Would you become great? Ungodly Judah, thinks, turns, trusts, confesses.. repents. And God blessed by making him a great man.

Why not.. all this happening with his older bro Reuben who should have known better?  Well, Reuben stubbornly opted to cover his sin instead.  

With the proper Jewish situation at the time, if the son(s) wouldn’t raise up an heir for his dead brother, the dad could fill-in and do that, but Judah and his remaining sons didn’t do that. 

Again, more family trickery. Apparently Tamar made a plan after noticing how Judah, after the death of his Gentile wife, had a habit of seeking comfort by visiting prostitutes. So Tamar took a risk and ended up with twins Perez and Zerah. Grandchild - Hezron.

“Judah identified them and said, ‘She (meaning his daughter in law, Tamar) is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.’ And he did not know her again.” (See Gen. 38:20-26) #emph.mine. Muse on...

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.” 1 Corinthians 11:31 

“Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder. While Israel was living in that region, Reuben (Jacob’s 1st born) went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.” Genesis 35:21-22

Reuben, “Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence..” Gen. 49:1

But Judah judged himself. Why wait and have God’s judgement arrive instead? And God changed him into a great man. 

Be fast, yes, quicker to go tell on you ..to God! He already knows it all anyways (Receive God’s free forgiveness. Learn more, click here).

1. Be brave in getting honest (Gen. 38:20-26). 
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Prov. 28:13)
2. Be humble, faithful, selfless, godly, a wise witness and example of good character.    
God does care about you, about how you are / live.. and about good works -- yes, about them being on the right side of your born again experience, not merely before trying to earn your salvation. Ain’t gunna happen--it’s religious. 
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Lk. 16:10) 
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Lk. 16:10) 
“A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies.” (Pro 14:5)
"Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Lk. 16:11). Hey, remember how the Father and Jesus are faithful (1 Co. 1:9, Deut. 7:9), and Moses was, (Num. 12:7). 
“Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (Lk. 16:11)
“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (1 Co. 4:2)
“And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'” (Lk. 19:17)

Moses did not fully share all things regarding Tamar’s plan and seduction of her father-in-law. Think about it, she really was after all the victim in this story though she did all that she could possibly do to faithfully bear a son for her dead yet ungodly husband, Er. Genesis 38 really condemns Judah, implying at least that his passive sin partially justifies Tamar’s non-passive acts.

Judah’s years of wickedness is plain. He defied his forefathers’ wisdom (24:1–9; 26:34–35; 28:1–2). He became yoked in marriage to a Canaanite (38:1–3). He showed no drive to properly give Abraham offspring and ignored a helpless widow when he withheld his son Shelah from his daughter-in-law (38:11, 14b). He actually made Esau’s errors (26:34–35; Heb. 12:12–17), for he married a pagan-chic and later lustfully played the fool in seeking after a prostitute (Gen. 38:15–19; Prov. 23:27). Judah also felt eye-for-an-eye justice when Tamar’s deception of him involved a goat and clothing (38:15–26) since he earlier deceived Jacob with these things (37:29–35). 

Think about how Jacob deceived using goat skin. 

This reveals Judah’s own evil acts. In 38:20–23, he sent his friend with a goat to pay his debt to Tamar and retrieve his own seal and staff. Both of these would bear his identity / name, and he would have been embarrassed if they were found in a harlot’s possession. This potential embarrassment, with no hint of remorse for his wicked lust, moves Judah to stop looking for Tamar lest his sexual dalliances become publicized. Would he forever hide, conceal, cover his sins?

Nope. He’d be exposed, for he wouldn’t expose himself. 

Not surprisingly, Judah is way stricter, tougher, harsher with Tamar for her alleged immorality than he is with himself for his own perverse sins (v. 24). Tamar was factually and technically betrothed to Shelah (v. 11), and her apparent adultery merited execution under the proper conditions (by stoning, not more painfully by fire). 

