Genesis Chapters 45

A Picture of Jesus’ Acceptance and His Great Commission

 To receive the greatest possible blessing from this Bible study, please take a moment to read the passage.

For previous lessons on Genesis or previous Bible studies, please visit our archives:     http://www.twosmallfish.org/Archives/index.html

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Prayer:

            Dear LORD Jesus, at times Your Presence and acceptance overwhelms me. My heart sings as my spirit soars, and I weep with joy. Help me, LORD, to share the good news of so great a salvation that others may join the celebration. In Your name, amen.

Introduction:

            Joyful tears. Overwhelming experiences of extreme happiness. Born with a cleft lip and palate, our older daughter, Melinda, had many surgeries and treatments throughout the first seventeen years of her life. Near the end of that time, she was invited to participate in a beauty pageant.  We consented because we felt she deserved the opportunity to see how beautiful she was inside and out.

            Melinda won! Oh no, not the beauty pageant. A much more meaningful award than that. The fathers of the contestants were asked to write an essay stating why their daughter deserved recognition. Gene wrote about Melinda’s birth defect and all the trials that went with it and how she maintained her bright outlook on life. She had always been an inspiration and a blessing to him and no matter what, she’d always be his beauty queen. His words brought the house down, not a dry eye in the place. But for me--a heart singing, a spirit soaring, and tears a flowing--overwhelmingly extreme joy.

The Lesson

When he witnessed Judah’s dedication to his younger brother and father, extreme joy overwhelmed Joseph. He could no longer refrain himself and ordering his servants out, he revealed his identity to his brothers. The Bible says Joseph wept so loudly that the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard (verses 1 and 2).

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life (verse 5). Joseph was able to look upon his fate as God inspired for the preservation of His chosen people. God also sent Jesus, who was sold by His brethren, to preserve life for His elect. Jesus calls us to repentance and forgiveness. Not only will he forgive us, but He teaches us to forgive others. And goes beyond that to forgiving ourselves. As Christians, we find ourselves guilty of much wrong-doing even after we’ve asked Jesus into our hearts as savior and LORD. We then become a prime target for Satan to suppress us through that guilt. He regularly reminds us that Jesus suffered an excruciating death because of us and we don’t deserve to live let alone to serve Him. But Joseph’s words are echoed in Jesus’ statement recorded in John 3:14-15,  “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” and again in John 10:10b, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

After his declaration of his purpose, Joseph sends his brothers home, not to stay in their poverty, but to bring their families to share his wealth (verses 9-15). Joseph’s commission to his brothers is a foreshadow of the one given by Jesus to all believers. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (Matthew 28:19). While this statement is considered to be the Great Commission, in Acts 1:8 Jesus elaborates, ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. A close look at His commission reveals that we are to start where we are--in our own families and communities and expand as God gives us grace to do so.

As he sent his brothers away, Joseph gave them provisions for along the way, changes of raiment, and wagons to bring their families back to Egypt (verses 21-24). When we are saved unto Christ, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who in turn provides gifts equipping us for the work God has prepared for us.  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).

But perhaps the most interesting foreshadowing of Jesus’ provisions for us is the changes of raiment. As a testimony of what is to come, Isaiah proclaims, “ I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels” (Isaiah 61:10). And Paul professes, “And be found in him [Jesus Christ], not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith (Philippians 3:9). Paul also reminded us that God cloaks us in His armor to enable us to withstand and to fight against the wiles of the devil-- Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:10-17)

Conclusion and Challenge

Throughout our lives, we experience a sea of events that cause rivers of tears to flow. Some brought by great sorrow, some by extreme joy. Joseph knew both, but only his tears of extreme joy are recorded for us to draw comfort from. Like Joseph, Jesus knew great sorrow. It is recorded of Him that He would be known as a man of sorrow. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not (Isaiah 53:3). But He also knew exceedingly great joy and will know it all the more on the day He calls His children home.

                                                Prayer Requests:

Clayton and his family, Dodie, Adrian, Hans, those who recently lost their jobs and are seeking employment, children with cancer, Melinda & Barry and family, Ryan, Frank and Dorothy, Nick and Rachel, Tammy, children with birth defects and their families, our Bible Study, special unspoken needs, and remember me, Brenda Hendricks.

                                 Praise Report:

Hallelujah!!

            When fretting because my prayers seemed to go no further than the ceiling, I received this answer from my Father:

            "There's no need for your prayers to go any further than your tearstained pillow. I am here with you. I don't expect you to ascend to me any more than a father expects his infant to jump into his arms. I have loved you with an everlasting love and with loving kindness I have drawn you (Jeremiah 33:3 paraphrased by me).”

WOO HOO!! God is so good—always, all ways.

We are looking forward to your praise reports. Please keep us informed so we can share the wonderful grace of Jesus.

                             Our Next Bible Study

In preparation, read Genesis Chapter 46 & 47

To read previous lessons on Genesis or previous Bible studies,

please visit our archives:

 http://www.twosmallfish.org/Archives/index.html

                                                                Invitation:

 Although we have not chosen to be, we are all born into sin because of the fall of man. It sounds hopeless and unfair. But in His infinite wisdom and abundant love, God has provided a choice for us. We can choose to repent of our sinful nature and believe in Jesus Christ. He is faithful and will cleanse us from sin and give us His Holy Spirit to equip us to live for Him. If you’ve made your choice to repent and believe in Jesus, we’d like to hear about it.

If you are free in Christ Jesus, pray for those who remain captive. And tell others, Christians as well as non-believers, what Jesus has done for you. Your testimony will benefit them and help you to strengthen your confidence in Christ’s work in your life and in the future.

If you’d like to participate in our Bible Study, please contact us with your comments, questions, and prayer requests or at twosmallfish@verizon.net . Be sure to mention today’s Bible study in the subject line to get my attention.

A special reminder: to find out what other readers have to say check out the comment page.

May God grant you safety, reassurance of His love, and the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Brenda Hendricks.