Discuss Genesis 45 Page 2

WOW – What a Story of forgiveness! If we could only understand that our Heavenly Father has everything in the palm of his hand. He is the Mighty God. He has the master plan and a purpose for our lives. We are special to him. Please don’t hold malice against anyone and miss what our Father has for you.

I think that Jeremiah 10:23 is an important verse that reveals the truth that the freewill of man is not a bible based teaching. This verse, along with many others proves that God's sovereign will alone is free and that man's will is subservient to His will. We are responsible to God not because we are free, but because God has decreed to hold us responsible for the actions which He has so decreed that we would perform from all eternity. Proverbs 20:24: “Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?” (KJV). Proverbs 16:1, “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD” (KJV). Psalms 37:23, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD; and He delights in his way” (NAS). Proverbs 16:9 9, “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps” (NAS) Isaiah 46:10, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (KJV). Dan 4:35, "And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and (among) the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, 'What hast Thou done?'” (NAS). Rom 9:19 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?” (KJV). Genesis 45:7-8, “(7) And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (8) So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt” (KJV). Acts 4:27-28 “(27) For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, (28) For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done” (KJV).

Joseph knew that God preserved him for a purpose. No wonder he told his brothers in Genesis 45:5, Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me to preserve life. You can imagine what could have happen if Joseph was not sold into slavery in Egypt. There he was able to realize his dreams. That difficult situation in our lives is to take us to our expected end if we don't quit or look for a short cut different from God's agenda for us. There is a purpose in God's heart in preserving us in that great challenge we are facing. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28.

Joseph does not blame his brothers for the evil things that happened to him, rather he said God sent him ahead of them to preserve life. Joseph completely forgives his brothers, and tells them to go and get his father. Joseph weeps with his brothers, and kisses each one of them, to show his love for all of them. In order to be children of God we must love one another, and forgive each other as God has commanded. We are to forgive 70 x 7 as Jesus told Peter. Which is to say completely forgive from the heart, just as Joseph forgave his brothers. We must always look to see the hand of God in everything that comes our way. God causes both good, and bad things to work together for our ultimate good to those who love him, and are called according to his purpose. Never become bitter at people God uses, but rather praise God for allowing people to be used for his glory. That is why Jesus said on the cross father forgive them, for they know not what they do. Jesus knows all things, and he said I came down from heaven to do all those things that please my father. We praise God, and give him the glory for what he is doing in our lives.

Notice the language barrier here. Joseph had to interperate and translate what pharoh was saying. This demonstrates how even though the languages were close, they were different. Think like someone speaking french to a portugese person.

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

We will always in this life run into situations that will cause us disconfort. But remember GOD is at work in all things. We learn as children and therefore we are chastised as such. We also are rewarded just as equally.

Joseph had the FULL ARMOUR OF THE LORD on, during this entire period. We need to learn from the examples that are in GOD'S WORD.

PUT on the FULL ARMOUR of THE LORD and walk by FAITH not by sight.

Distractions will be here - But JUST KNOW GOD is in charge.