Why are we typically so quick to judge and much harsher on those people who do the same sins we do?

Yet Judah changes his tune when Tamar produces his staff and ring as proof that capital punishment rightly applies to him as well (Deut. 22:22–24). She was ready for him. 

Judah now sees his own refusal to give Tamar a husband for the sin that it really was. He made it clear that Tamar was more righteous than he because his refusal to get to her a husband had literally pressured her to take matters into her own hands. And she took such drastic action. (Gen. 38:25–26).

This son from the chosen line, Judah, has put his duty off. He has cared so little to live according to God’s holy promise (15:1–6) and give Abraham many well-taught grandsons. By contrast and great risk to her own life, Tamar has acted to increase the patriarch’s progeny even though she was not brought up knowing this Lord of truth, justice and super kind love.

Study through, prayerfully muse on, meditate upon:  

Num. 5:5–7
2 Chron. 7:14
Luke 18:9–14
James 5:16

What did Judah’s disobedient refusal to give Tamar a husband show? He revealed that his faith was really weak (James 2:14–26). Let God save and strengthen you! 

We likewise show our faith to be weak, lacking, yes wanting when we passively or actively sin against the Lord. Why are we more concerned about offending other people these days..like the snowflakes with anything we believe.. than offending God with sin. Let's be bold in Christ.. yes, become more concerned with offending Him in sin, than offending any human-beings. 

Like Judah, we would be wiser to become willing to confess our own sins before God and others whom we trust when the Spirit convicts our hearts. Fast.. when the Holy Spirit pricks our consciences. Truth and God’s grace should win inside of us. It should so far prevail with all of us, even today, so that we should never become too embarrassed or feel ashamed to quickly confess em... before God and the whole world. All those sins with which the seeing God charges us. Choose to trust Jesus today! 

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it." Luke 9:24

I've never regretted that day in the Spring of '77 in Newport Beach area when I decided to repent and trust Christ as my Savior. Not one day, and really don't mind sayin' it. Jesus Christ has all the way been good to me! 

Facebook.com/shareJesus

Only two kinds of people these days -- Judah-types and Reuben-types. Back in Joseph's day he had some rascals as brothers. How did they differ?

Seems like there are only two kinds of people these days. There sure are two: 1.) Judah-types, who turn and confess their sins to God. Their hearts are softened, and 2.) The hard-hearted Reuben-types who for some excuse or another.. cover their-sins-up and refuse to humbly repent and believe. They are calloused, or seared dead inside. Even the fig leaves don't work good enough with them. The Bible says... 

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 

“People who conceal their sins will not prosper,  but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy..” (nlt)

Joseph was a saved-sinner by faith -- he'd experienced brokenness like Judah had. So many people on earth -- there are only two types of em really. Lost or saved, (forgiven). Those not yet born again spiritually, and those totally cleansed and regenerated. Those in Christ who are open to maturation, wanting to grow in the grace and truth of the Scriptures..... and those not yet this way who have remained closed to His Message of truth. They’re just not yet into being spiritual in a healthy balanced sense, not into maturing on every level. They don’t want to think about heaven, hell or the spiritual battles that rage around them. 

Judah was a rank sinner too, like his brothers were, but remember how he claimed that his wrong was greater than Tamar's, and how his offense was more worthy of punishment. True, it was. But his changed heart was the start of his true repentance. Some are merely sorry that they got caught, that they've been exposed and there are now consequences. I'm sure that you've encountered false repentance before, but this wasn't like that. I personally was saved in a moment when confronted with my sin in a small Newport Beach Bible study. Sometimes there's a bit of a process when someone's coming to repentance though. The Spirit works as their mind engages with Him -- God reasons with them.

"Come now, and let us reason together,' Says the LORD, 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'" Isa. 1:18 nkjv (Come to Christ right here and now. No excuses. No need to wimp-out and put it off another moment!)

