Restoring Relationships

A lesson from ancient sibling rivalry

I. Advice for the offender.

a. Obey to the direction of the Father

Genesis 42:1-3 (English Standard Version) ¹When^(A) Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” ²And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may^(B) live and not die.” ³So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.

b. Approach carefully in humility

Genesis 42:6 (English Standard Version) ⁶Now Joseph was governor^(A) over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and^(B) bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.

c. Guard against unreal expectations

Genesis 42:7 (English Standard Version) ⁷Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and^(A) spoke roughly to them. “Where do you come from?” he said. They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

d. Be prepared for the test of integrity.

Genesis 42:9-10 (English Standard Version) ⁹And Joseph^(A) remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them.^(B) And he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.” ¹⁰They said to him, “No, my lord, your servants have come to buy food.

e. Remember that gifts ingratiates.

Genesis 43:11-12 (English Standard Version) ¹¹Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry a present down to the man, a little^(A) balm and a little honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds. ¹²Take double the money with you. Carry back with you the money^(B) that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight.

II. Advice for the offended.

a. Guard your heart

Genesis 39:20-21 (English Standard Version) ²⁰And Joseph’s master took him and^(A) put him into the^(B) prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. ²¹But^(C) the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love^(D) and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

b. Keep the dream alive

Genesis 42:9 (English Standard Version)⁹And Joseph^(A) remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them.^(B) And he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.”

c. Don’t return evil for evil

Genesis 42:25 (English Standard Version) ^25(A) And Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, and to replace every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. This was done for them.

d. Make sure the sincerity of the offender is pure.

Genesis 42:15-16 (English Standard Version) ¹⁵By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. ¹⁶Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.”

e. Receive the effort of the offender

Genesis 43:15-16 (English Standard Version) ¹⁵So the men took this present, and they took double the money with them, and Benjamin. They arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. ¹⁶When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the^(A) steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and slaughter an animal and make ready, for the men are to dine with me at noon.”

III. Tips for insuring success

a. No matter how difficult the process persevere

b. Even when tested don’t lose your cool.

c. There is no room for ego in the restoration process.

d. Fellowship is the fuel of restoration.

The Dreamer

A Lesson on success from Joseph

Genesis 37:3-11 (English Standard Version) ³Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was^(B) the son of his old age. And he made him^(C) a robe of many colors.^{[a] 4}But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. ⁵Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. ⁶He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: ⁷Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold,^(D) my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and^(E) bowed down to my sheaf.” ⁸His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words ⁹Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” ¹⁰But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and^(F) your mother and your brothers indeed come^(G) to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” ¹¹And^(H) his brothers were jealous of him,^(I) but his father kept the saying in mind.

1) The test of persecution

Genesis 37:5 (English Standard Version) ⁵Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even  more.

a. How easy are you assuaged by your critics?

b. What matters most is the opinion of the Almighty

Test Question: Will I lose my faith when the pressure is on?

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (English Standard Version) ⁸We are^(A) afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but^(B) not forsaken;^(C) struck down, but not destroyed

2) The test of bitterness

Genesis 37:18 (English Standard Version) ¹⁸They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them^(A) they conspired against him to kill him.

a. How well do we hold up to betrayal?

b. Will we hold offense when we find out how cheaply others value your relationship?

Genesis 37:28 (English Standard Version) ²⁸Then^(A) Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and^(B) sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels^[a] of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.
Test Question: Will I hold on to my anger when I am done wrong?
Ephesians 4:26-27 (English Standard Version) ^26(A) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷and^(B) give no opportunity to the devil.

3) The test of integrity

Genesis 39:7-9 (English Standard Version) ⁷And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” ⁸But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and^(A) he has put everything that he has in my charge. ⁹He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and^(B) sin against God?”

a. Refuse to compromise at all cost

b. Great responsibilities require greater boundaries.

c. The greatest test of one’s integrity comes when there is no accountability.

