The One Who Knows Man’s Heart, Genesis 42-44

Last time, we discussed some of the incidents that would propel young Joseph into a world far removed from that which he knew.  We considered some of the similarities between Joseph and Jesus; similarities that make Joseph a type of Christ.  Like Jesus, Joseph was hated by his people  but eventually exalted by the king to a place of honor and authority.  As long as Joseph was in the prison, a place of humiliation, he was rejected.  As long as Christ was in the weakness of human flesh, He was despised.  While Joseph remained unknown to his brothers, his dealings with them were strange and mysterious.  When man doesn’t know Jesus, God’s dealing with him seem strange and mysterious, too.  Until we truly get to know Jesus Christ His dealings with us by His Holy Spirit often seem puzzling.  The apostle Paul knew this when he wrote-

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12, NIV)

As Joseph is a type of Christ, remember that Jesus told His followers-

It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.  (John 16:7, NIV)

Earlier, Jesus mentioned this Counselor like this-

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. (John 14:6, NIV)

That phrase, “another Counselor” in the Greek actually means “another of the same kind.”  So, in the Holy Spirit we simply have Christ in another form dwelling within each of us.

With that in mind, then, let’s consider Joseph as a type of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

1.  Joseph’s attitude, 42:23

[Joseph] was using an interpreter. (NIV)
In the midst of the terrible famine, Jacob, now very old, sent his sons to the only place in the world where there was food:  Egypt.  Since Joseph was now the “supreme ruler over the land,” the bothers were obliged to approach him.  Apparently many others had the same idea, notice verse 5–

So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.  (NIV)
Joseph recognized his brothers immediately, although they did not recognize him at all.  It had been some 20 years since they last saw him.  Joseph by now was in his late 30’s and “thoroughly Egyptianized” (K & D).  Furthermore, even though he recognized them right away, Joseph acted like a “foreigner” before them.  As was the custom of the  day, he did not speak directly to them, but rather spoke through a translator.

The brothers had not yet been reconciled to Joseph, so he had no way of knowing what their attitude would be to him.  For that reason, Joseph kept his identity secret for now.  The Holy Spirit is the great Interpreter of Christ’s words to us.  He speaks to us while we are in a sinful state by His convicting spirit.  While we are strangers to Him He can only deal with us as a ruler, not as a brother.  Of course, we should be thankful that God speaks to us at all.  Never downplay the role of the Holy Spirit in your life.  He is often the forgotten member of the Trinity, but He is so precious to us, as He speaks to us, as only He can, of God’s boundless love for us.

2.  Joseph’s manner of speech, 42:7

As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them.  (NIV)

“Harshly” may be a slightly harsh was to translate the Hebrew.  It’s not that Joseph was mean, but he was succinct and to the point.  Joseph’s questions to his brothers were pointed and hard.  As you read the gospels, you likely noticed that sometimes Jesus seemed brusque when talking to certain people.  Sometimes even with us, He has to speak “hard things” to get through to us.  To awaken us to the awful state of our own sinfulness, the Holy Spirit often confronts us, in love naturally, but confronts us all the same, in most definite and decided manner.  The only way any of us can truly appreciate the immenseness of God’s forgiveness is to experience the bitter pangs of guilt brought on by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.  If Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, speaks “harsh things” to us, it is so that we might be prepared to receive His exceedingly great kindness.

3.  The Results, 42:21

They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come upon us.”  (NIV)

Joseph did not say a word about it, but the brothers experienced, perhaps for the very first time, the guilt of their sin.  This is exactly what the Holy Spirit does in the life of a believer.  Long-forgotten sins are dragged out and exposed to God’s light.  Notice what the brothers said:  We are verily guilty, (KJV).  This awful feeling which every believer feels, is actually a good thing because it opens the door and allows the Spirit to do His work in our hearts.

4.  The New Privileges, 43:16

“Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon.”   (NIV)

The bothers acknowledged their sin, now they are in a position to enjoy Joseph’s favor.  What grace was shown these men!  Eating in the house of a man in Joseph’s position was unheard of!  The Lord Jesus Christ, when we have been made right with Him, leads us to His banqueting table.  Here’s what Jesus told the church in Laodicia–

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (Rev. 3:20, NIV).

But, make note of this:  They still didn’t know who this man was; their eyes were not opened.  It is possible to be feasting on His mercies, yet be relative strangers to Him.  I hope that’s none of you.

5.  Joseph’s Compassion, 42:24; 43:32; 45:2

He turned away from them and began to weep, but then turned back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.  Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.  And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.  (NIV)

Joseph’s heart was still tender, despite what his brothers had done to him and despite the hardships he experienced during the intervening twenty years.  Even while he spoke “harshly” to them, his heart was breaking for them.  What lessons we can learn from his example:

• While God may deal severely with us, He never stops loving us. Proverbs 3:11, 12 sheds light on God’s dealings with us–

My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves,  as a father the son he delights in. (NIV)
So powerful are those verses, that the writer to the Hebrews, many years later, quoted them verbatim, but added–

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. (Heb. 12:10, NIV).

• Secondly, what a lesson for those of us dealing with unbelievers or Christians struggling in their walk. If we must speak hard things, if we must confront a brother or sister, then we must do so in love. Think of Paul as he wrote these words–

For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. (Phil. 3:18, NIV).

6.  A Changed Life, 44:3

“Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.”  (NIV)

This is a remarkable verse: the one who sold Joseph as a slave is now the one who offers himself as Joseph’s slave!  What changed Judah’s life?  The words and actions of Joseph, the one whom God had highly exalted.  I trust the influence of Christ has brought about the same change in each one of us.  For that matter, are we willing to give ourselves for the good of others?

7.  The Revealing, 45:4

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  (NIV)

The brothers had confessed:  God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants (Gen. 44:16, KJV).  And so, sin has been dealt, the crippling guilt has dissipated, and now the full revelation can be given to them.  Jesus Christ, like Joseph, offers us His gifts and invites us to come near to Him so that He may reveal Himself to us in all His glory.  This blessing–to know God personally–is a blessing only believers can receive.   We need to know God fully so that we will trust Him fully.  Our heart’s attitude should be like that of Paul–

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. (1 Cor. 2:2, NIV)

I want to know Christ  (Phil. 3:10a NIV).

8.  The Comfort, 45:5, 15

 And now, 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. And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. (NIV)

What can you say about a man like that?  When the Lord makes Himself known to us, sometimes it hurts.  Nobody wants to see themselves the way they really are.  But when we finally and inevitably come to that place where we acknowledge our shortcoming and failings, then we can experience forgiveness and mercy and the grace that comes through the sweet Holy Spirit.

As we conclude this morning, let’s look at the last phrase of verse 15–

Afterward his brothers talked with him.  (NIV)

It is only after we have acknowledged truly sorry state, and after we have confessed our sins and accepted God’s forgiveness that we may talk to Him as a friend talks to his friend.  The words to hymn are so appropriate–

What a fellowship!  What joy divine! Leaning on the everlasting arms…