Then his inner changed heart led to outward changed behavior: "And he did not know her again" (v. 26c). Although in some perverted way Judah could have rightly taken Tamar as a wife, he knew that would be wrong. So he never again indulges in lustful pleasure with her again, completely turning from his past sinful ways. 

Think about it. Judah does seem to be a man transformed by genuine repentance—a change of mind leading to an ongoing change of behavior. For throughout the rest of Genesis, we witness Judah's nobility, his selfless leadership, and his courage. God will use this changed sinner with faith to carry on the covenant name—the promised seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Judah had lost his seal to a prostitute, but here God seals him with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14; 4:30). He had lost his staff in a proverbial and perverse one-night stand, but God would replace it with a royal scepter (Gen 49:10). He had been impure with a woman not his wife.. God hates such infidelity ..but the Lord would make him a new man with a new heart who longed to worship and obey Yahweh.  

No, but Judah’s a believer whose faith points ahead in time to the cross. Our saving faith points back in time to the Cross.

Are you open or closed? Do you live a life of integrity, a life on-fire for Christ? 

Believer, I challenge you to. Yes, live the life by faith and the power of the Spirit, and go tell your story. And share the Gospel tactfully. Do this clearly. boldly, accurately. I like to spend my time verbally witnessing to people who are open to the truth rather than those how stick a palm in my face. You know what I mean - I only want to be a blessing to people. And why cast my pearls before spiritual swine who are closed-minded? Maybe they've been burned somehow before by a so called Christian? I want to pray for both open and closed people. -- we all need to do that because God can turn a closed-minded person into an open minded by His mercy and grace. 

Are you open to the Gospel or closed-minded? Are you forgiven and forgiving?

Forgiven people really need to become forgiving people, and those "cover-ers of personal sin" need to learn how to run to God to uncover it all to Him. He knows it all anyways.  

It’s a good thing to quickly..not slowly..go tell on yourself to God asking for his cleansing so you can learn to hate sin like He does.

For me what's beautiful to see is not only how Joseph constantly gives the credit to God with the use of his gift, but I never seem him exploiting or maneuvering or manipulating or even grasping for a higher position in life (Love.. isn’t self-seeking). He wanted the baker to remember him in prison because he suffered injustice and wanted deliverance is all. It was Pharaoh's birthday and what gifts did he get? He got two dreams and a leader in Joseph. Joe's head is lifted up elevated (Study: Remember what happened to John the baptizer’s head on King Herod’s birthday after all that dancing?). After interpreting the king’s dreams, Joe sees the great need immediately (for two Egyptian administrators, a wise and a discerning one there. v.33), but he not once acts self-seeking or self promoting (he obviously does not view himself as wise or discerning. See the context. Joseph in Gen. 41:34-35 says, “Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.” What was the greatest gift there with Joe? This.. “The Lord was with Joseph” (the Giver of good gifts was there. Genesis 39:3, 5, 21, 23). You and I may also suffer injustice or come into other distressing circumstances at times, but our attitude, outlook and how we respond is always important. Think, talk and act like proper men.. men. Think, talk and act like proper women.. women! As we learn from the account of Joseph’s life, by remaining faithful to the Faithful One (the Lord) and accepting that God is ultimately in charge of the situation, we can be confident that the Lord will deliver, will comfort, will restore, and will eventually... in His perfect time.. reward us. Who would blame Joseph if he had turned his brothers away in their their time of need? Yet Joseph showed them mercy, and God desires that we exercise mercy above all other sacrifices (Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13). Joseph’s story shows us how God overarching sovereignly works to overcome evil and to bring about His good plan. After all Joseph’s multiple ordeals, Joseph was able to see God’s hand at work..even to fix his own family situation. As he finally revealed his identity to his brothers, Joseph spoke of their sin this way: “Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.. It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:5, 8). Later, Joseph again reassured his worried brothers, offering them his forgiveness and saying, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Man’s most wicked intentions can never thwart the perfect plan of God.