Test Question: Will I still obey God when nobody is watching?
Proverbs 11:3 (English Standard Version) ^3(A) The integrity of the upright guides them, ^(B) but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

4) The test of complaining

Genesis 39:19-20 (English Standard Version) ¹⁹As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. ²⁰And Joseph’s master took him and^(A) put him into the^(B) prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison.

a. Complaining is the fruit of negative thinking.

b. Negative thinking is a result of mental conditioning.

c. The quickest way to avoid a complaining spirit is to embrace the life situation and look for solutions.

“a problem without a solution is complaining”

Test Question: What will come out of my mouth when I am treated unfairly?

Proverbs 18:20 (English Standard Version) ^20(A) From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

5) The test of selfishness

Genesis 40:7 (English Standard Version) ⁷So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house,^(A) “Why are your faces downcast today?”

a. When we think of others we do not have time to be self absorbed.

b. Selfishness breeds discontent.

Test Question: When things get hard, will I only look out for number 1?

Luke 9:24 (English Standard Version) ²⁴For^(A) whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

6) The test of being forgotten

Genesis 40:23 (English Standard Version) ²³Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

a. Does our service to others come with strings attached?

b. Will we commit if there is no credit?

Test Question: What will I do if nobody notices all my hard work?

Galatians 6:3-5 (English Standard Version) ³For^(A) if anyone thinks he is something,^(B) when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴But let each one^(C) test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. ⁵For^(D) each will have to bear his own load.

7) The test of pride

Genesis 41:16 (English Standard Version) ¹⁶Joseph answered Pharaoh,^(A) “It is not in me;^(B) God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”^[a]

^{a. The blessing of God is the fruit of humility.}

1 Peter 5:5-6 (English Standard Version) ⁵Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.^(A) Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for^(B) “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ^6(C) Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

^{b. Acknowledgement of weakness is the cure for pride.}

2 Corinthians 12:9 (English Standard Version) ⁹But he said to me, ^(A) “My grace is sufficient for you, for^(B) my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that^(C) the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Test Question: Who will get the glory when I am praised – me or God?

1 Corinthians 10:31 (English Standard Version) ³¹So, whether you eat or drink, or^(A) whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Joseph

A prophetic message of the work of Messiah

John 5:39 39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,

Genesis 37:1-4 1 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. 2 This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

Twenty-one ways that Joseph, son of Israel, points forward to Messiah:

-       He was God’s chosen leader for the Family of Israel. God made His choice  clear both to him and to the Family he was to rule.

-       Most of his brothers rejected his rule. Some plotted his death.

-       The father sent him on a mission of mercy, seeking his brothers.

-       He was lowered into the earth, but came back up out of it.

-       Some of his brothers claimed he was dead when they knew he was really alive. Others sincerely mourned his death.

-       His rejection by his brothers caused him to be sent out among the gentiles.

-       He was sold for the price of a slave and handed over to the gentiles to die.

-       He was falsely accused and suffered for crimes not his own.

-       Some of his brothers shared him with gentiles, who did not know how much they needed him.

-       He was dishonored by some gentiles who sought to use him for their own ends.

-       He was honored by others because God was with him.

-       He provided life, hope, and the wisdom of God to prisoners, kings, and those in between.

-       His message brought life to some, but death to others.

-       He foretold a seven-year time of tribulation, and how to survive it.

-       He was made ruler over the gentiles.

-       He took himself a bride from among the gentiles by whom he had Jewish children.

-       His brothers failed to recognize him. They mistook him for a gentile ruler.

-       Because they didn’t recognize their brother, God’s chosen, the sons of Israel had to leave the land of Israel, beg for mercy from gentile governments, be falsely accused, and suffer among the gentiles as their brother had.

-       Judah lead the sons of Israel in pleading for forgiveness when it was time for the Family of Israel to recognize him during a seven-year time of Jacob’s troubles, arranged by God for this purpose.

-       He revealed himself to his brothers and saved both them and the gentiles.

-       He united his own family with the Family of Israel, and settled them all in a good, prosperous land with their revived father, Israel.

