Living in the world

• 1^st – I will be with you… vs. 1-4
  • 1^st – Jacob knew Joseph was in Egypt – and he wanted to go and see him… vs. 1
    • But Israel (governed by God) took a journey to Beersheba first…
    • Note the change in name to Israel – the Bible goes back and forth…
    • After the change in name – Genesis 32 – Jacob 72x / Israel 41x!
    • God had told Isaac – when there was a famine in the Land – not to go to Egypt…
      • Genesis 26:2 – “Then the LORD appeared to [Isaac] and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you…”
      • Therefore Israel / Jacob was wary – during his famine – to go to Egypt…
      • Instead he went first to where Isaac had been – Beersheba (well of the oath) …
      • It was there Abimelech had said – “We have certainly seen that the LORD is with you.”
      • Israel wanted to see if God was indeed with him on this journey to Egypt!
      • We will be faced with innumerable decisions as we go through this life…
      • Even if we think we know what to do / where to go in life – be careful…
      • It is wisdom to always check first with the Lord – ask him which way to go!
      • Proverbs 21:2 – “People may think they are doing what is right, but the LORD examines the heart.”
  • 2^nd – Do not fear… vs. 2-4
    • God met with Israel there in a dream (vision at night) and told him to go to Egypt…
      • God called out to Israel – using his former name – Jacob / Jacob!
      • Because although Jacob was coming to Beersheba to seek the Lord – he was AFRAID…
      • We FEAR what we do not KNOW – and we usually assume the worst!
      • And if we are depending on ourselves – we have good reason to be AFRAID!
      • Yet Jesus does KNOW – nothing is a surprise to Him – He sees it all – Hebrews 4:13
      • IF we are looking to Jesus – we therefore have NOTHING to FEAR…
      • FEAR is the opposite of trust– we are AFRAID because we are not looking to God!
      • II Timothy 1:7 – “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and sound mind.”
    • Going down to Egypt was a very dangerous prospect…
      • Abraham had gone there – and compromised his walk – lied about Sarah…
      • It was a pagan land – with many false gods – full of the temptations of the world…
      • The concern was the children of Israel would go there – and forget about God!
    • Yet God told Jacob NOT to FEAR…
      • Do NOT FEAR [אַל־תִּירָא] – jussive / imperfect – most ephaptic negative in Hebrew…
      • Jussive – expresses desire – sometimes even in the form of a command…
      • Jacob was to ABSOLUTELY not FEAR to go down to Egypt – because:
      • For I (the Lord) – EVEN I will make you a GREAT nation there…
      • For I (the Lord) – EVEN I will be will GO DOWN with you to Egypt…
      • For I (the Lord) – EVEN I will BRING (hiphil) you UP AGAIN
    • But because God was with Israel – they would be able to stand – not only stand…
      • God would make them a great nation – and one day He would bring them back to the Land!
      • Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
      • When we moved over to the Philippines – there were a lot of uncertainties…
      • Home / relationships / ministry / language – all of which looked intimidating…
      • But because we knew God said go – there was nothing to be afraid of!
      • When we know God is for us – directing us – then we have NOTHING to fear!