Joseph was a forgiven believer with a gift. He was a forgiver too like his God is. 

Notice with Joseph’s forgiveness of his bros--there was a realistic appraisal of their sin. “You meant it evil against me..” No: “Aww, you guys, don’t worry about it. Just forget it--It was nothing.”

Remember this... that cheap or flippant forgiveness is no forgiveness at all. And apologies really ought not try to do the job that only repentance can do. A nicely worded slippery apology is merely a courtesy to civility--sure, it can be an end-run around true repentance. We all need the later and saving faith. How easy it is to be flippant in forgiveness or even in receiving God's free forgiveness. It’s been rightly said that, “Forgiveness is never any better than our personal ability to receive it.” Have you..yet? 

Think about it, Jesus Christ came from Judah who humbled himself and changed Listen, when you and I get to heaven through faith in Christ and we get to meet some Old Testament people like Jacob, Judah, and Joseph we will see that they are there by faith alone with nothing added to it. None of them earned their way in by good works. Like we in faith point back in time to the Cross, these godly people in faith pointed ahead in time to that bloody Cross at Calvary -- to Jesus the Ultimate Solution for all mankind.

These believing-sinners were not puffed up with pride, but were humble, were open to and committed to Scriptural truth. They were submitted to authority (both Direct and delegated authority). There was brokenness, repentance, contrition, the fear of God and love with them. Their hearts had a Yes-posture towards the Holy Spirit of God, yes to whatever, whenever and wherever -- they maintained that. Their candid openness and confession towards God.. their relationship is what helped these men to obey, to grow, to mature and to glorify the Lord. And God used these people to save and help so many others! God can use us too!

See (Gen 44:18-32) how Judah tells Joseph the whole recent story from the beginning (JUDAH SELFLESSLY INTERCEDES FOR BENJAMIN).

When he Jacob sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die: Think about it, 20 years before Joseph’s brothers showed a callous disregard of their father when they reported Joseph’s supposed death (Genesis 37:31-33). Judah showed they were now greatly concerned for the feelings and welfare of their father. This was more evidence of a change of heart.

See (Gen 44:33-34) how Judah is ready to lay down his life for Benjamin and his father. You recall how Judah was the one who suggested selling Joseph 20 years earlier. (37:26-27). We tend to look up to our older brothers as heros or examples, so can you imagine how Joseph felt when all his bros completely betrayed him?

1. Who was this Joseph in the Bible? How did he not lose his faith or hope?

How is understanding the life of Joseph the overcomer valuable to our spiritual growth?

2. Why did Pharaoh give Joseph so much power?

Why did Pharaoh make Joseph second in command over all of Egypt?

3. What is the story of Joseph and Potiphar?

Why did Potiphar have Joseph thrown in prison of having him killed?

4. What should we learn from the tribe of Joseph?

What does the Bible say about the tribe of Joseph?

5. What is the story of Joseph and his brothers?

Why did Joseph's brothers sell him into slavery?

6. What kind of "divination" did Joseph do in Genesis 44:5, 15?

Why would Joseph even use divination.. or did he really.. when this is against God's commands?

7. Who were the priests of On? Was Joseph wrong to marry the daughter of a pagan priest (Genesis 41)?

Was Joseph wrong to marry the daughter of a pagan priest (Genesis 41)? Why did Pharaoh give Joseph the daughter of a priest?

8. Where was Joseph when Jesus was an adult?

What happened to Joseph? Did Joseph die before Jesus began His public ministry?

9. Was Joseph the same person as Imhotep in Egyptian history?

10. Why did Jacob give Joseph a coat of many colors? Was it wise for him to do this for Joseph?

Why were Joseph's brothers so angry at him? Every had a teacher, a boss or parents play favorites with a sibling.

11. What can we learn from the account of Potiphar’s wife?

Why did lustful Potiphar's wife get all warm to Joseph's form instead of remain faithful to her husband. As is so common in our day.. why did she get this urge to unrighteously merge..proactively trying to seduce him?