Pharaoh gave Joseph a new Egyptian name:

“Zaphenath-Paneah,” which means “one who reveals hidden things.”

Joseph and Jesus is the same age when each began their public ministry:

Genesis 41:46 “Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of the king.”

Luke 3:23 (English Standard Version) ²³Jesus,^(A) when he began his ministry, was about^(B) thirty years of age, being^(C) the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,

The king gave Joseph an Egyptian wife named Senath, an illustration of Messiah’s redemption of the church, His Bride, from the world. “Asenath” means “peril” or “misfortune.”   She would have spent her life in idolatry and mysticism if she had not married Joseph, the man of God, and lived under his direction and influence.  The king gave her to Joseph as a wife.  Her own father was not the one who gave her to Joseph, nor does it say that Joseph picked her out because of her personal traits.

His sons reflect messiahs work in humanity:

“Manasseh,” (Forgetfulness; He that is Forgotten) related to forgetting past sorrows and forgiving past injustices he suffered.

“Ephraim,” (Fruitful)  This illustrates for us the dual aspect of Messiah’s work of salvation in our lives.  The first aspect is forgiveness of our sins, washing away of our old lives of worldliness.

Genesis 41:49 49 Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Genesis 45:7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

The messianic imagery in the history of Joseph is so clear that the rabbis have taught that the Torah speaks of two Messiahs. Messiah Son of Joseph is to be a Warrior-Messiah, suffering for the sins of His People, betrayed by a dear friend, rejected and handed over to the gentiles and killed. He is to be brought back to life by Messiah Son of David, the King to rule the world in shalom from Jerusalem. The rabbis have recognized the two aspects of the One Messiah and mistaken Him for two Messiahs.

As a sign of His tender respect for the godly traditions of His People, God sovereignty arranged that when the Messiah actually came among us to suffer and die, people asked, “Is this not the Son of Joseph?”

What about temptation?

Matthew 18:7-9 (English Standard Version)

⁷“Woe to the world for^(A) temptations to sin!^[a](B) For it is necessary that temptations come,^(C) but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! ^8(D) And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into^(E) the eternal fire. ^9(F) And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the^(G) hell^[b] of fire.

Woe (Greek οὐαί =  Pronounced in English Ouai  is an interjection of grief) unto the world for the ( Greek σκάνδαλον = pronounced in English skandalon means a trap or snare ) triggers or snares that entraps one in sin. It is the normal course of events that the world has triggers or snares which entrap one in sin. But a greater warning or grief goes to the one whom a trigger or snare is set in that person life to cause him or her to sin.

T.S Remember that temptations are not sins but rather triggering devices. One who has these trigger devises in their life will run the high risk of being one day caught in the trap of sin.

I. Messiah expresses grief over the triggers and snares that lead to sin.

a. Grief that temptations to sin are part of the world.

b. Grief that temptation to sin can be part of a believer’s life.

II. Messiah gives a solution for the one who may have a snare or trigger in their life to sin.

Matthew 18:8-9 (English Standard Version) ^8(D) And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into^(E) the eternal fire. ^9(F) And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.

a. He uses hand, foot and eye for a reason.

This is not a literal idea but figurative.

-       The hand represents a person’s actions

Psalm 26:9-10 (English Standard Version) ^9(A) Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, ¹⁰in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of^(B) bribes.

Psalm 24:4 (English Standard Version)^4(A) He who has^(B) clean hands and^(C) a pure heart, who does not^(D) lift up his soul to^(E) what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

Psalm 16:7-8 (English Standard Version) ⁷I bless the LORD who^(A) gives me counsel; in^(B) the night also my^(C) heart instructs me.^{[a] 8(D)} I have^(E) set the LORD always before me; because he is at my^(F) right hand, I shall not be^(G) shaken.

-       The foot represents a person bearing in life.

Proverbs 4:26-27 (English Standard Version) ^26(A) Ponder^[a] the path of your feet; ^(B) then all your ways will be sure ^27(C) Do not swerve to the right or to the left  turn your foot away from evil.