• 2^nd – One Big family… vs. 5-27
  • 1^st – Therefore Jacob arose (sequential / imperfect) … vs. 5-8
    • He took everything (cattle / possessions) – and everyone – with him to Egypt…
      • This was not a temporary resettlement – this would be permeant for Jacob and his sons…
      • They would all spend the rest of their lives in Egypt…
      • It would be 400 years before God would bring the nation back to Canaan again…
      • It would have been easy for them to forget Egypt was NOT their home!
    • Like Israel – we are living in a foreign land…
      • This is NOT our home – we are stranger and foreigners here…
      • And one day – God will BRING (hiphil) us UP AGAIN to our home in heaven!
      • But it is easy get caught up in the business of life – and forget we are NOT home yet… 
      • It is easy to lose patience and forget that ANY day we could hear the trumpet sound…
      • ANY day we could get the call to COME UP – get to go HOME – get to see Jesus…
      • We need to keep a light touch here on earth – because we are called to live in heaven!
      • Hebrews 11:13-16 – “[We are] strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a home… that is, a heavenly country.”
  • 2^nd – The sons of Jacob… vs. 9-25
    • These are the names of the Children of Israel – Jacob and his sons…
    • The sons of Leah…
      • Reuben – with his 4 sons / Simeon – with his 6 sons (Saul – born to a Canaanite woman) …
      • Levi – with his 3 sons – Gershon / Kohath / Merari – the Levitical tribes…
      • Judah – with his 3 sons (two died – two were twins from Tamar) – and two grandsons…
      • Only great grandchildren from Leah mentioned – in the line of Christ – Matthew 1:3
      • Issachar – with his 4 sons / Zebulun – with 3 sons…
      • 6 sons – 25 grandsons – 2 great grandchildren – for a total of 33!
      • It is possible that Dinah is included in the total (since Er and Onan would be excluded) …
      • But that would make the total only 32 – so perhaps there was at least one more daughter…
      • As we are told Jacob had BOTH sons and DAUGHTERS with Leah!
    • The sons of Zilpah (the maid of Leah) …
      • Gad – with his 7 sons / Asher – with his 4 sons – 1 daughter – and 2 great grandsons…
      • 2 sons – 11 grandsons – 1 granddaughter – 2 great grandchildren – for a total of 16!
    • The sons of Jacob and Rachel…
      • Joseph – who had 2 sons in Egypt / Benjamin – with his 10 sons
      • You get the impression Benjamin was a kid at this point – but he had 10 sons!
      • 2 sons – 12 grandsons – for a total of 14!
    • The sons of Jacob and Bilhah (the maid of Rachel) …
      • Dan – who had 1 son / Naphtali – with his 4 sons
      • 2 sons – 5 grandsons – for a total of 7!
  • 3^rd – In all – 70 sons / grandsons / daughters were born to Jacob… vs. 26-27
    • There are some issues with this number – first it is not inclusive of EVERYONE who came…
      • The number does NOT include – Jacob / his wives / wives of his sons / or all daughters…
      • The count was just those who came FROM the body of Jacob!
      • We are also told 66 made the journey from Canaan to Egypt (Joseph – two sons in Egypt)
      • But that would mean there were 67 sons / grandsons / daughters who made the journey…
      • Also Steven tells us 75 people made the journey – Acts 7:14 (quoting from LXX)
      • So what is the point – obviously not the EXACT count – but that there were a LOT!
      • God had blessed Jacob with an exceedingly large family!
      • Psalm 127:3-5 – “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward… Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed.”
      • Children are a blessing – the more children – the greater the blessing!
      • Not only in the joy they bring us when they are young – cute and cuddly…
      • But as they grow – they are there to help take care of us – provide for our needs!
    • Because the Lord was with them – God blessed them exceedingly!
      • 400 years later – God brought Israel back out of Egypt…
      • Exodus 12:36 – tells us there were 600k men – not including women and children…
      • That suggests there were between 2.5 – 3 million Jews who returned to Israel!
      • One man surrendered to the Lord – Israel – became a whole nation!
      • I once knew man who argued he wanted to do more for God than just be a father…  
      • The lord answered him by saying – all I am is a Father!
      • And look at Jacob – from one Father – came a whole nation that feared God (sometimes)!
      • We might look at what we are doing in life – and think it does not matter much…
      • How can this – we might argue – have an impact on the Kingdom of God…
      • But God uses the small and simple things – like being a Dad – to change the world…
      • What is important is God is WITH US – because that is when He does the work!

• 3^rd – In the world – but not of the world… vs. 28-34
  • 1^st – The Reunion… vs. 28-30
    • Judah went ahead to show the rest the way to Goshen (drawing near) …
      • The same man who had led his brothers to sell Joseph into slavery – Genesis 37:26
      • The same man who had an affair with his daughter in law – Genesis 38:18
      • Became the one who offered to take the place of Benjamin in prison – Genesis 44:33
      • And now trusted by Israel – firmly in a place of leadership withing his family!
      • When God gets a hold of our lives – we are NOT the person we used to be…
      • The problem with those who knew us – remember our mistakes / flaws / and sins…
      • When we tell them about Jesus– they are quick to remind us of them all!
      • What they miss is that all that we were is gone – Psalms 103:12
      • We are no longer defined by our past/mistakes – instead by Jesus who is in us!
      • II Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
    • Joseph went immediately to see his father…
      • He presented himself to Israel – and fell on his neck and wept a long time…
      • Joseph was 17 when he was sold into slavery – Genesis 37:2
      • Joseph was 30 when he stood before Pharoah – 13 years later – Genesis 41:46
      • There had been 7 years of PLENTY – and 2 years of FAMINE – Genesis 45:11
      • They had not seen each other in over 22 YEARS – it was a sweet reunion…
      • With joy Israel said – Now let me die – I have seen your face – you are still alive!
  • 2^nd – Shepherds…
    • Joseph gave instruction to his brothers on how to speak to Pharaoh…
      • When Pharaoh asked their occupation – they were to answer SHEPHERDS…
      • Because the Egyptians despised / abomination – looked down on SHEPHERDS…
      • They would not want the Israelites to live with them – but instead in Goshen!
    • The reason – keep Israel separate from the influence of the world…
      • The Egyptians were a pagan people – worshiping MANY false gods…
      • Given the opportunity they would influence and lead astray the children of Israel!
      • We are constantly bombarded by the influence of the world…
      • Friends – family – neighbors – adds – try to get us to follow the worlds example!
      • II Corinthians 6:17 – “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.”
      • We are called to live in this world – but we are not to be a part of this world…
      • We are called to be a light – example – to those who are around us!
      • Matthew 5:14 – “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”
      • If we look and act just like the world around us – if we conform to the world…
      • Then how can we be a light or example to the world of Jesus Christ…
      • Therefore live in the world – but do not be a part of the world – live for Jesus!