12. Who was Benjamin in the Bible and how did Joseph feel about him?

13. Today there are so many weird and off-base teachings on dreams, but what are some biblical examples of dream interpretation?

14. How did God use dreams and visions in the Bible.. even in the life of Joseph?

Why did God choose to give out some promises via dreams -- why did He communicate through dreams and visions to people?

Like Joseph, do you need to forgive someone who hurt or rejected you? Perhaps you need to receive forgiveness? God is near and He can help you!

Take Hold Of The Grace To Let It Go! 

OUTLINE: Genesis (origins) by content is comprised of two basic sections: 1) Primitive history (Gen. 1–11) and 2) Patriarchal history (Gen. 12–50). Primitive history records 4 major events: 1) Creation (Gen. 1, 2); 2) the Fall (Gen. 3–5); 3) the Flood (Gen. 6–9); and 4) the Dispersion (Gen. 10, 11). Patriarchal history spotlights 4 great men: 1) Abraham (Gen. 12:1–25:8); 2) Isaac (Gen. 21:1–35:29); 3) Jacob (Gen. 25:21–50:14); and 4) Joseph (Gen. 30:22–50:26). God’s blesses who he will. Multiple times the first born in Genesis is passed over through Ephraim and Manasseh.

God delights to bless us, but also wants us to stay blessable in His will as we follow Jesus. ~ kv

He wants to bless us.. not so that blessing would merely terminate upon on us, but in order to make us a blessing to others. Yes, a blessing to cities the nations..but starting at home. He told us to go share the Gospel. You and I have a part in helping to bring others to Him -- in helping to bring closure with His Great Commission! 

D. JOSEPH (the suffering and glory), Chapters 37-50

1. Jacob dwells in Canaan — Joseph sold into slavery, Gen 37

2. Sin and shame of Judah, Gen 38

3. Humiliation in Egypt, Gen 39, 40

a. Overseer in house of Potiphar — tempted then framed by wife of Potiphar — imprisoned, Gen 39

b. Joseph in prison interprets dreams of baker and butler, Gen 40

4. Exaltation in Egypt, Gen 41-48

a. Joseph interprets dreams of Pharaoh — made overseer of Egypt — marries Asenath — birth of Manasseh and Ephraim (tribes that became more blessed than the tribes of Jacob's sons?), Gen 41

b. Jacob sends 10 sons to Egypt for corn — they gain an audience with Joseph — they leave Simeon there as hostage — then return home to Canaan with corn (wheat) and refunded money to them, Gen 42

God is on the throne – hasn’t fallen off. Won’t ever fall off, and nothing surprises Him. You know nothing ever catches Him off-guard. You know He hasn't forgotten you or your situation. God hasn't abandoned me. And I indeed can have confidence. You can too. But the cry (of Genesis 42:36), "All things are against me" (looked like that to Jacob, but ) this was a false cry based upon fragmentary knowledge (We should never measure the problem by that which we can see outwardly). The Bible tells us that "all things are working together FOR good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). All things against us? No. What do "all things" include? "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Famine, persecution, nakedness, peril, sword? Nay, in all these things" (Romans 8:35).

These things may include famine. They may include nakedness. They may include peril. They may include sword. But if I have to endure these kinds of afflictions, whatever comes it's working together for good because I love God and they cannot separate me from the love of God. For "in all these things I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me. For I am persuaded, that neither depth, nor height, nor principalities, nor angels, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor any other creature, is able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:37-39).

c. Jacob sends sons (Benjamin included--didn't feel like sending) back again to Egypt — they were entertained in Joseph’s home (Joe doesn't reveal his identity to em), Gen 43

d. Joseph sends his brothers home — arrested by steward — cup found in Benjamin’s sack, — Judah (becoming a great man now) really pleads for Benjamin, Gen 44 (chaps. 42–45 are all about how God worked in setting up this family reunion)