Psalm 26:11 (English Standard Version) ¹¹But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me.

Psalm 119:1 (English Standard Version) ^1[a] Blessed are those whose^(A) way is blameless, who^(B) walk in the law of the LORD!

Psalm 94:17-18 (English Standard Version) ^17(A) If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of^(B) silence.¹⁸When I thought,^(C) “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O LORD,^(D) held me up.

-       The eye represents a person’s desire.

1 John 2:16 (English Standard Version) ¹⁶For all that is in the world—^(A) the desires of the flesh and^(B) the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Psalm 119:15-16 (English Standard Version) ¹⁵I will^(A) meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your^(B) ways. ¹⁶I will^(C) delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Psalm 19:7-9 (English Standard Version) ^7(A) The law of the LORD is perfect,^{[a] (B)} reviving the soul; ^(C) the testimony of the LORD is^(D) sure, ^(E) making wise^(F) the simple; ^8(G) the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is^(H) pure, ^(I) enlightening the eyes; ⁹the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules^[b] of the LORD are^(J) true, and righteous altogether.

2 Corinthians 10:7 (English Standard Version ^7(A) Look at what is before your eyes.^(B) If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let  him remind himself that just as^(C) he is Christ’s,^(D) so also are we.

III. Though it may seem to be important, if that thing causes you to commit sin, cut it off.

“It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the^(G) hell^[b] of fire.”

In other words: It would better that we would do without our most precious vices, goals or desires no matter how important they may seem.  Even if they seem to be necessary and seemingly innocent get rid of them if they will cause us to become trapped in our sin.

a. Nothing in life is worth doing if it causes one to sin

b. No personal goal is worth keeping if doing so will cause one to be trapped in sin.

c. No desire it worth having if it ultimate result is one being trapped in sin.

The Epic Struggle

A Lesson in attaining the blessing.

Genesis 32:22-30 (English Standard Version)

²²The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children,^[a] and crossed the ford of the^(A) Jabbok. ²³He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. ²⁴And Jacob was left alone. And^(B) a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. ²⁵When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.²⁶Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said,^(C) “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”²⁷And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” ²⁸Then he said,^(D) “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,^[b] for^(E) you have striven with God and^(F) with men, and have prevailed.” ²⁹Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said,^(G) “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. ³⁰So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel,^[c] saying, “For^(H) I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”

I. Our struggle in the world

Hebrews 12:3-5 (English Standard Version) ^3(A) Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or^(B)fainthearted. ⁴In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ^(C) “My son,^(D) do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

1. Attempt to make peace with your enemies
2. Do not join yourself to the world

James 4:4 (English Standard Version) ^4(A) You adulterous people!^[a] Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?^(B) Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

1 John 2:16 (English Standard Version) ¹⁶For all that is in the world—^(A) the desires of the flesh and^(B) the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

3. Keep you dwelling at the House of God

Psalm 84:10 (English Standard Version) ¹⁰For a day^(A) in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be^(B) a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

II. The Struggle with our old nature

Ephesians 6:12 (New International Version) ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

1. Even though we obtain our covenant, each one of us must contend for the faith which brings blessing

Jude 1:3 (King James Version) ³Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

2. This struggle is within us as well as life circumstances.

Romans 5:3-6 (English Standard Version) ³More than that, we^(A) rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering^(B) produces endurance, ⁴and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵and^(C)hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love^(D) has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ⁶For^(E) while we were still weak, at the right time^(F) Christ died for the ungodly.

III. Our struggle with God

Hosea 12:2-6 (English Standard Version)

^2(A) The LORD has an indictment against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; he will repay him according to his deeds. ^3(B) In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God ⁴He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. ^(C) He met God^[a] at Bethel, and there God spoke with us— ⁵the LORD, the God of hosts, ^(D) the LORD is his memorial name: ⁶“So you,^(E) by the help of your God, return, ^(F) hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”

1. Nothing in the Kingdom is achieved without deep struggle
2. Reward is for those who contend to know God and be transformed by His power.