• 4^th – A light to the world… vs. 1-12
  • 1^st – Joseph took five of his brothers to go and see Pharaoh… vs. 1-7
    • As they had been instructed – they said they were SHEPHERDS…
      • Pharaoh greeted them warmly – told them the best of the land was before them…
      • But then he sent them to live in the land of Goshen – where the shepherds were…
      • He added if any of the brothers were competent – they could watch over his flocks!
    • We are the fragrance of Christ…
      • II Corinthians 2:15 – “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”
      • To those who are being saved – we are the fragrance of life…
      • To those who are perishing – we are the fragrance of death…
      • We smell – whether we know it or not – we have an odor (not that we need a bath) …
      • It is the fragrance of Jesus – to those who are saved – it is a wonderful smell…
      • Every notice when you walk into a room with believers in Jesus…
      • Even if you have never met them before – it feels like a family reunion…
      • There is immediate sweet fellowship through our common faith in Jesus!
      • They see the cross of Jesus in your life – and the hope of new life / forgiveness!
        
    • To those who are not saved – it is the stench of death – repulsive / offensive…
      • In contrast when you enter a room full of people who do not know Jesus…
      • They give you a look like as though you smell like a rotting dead animal – you stink!
      • They also see the cross of Jesus – but see only death – because they do not believe!
  • 2^nd – Jacob intensely blessed (piel) Pharaoh… vs. 8-10
    • Pharaoh asked Jacob his age – 130 short HARD years – less than the PILGRIMAGE his fathers…
      • PILGRIMAGE – to be a stranger – someone who is just passing through!
      • Abraham lived to be 175 – Isaac lived to be 180 – Jacob lived to be 147 – Genesis 47:28
    • Jacob then he intensely blessed (piel) Pharaoh again…
      • Notice it was not Pharaoh who blessed Jacob – Jacob was greater than Pharaoh!
      • Hebrews 7:7 – “Without question, the person who has the power to bless is always greater than the person who is blessed.”
      • I went to Kazakhstan on a missions trip when I was in college…
      • All of the students we were paired up with knew nothing about Jesus…
      • But they told us one day – you are like a light in a dark place / we want what you have!
      • Though the world may not like us – as we stand for Jesus – they do respect us…
      • As they look at our lives – they see what they are missing – the answer to life!
      • Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
  • 3^rd – The land of Rameses… vs. 11-12
    • Joseph placed (hiphil) his father and brother – gave them the best of the land…
    • The land of Rameses – 5x in OT – perhaps a reference to a Jewish city in Goshen…
    • It was the place where the Pharaoh had commanded (piel) they live…
    • And Joseph provided for them – giving them bread according to the number of their family!

• 5^th – Free from the world… vs. 13-26
  • 1^st – The famine was VERY severe… vs. 13-15
    • There was no bread [וְלֶחֶם אֵין] – absolutely NOTHING to eat…
    • The people of Egypt – and Canaan – (the world) were at the point of death / starvation…
    • They spent (piel) all their money – not a peso left in Egypt and Canaan – Pharaoh had it all…
    • They said to Joseph – GIVE us bread – why should we die – money had FAILED!
    • The world looks to money to save them – but in the end – money always fails!
    • Psalms 49:6 – “[Men who] trust in their wealth and boast of great riches… cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.”
  • 2^nd – Give (imperative) all your livestock – in exchange for food… vs. 16-17
    • So they gave all their livestock to Pharaoh – and they had food for another YEAR…
    • But when the food ran out – they came back to Joseph – we have no money OR livestock!
    • The world looks to possessions to save them – but in the end – they also cannot save us!
    • Matthew 6:26 – “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
  • 3^rd – Joseph took all the land – and the people worked for Pharaoh… vs. 18-26
    • The people had no more money – they had sold all their possessions…
      • And there was still 3 more years of FAMINE to go – they were out of options…
      • They offered to give up their land – sell themselves – and to become slaves to the Pharaoh!
      • All the people were moved into the cities – where there was still food…
      • LXX reads that they were made into SLAVES – they sold themselves to the world!
    • They people would still work the land after the famine – but it all belonged to Pharaoh!
      • 80% of what they grew would be theirs – for seeds – and for feeding their families…
      • But from then on – all the people had to pay 20% of all their crops to Pharaoh!
      • In truth those who are in the world – are in bondage (literally slaves) to the world…
      • If you ever wondered why those in the world do the things they do…
      • They do not follow the world because the want to – the are forced to – they are slaves!
      • Romans 6:16 – “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”
  • 4^th – But not the children of Israel… vs. 12
    • Joseph gave to Israel – and all his children – the bread they needed… 
    • They did not have to give up their money – cattle – land – or their FREEDOM!
    • Because they were separate from the world – they were FREE to follow God!
    • God promises to take care of every need we have – as we seek Him – Luke 12:31
    • It is when we live for the Lord – we find we are truly free…
    • We are free from the cares of this world – the standards of this world
    • We are free to follow God – we are free to go to heaven – we are truly free!

John 8:36 – “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”