--(Gen 44:1-5) Why did Joseph put the money in his brothers’ bags again?

a. As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away: The brothers left Egypt in high spirits. They were treated well, had their sacks full of grain, and Simeon was out of prison. Their father Jacob’s fear of something horrible happening would not be fulfilled.

b. Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money: As before, the grain sacks of the brothers are topped off by the money they paid for the grain, but this time, Joseph has his special silver cup put in the sack of Benjamin.

c. Why have you repaid evil for good? Some wrongly think that Joseph did this simply to use his position of power to torment his brothers in revenge for their cruelty towards him. Yet knowing the character of Joseph, this wasn’t the case. Guided by the hand of God, Joseph tested the hearts of his brothers and brought them to complete repentance.

d. He indeed practices divination: We know from other sources that ancients did use sacred cups as divination devices. It is possible Joseph did also, because there was not yet specific revelation from God that such a practice was forbidden. Yet, it was not Joseph who said he used the cup for divination, but his servant, who may have wrongly assumed Joseph’s spiritual insight and wisdom were more due to this cup than to his relationship with the living God.

--(Gen 44:6-10) The brothers claim they are innocent of theft and they were of this, but guilty of so much more--selling their bro into slavery. They’d sure weren’t honest with their brokenhearted dad. 

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “conspiracy”? 

Do you think of some kind of evil scheme, born from an inner grudge, jealousy, or of pure treachery, greed and hate? 

Well, these Genesis passages deal with a conspiracy of selfishness and hate indeed (coming from the brothers towards Joseph), and these passages also deal with a very different kind of conspiracy: A conspiracy of selfless love masterminded by God together with Joseph.. that was toward his brothers. 

We believers tend to ask precise diagnostic questions when witnessing. Wanna know.. is this person a believer, or unbeliever? Are they hardhearted-nominal or lukewarm spiritually, or carnally minded, or worldly..or spiritually dead inside? 

There were some diagnostic questions and negotiations of sorts with Joe as well.. just to find out where his brother's hearts were at when they met up in Egypt. Did they still have those proud hard-hearts with that grudge? Where they self-seeking and covering their sins, or bitterness with unbelief and treachery? Were they now this way towards their brother Benjamin? 

Joe so hoped they had change, and become right inside -- he longed to help and bless them! Really didn't want to get in God's way. We all reap what we sow..and can learn, know and grow. Joe didn't want to act as some co-dependent enabler just blocking (instructive) consequences that could lead to true repentance.. if zero change had happened there. He earnestly hoped they could together one day have that joyous family reunion! He SO missed his dad who had also been sinned against by them. What lessons did Joe and his big bros learn? So intriguing was this conspiracy of hate by the bros, as well as this conspiracy of love by Joseph! 

--(Gen 44:11-13) The cup is found in Benjamin’s sack.

--(Gen 44:14-17) Judah commits himself and all the brothers to stick with Benjamin, even as slaves in Egypt.

Makes me consider brother Reuben with Bilhah (Gen. 35:21-22, 49:1). Reuben was Jacob's first born, and one who covered his sin, but Judah was different. He didn't cover his sin, but judged himself and God made Him into a great man. Jesus came from Judah. The Bible says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

--(Gen 44:18-32) Judah tells Joseph the whole recent story from the beginning (I LOVE HOW JUDAH SELFLESSLY INTERCEDES FOR BENJAMIN).

--When he Jacob sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die: Think about it, 20 years before Joseph’s brothers showed a callous disregard of their father when they reported Joseph’s supposed death (Genesis 37:31-33). Judah showed they were now greatly concerned for the feelings and welfare of their father. This was more evidence of a change of heart.

