many encounters with GOD, which in turn, revealed GOD to all who read the Bible. Thus, many people and people groups know of Moses’ encounter with GOD through these encounters and revelations.

The pinnacle of GOD’S redemptive plan culminates with the physical birth, sinless physical life of JESUS, JESUS’ physical death upon the cross, HIS physical resurrection from the physically dead on the third day and HIS presence upon earth for 40 days before HE ascended into Heaven to take HIS seat next to GOD.

GOD’S redemptive plan for all people was completed. What is GOD’S redemptive plan? It is for all people to place their faith in the One and Only resurrected JESUS CHRIST WHO, by HIS shed blood, removed the sin barrier and opened the pathway to GOD.

However, there is one step that every person must take and that is accept, by faith, that JESUS paid in full for their sin. Then through the miracle of Spiritual birth one is Spirit-born into GOD’S Family, never to be Spiritually unborn.

The Spirit-born person will go to be with GOD in Heaven at physical death and remain in Heaven with GOD until JESUS returns to earth at HIS second coming. Only Spirit-born Christians will be in Heaven when they die physically and there will be Spirit-born people upon earth. At the second coming of JESUS those who are in Heaven will follow JESUS to earth and those Spirit-born upon earth all will receive their new Glorified bodies at the same time for all eternity. Those Spirit-born will not be judged but receive their Heavenly rewards. WOW! That is huge and all confirmed in scripture.

JESUS said in John 5:24 - ²⁴ “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

In our study of Joseph, we get to see GOD’S hands at work through the life and trust of Joseph in GOD. Trust GOD. Ask HIM to reveal truth to you as you study this lesson. GOD has a plan for you and your life as HIS Spirit-born Child. Who is your enemy? It is Satan. But when you have become a Spirit-born Child of GOD, WHO is greater? It is JESUS. Why? It is because JESUS has defeated Satan by HIS sinless life and the shedding of HIS sinless blood to pay for all of the sin, both past, present and future of all who place their faith in JESUS. Yes, Spirit-born people sin, so, what can they do? Scripture reveals in 1 John 1:8-10:

⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Spirit-born people will be complete and perfected when they see JESUS either at physical death or HIS second coming.

What does this have to do with Joseph? When we are in Spiritual darkness is when we must trust in the light of JESUS. HE is our strength and hope that the darkness will pass and HIS light will guide our path through the dark times in our lives.

Let’s explore!

Genesis 41:1-27:

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams

41 At the end of two years Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile, ² when seven healthy-looking, well-fed cows came up from the Nile and began to graze among the reeds. ³ After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside those cows along the bank of the Nile. ⁴ The sickly, thin cows ate the healthy, well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. ⁵ He fell asleep and dreamed a second time: Seven heads of grain, plump and good, came up on one stalk. ⁶ After them, seven heads of grain, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up. ⁷ The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven plump, full ones. Then Pharaoh woke up, and it was only a dream.

[Notice that in Pharaoh’s dream he was standing beside the Nile River. The Nile was vastly important to Egypt. When it overflowed in the spring of each year it brought rich soil with it that was deposited upon the land next to the Nile. The rich soil adjacent to the Nile produced bountiful luscious crops.] 

⁸ When morning came, he was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

⁹ Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I remember my faults. ¹⁰ Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and he put me and the chief baker in the custody of the captain of the guards. ¹¹ He and I had dreams on the same night; each dream had its own meaning. ¹² Now a young Hebrew, a slave of the captain of the guards, was with us there. We told him our dreams, he interpreted our dreams for us, and each had its own interpretation. ¹³ It turned out just the way he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged.”

¹⁴ Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and they quickly brought him from the dungeon.^[a] He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to Pharaoh.

¹⁵ Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it.”

¹⁶ “I am not able to,” Joseph answered Pharaoh. “It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”^[b]

[Joseph made it perfectly clear WHO interprets dreams. It is no human. It was and is Joseph’s relationship with the One True GOD WHO reveals the truth of a dream. GOD knows all things and is in all. This is a huge witness to pharaoh and many others in Pharaoh’s court and commoners. Keep in mind that Pharaoh’s magicians could not interpret his dream and neither can Spiritualist, fortune tellers, soothsayers, horoscopes, mediums and all their ilk. GOD gives the interpretation. GOD reveals truth, through the indwelling Holy Spirit.]

