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The Life of Joseph (12)

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The Life of Joseph (12)

7 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

"And Judah said unto Israël his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be suretyfor him; of my hand shalt thou require him: ifl bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blamefor ever: For except we had lingered surely now we had returned this second time" (Genesis 43:8-10).

Hunger is a sharp sword. Slowly but surely it came creeping into Jacob's tent. Every day he must have looked for a change in the weather, but each morning the sun came up and the rain for which they longed did not come. Week after week and month after month the great drought continued, and the famine deepened in the land. God had a master plan and was working out His plan, although they did not understand it in father Jacob's tent. A large nation would come forth from the children of Israël, but they first must be brought into the oven of afiliction. The nation of Israël must be brought out of the land of Egypt and arrivé in the promised land according to the promise that Jesus Christ must come forth out of the loins of that nation. Jacob and his sons could not see that at this time; they could only feel the great famine which appeared to have no end in sight.

There had not been a lot of happiness in Jacob's tent since the nine brothers came back from the land of Egypt. It is true that they came back with their sacks full and had provision upon the way, but the man had spoken roughly unto them and put Simeon in prison. He also had demanded that their youngest brother come back with them when they needed more food. Every day they ate from the diminishing supply of corn from Joseph, although they did not know that it came from him. We can picture father Jacob sitting there with a frightened Benjamin behind him. Benjamin did not understand the reason for all of this. Standing in front of his father were his nine brothers, struggling with accusing consciences. In the hearts of these brothers the Lord had opened their consciences to their sin whch they had committed so many years before when they said, "Sell him, sell him." The Lord was bringing home to their hearts a knowledge of sin and guilt.

They all realized that without Benjamins going to Egypt, they would have to die. Therefore it was not a pleasant time in Jacob's tent. Joseph's somber disappearance also lay over the family. The nine brothers had heard the bitter words of their old father, saying, "Me have ye bereaved of my children." They probably did not talk very much during this time. How terrible it is in a family when it is so silent because there are things that cannot be talked about. How sad when there is not openness but distrust among the parents and children.

Father Jacob was heavy with grief as he thought about sending Benjamin to Egypt. He seemed to be sinking deeper and deeper; his unbelief and strife lay as a heavy cloud upon him. He could not bring himself out of it. If Benjamin did not go with the brothers, then they would have to die of hunger.

Oh, my friends, then something changed in this history. A pivotal time had come in the life of Jacob and his sons when Judah stepped forward and spoke unto his father. Judah said unto Israël his father, "Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live and not die. I will be surety for him. If I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever." It was as if Judah was telling his father that he would give his life for Benjamin because he had no right to live. He would teil the ruler in Egypt that he should be put to death and that Benjamin should be allowed to go home to his father who was waiting for him. He was guilty and feit that it was his sin that caused Joseph to be sold into Egypt. Judah here is a lovely type of Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus Christ also said, "My life for them." There Christ became guilty and had no right to live anymore. It was not because of His own sin; that is where He differs from Judah. No, He took the sins and burdens of His people, saying, "Father, My life for them, so they may go back unto the Father who is waiting for them." And that is so true, the heavenly Father still waits to have all home for whom Christ died. They must be brought from the ends of the earth so that they may be one people.

What a wonderful change took place during this history when father Jacob let Benjamin go with the brothers to Egypt. He was able to give him over into the Lord's hand. He was able to surrender him unto the Lord and send him to Egypt. " I f it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land.. .a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds." Maybe you are thinking, "How could the famine be so intense if there were still some things in the house?" Oh, my friends, they needed bread; they could not live by eating only nuts and almonds. They needed the bread that only Joseph could supply. There was a hunger for the bread which would maintain their lives. So it is with the children of God. There can be blessings in their lives, but they still need that Living Bread, the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a difference there was in Jacob's life when he surrendered all to the Lord, saying, "And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." For Jacob the clouds of darkness departed, and he looked unto God Almighty, who had cared for him throughout his whole life. He gave it over unto the Lord, who does no wrong, saying, " I f I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." It brought about a wonderful change in his life. At one moment he sat there in despair and bitterness, and the next moment the sun was shining; he was able to look above it all and point unto the Lord. The Lord wiped away the darkness that had covered his soul for a long time. The famine still raged, all his children had to leave and go to Egypt, but a bowing under the dealings of the Lord had come back into his heart. He had received life back into his heart.

It was like the time an old man said unto me after a Sunday night sermon, "The Lord came back this afternoon for my soul. I thought it would never happen anymore, but He has come back." That is what happens when the dear Spirit of God breaks through. Asaph says in Psalm 73, "Thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."

"God Almighty give you mercy." It was as if father Jacob told his boys that they would not travel alone. He would pray for them all the way on their journey to and from Egypt, and the Lord would care for them.

They traveled unto Joseph. Their hunger and emptiness drove them there. It was in God's plan that Joseph would reveal himself unto them. He would take care of them by feeding and nourishing them, but this they did not know yet. As they were traveling, they still had open consciences, but they had seen the change that had come over their father so that he was willing to send Benjamin with them.

How are you traveling? Where are you going? These brothers did not know everything yet, but they were on their way to Joseph. Where are you going? Soon you will come to the end of your journey, the end of your life. Without something of Christ in your heart you cannot stand before that Holy Judge, because He will cast you away. Through Christ is the only way to be saved. It begins with a conscience that is opened and an awareness of sin and a bowing before God. Beg the Lord today to make a true beginning in your life before it is too late.

— Rev. J. den Hoed
— to be continued -—

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Bekijk de hele uitgave van woensdag 1 september 2004

The Banner of Truth | 28 Pagina's

The Life of Joseph (12)

Bekijk de hele uitgave van woensdag 1 september 2004

The Banner of Truth | 28 Pagina's