--(Gen 44:33-34) Judah lays down his life for Benjamin and his father. You recall how Judah was the one who suggested selling Joseph 20 years earlier. (37:26-27)

i. Moses was willing to offer himself for the salvation of Israel (Exodus 32:31-32), and so was Paul (Romans 9:1-4). Sacrificial love is evidence of our transformation (John 13:34).

ii. Through this chapter there is remarkable evidence of the changed hearts of Joseph’s brothers.

· Playing favorites was not wise for Jacob, but the brothers did not resent it when Benjamin was given the favored portion (Genesis 43:34)

· They trusted each other, not accusing each other of wrong when accused of stealing the cup (Genesis 44:9)

· They stuck together when the silver cup was found. They did not abandon the favored son and allow him to be carried back to Egypt alone (Genesis 44:13)

· They completely humbled themselves for the sake of the favored son (Genesis 44:14)

· They knew their predicament was the result of their sin against Joseph (Genesis 44:16)

· They offered themselves as slaves to Egypt, not abandoning Benjamin, the favored son, their brother (Genesis 44:16)

· They showed due concern for how this might affect their father (Genesis 44:29-31)

· Judah was willing to be a substitutionary sacrifice for his brother out of love for his father and his brethren (Genesis 44:33). There are only two kinds of people these days -- Judah-types and Reuben-types. Those who confess and forsake their sins and those who refuse to, but instead cover them. (Read more on this. Lost or saved, hell bound or heaven bound) 

e. Joseph reveals identity — has a tender reunion with his brothers — invites his dad Jacob and all family members to Egypt, Gen 45 

Notice with Joseph’s forgiveness of his bros--there was a realistic appraisal of their sin. “You meant it evil against me..” No: “Aww, you guys, don’t worry about it. Just forget it--It was nothing.” Remember that cheap or flippant forgiveness is no forgiveness at all. And apologies don’t try to do the job that only repentance can do. A nicely worded slippery apology is merely a courtesy to civility--it can be an end run around true repentance. How easy it is to be flippant in forgiveness or even in receiving forgiveness. It’s been said, “Forgiveness is never any better than our ability to receive it.” Have you? )

Joseph had fully forgiven them and said, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. Therefore do not be afraid." Genesis 50:10-20 

"You planned evil against me", "you intended to harm", "you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…”

f. Jacob with family (70) move to Egypt with Pharaohs help — Jacob and Joseph reunited, Gen 46

g. Jacob and the brothers dwell in Goshen — are presented to Pharaoh — famine forces Egyptians to sell their lands to Joseph for Pharaoh — Joseph swears he will bury Jacob in Canaan where he wanted to be. Jacob believed in the promise, Gen 47

h. Jacob on deathbed blesses Joseph’s sons, Gen 48

Joseph wanted a blessing from his dad, Jacob, for the oldest of his two boys. Remember Manasseh and Ephraim? Grandpa Jacob basically said, Well it’s time, so bring your boys to me Joseph.. bring them up here close so that I can bless them now. You know in the Hebrew tradition it’s normal for the father to bless the older son -- giving him the first blessing by placing his right hand upon his head, and then after that to bless the younger by placing his left hand upon his head. But what happened? To Joseph's surprise and astonishment his dad, Jacob, reaches out and blesses Ephraim with his right hand. What’s sup with that?

It’s pretty interesting all through this book. Yes, go check out how it went with the oldest sons in Genesis -- it didn't always go as the family members expect it to go. Seth is blessed instead of Cain. Shem is blessed instead of Japheth. Abram is blessed instead of Haran. Isaac is blessed instead of Ishmael. Jacob is blessed instead of Esau. And now...here it's younger Ephraim getting blessed instead of Manasseh the firstborn. God's blessing often does flow through natural family lines, but anytime God chooses He can bless whoever He will... cuz He is God and we the people are not.

5. Death and burial of Jacob and Joseph, Gen 49, 50

a. Jacob gives deathbed blessing and prophecy for 12 sons, Gen 49

b. Death and burial of Jacob in Canaan — death and burial of Joseph in Egypt, Gen 50
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