¹⁷ So Pharaoh then said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, ¹⁸ when seven well-fed, healthy-looking cows came up from the Nile and grazed among the reeds. ¹⁹ After them, seven other cows—weak, very sickly, and thin—came up. I’ve never seen such sickly ones as these in all the land of Egypt. ²⁰ Then the thin, sickly cows ate the first seven well-fed cows. ²¹ When they had devoured them, you could not tell that they had devoured them; their appearance was as bad as it had been before. Then I woke up. ²² In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, full and good, coming up on one stalk. ²³ After them, seven heads of grain—withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind—sprouted up. ²⁴ The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good ones. I told this to the magicians, but no one can tell me what it means.”

²⁵ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. ²⁶ The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years. The dreams mean the same thing. ²⁷ The seven thin, sickly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind are seven years of famine.

[The One True GOD revealed to Pharaoh, who thought of himself as a god, truth. Pharaoh would witness his dreamed being confirmed over this fourteen-year time period. Did these facts result in Pharaoh wanting to know more about the GOD of Joseph? Both the crops and the animals would be impacted by this event. Therefore, plan wisely for this event. Who sounds the alarms of today? Does it come from our pastors, teachers or government leaders?]

Let’s read Genesis 41:28-32:

²⁸ “It is just as I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he (GOD) is about to do. ²⁹ Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt. ³⁰ After them, seven years of famine will take place, and all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten. The famine will devastate the land. ³¹ The abundance in the land will not be remembered because of the famine that follows it, for the famine will be very severe. ³² Since the dream was given twice to Pharaoh, it means that the matter has been determined by God, and he will carry it out soon.

³³ “So now, let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. ³⁴ Let Pharaoh do this: Let him appoint overseers over the land and take a fifth of the harvest of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. ³⁵ Let them gather all the excess food during these good years that are coming. Under Pharaoh’s authority, store the grain in the cities, so they may preserve it as food. ³⁶ The food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine that will take place in the land of Egypt. Then the country will not be wiped out by the famine.”

Joseph Exalted

³⁷ The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants, ³⁸ and he said to them, “Can we find anyone like this, a man who has God’s spirit^[c] in him?” 

[Pharaoh sees through Joseph the wisdom of GOD. Pharaoh trusts GOD’S revelation through Joseph and in turn, Pharaoh witnesses the fulfilment of his dream through its manifestation to him and the people of Egypt and neighboring countries.]

³⁹ So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you are. ⁴⁰ You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands.^[d] Only I, as king,^[e] will be greater than you.” ⁴¹ Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “See, I am placing you over all the land of Egypt.” ⁴² Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, clothed him with fine linen garments, and placed a gold chain around his neck. ⁴³ He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, and servants called out before him, “Make way!” ^[f] So he placed him over all the land of Egypt. ⁴⁴ Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh and no one will be able to raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt without your permission.” ⁴⁵ Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah and gave him a wife, Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest at On.^[g] And Joseph went throughout^[h] the land of Egypt.

[WOW!!! What a witness for The One True GOD of Joseph. Joseph had been made second in command in all of Egypt.]

Joseph’s Administration

⁴⁶ Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout the land of Egypt.

[ In Genesis 37:2, we read - ² These are the family records of Jacob.

At seventeen years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers. The young man was working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought a bad report about them to their father.

From about 17 years old to 30 years old or 13 years, Joseph was in uncertain circumstances but he trusted GOD and in doing so was a positive witness for the One True GOD, Yahweh.]

Let’s read Genesis 41:47-49:

⁴⁷ During the seven years of abundance the land produced outstanding harvests. ⁴⁸ Joseph gathered all the excess food in the land of Egypt during the seven years and put it in the cities. He put the food in every city from the fields around it. ⁴⁹ So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance—like the sand of the sea—that he stopped measuring it because it was beyond measure.

Let’s read Genesis 41:50-54:

⁵⁰ Two sons were born to Joseph before the years of famine arrived. Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest at On, bore them to him. ⁵¹ Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh^[i] and said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and my whole family.” ⁵² And the second son he named Ephraim^[j] and said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

[Joseph saw how GOD had directed his life. Many times, it is in retrospect that we see how GOD has directed our lives for HIS plan and purpose. However, in the latter part of verse 52, we read that Joseph had not forgotten where he came from but he did see that GOD had been in control of his life, “in the land of my affliction.”]

⁵³ Then the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, ⁵⁴ and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every land, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. 

Let’s read Genesis 41:55-57:

⁵⁵ When the whole land of Egypt was stricken with famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh told all Egypt, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” ⁵⁶ Now the famine had spread across the whole region, so Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. ⁵⁷ Every land came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, for the famine was severe in every land.

[GOD calls us into HIS service. Sometimes we know it and sometimes it is revealed in retrospect. But either way, what a joy when we serve HIM. The key is that GOD has a plan for all of HIS Spirit-born Children. Here I am LORD use me for YOUR Glory!]

Blessings!!!