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Have you ever had to keep a secret?

Secrets are when someone tells you news that is exciting or enthralling but asks you not to tell anyone else. So, either you have information that should never be known by anyone, or you have knowledge prior to others hearing that will eventually be shared later, which then you can say, “I knew all along!”

People want information to stay secret for a variety of reasons:

• Protect judgment, self or others.
• Protect timing

And while there are dangers for not keeping a secret, there are also risks for keeping a secret.

• Secrets are stressful.
• Some secrets need to be told to protect others from harm.

EXAMINE  Genesis 45-47           Resiliency & Reconciliation

REVIEW: Genesis 44

• Joseph was 1 of 12 brothers, but they despised him, sold him and sent him to slave-traders.
• Joseph gets promoted as a chief servant in Potiphar’s house.
• But Joseph is falsely accused of exploitation and sentenced to prison.
• Joseph becomes respected by prisoners and guards alike. He aids one prisoner to be liberated, and they were supposed to help the same for him. Yet, Joseph is forgotten by the cupbearer.
• After over 1-year, Joseph is released from prison to help the Pharaoh interpret dreams about how to survive famine by storing food during years of abundance.
• In all, Joseph would spend over 20-years in twists and turns of God’s providence to reach his purpose.
  • If discovering your purpose is easy, then you haven’t discerned God’s will for your life. God’s destiny for your life is surrender of self and desperate dependence upon God.
    • Mk 8:35-36 “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a person to gain the whole world and forfeit their soul?”
    • Ac 20:23-24 “the Holy Spirit testifies to me that afflictions await. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify of the gospel of the grace of God.” 
• As Joseph reaches peak position in Egypt, his long-lost family is suffering in famine. They travel over 500 miles to reach Egypt to purchase food. Instead, they receive generous portions for free, because Joseph recognizes them – though they don’t recognize him.
• Joseph places his brothers through a series of tests: Will they love their brother Simeon, whom Joseph imprisons, to return to retrieve him? After they do, will they love their brother Benjamin who is set up for punishment to defend him? And indeed, they would.
• Joseph is moved by his brothers’ embrace of solidarity to defend their brother, and Judah offer himself as a substitute for Benjamin’s death.

Genesis 45 ¹ Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!”

Joseph broke, like a tree swaying in the wind but the final root is severed to tumble to ground.

So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

Joseph makes himself known. And the ugly crying commences with intense sobbing and shouts for all Pharaoh’s servants to hear – so much, that they report the news to Pharaoh (45:16).

³ Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?”

Again, it’s been over 20-years since Joseph saw his father. He has no idea if dad is dead, sick, or alive and well.

But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified[1] at his presence. 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!

The brothers know they have sinned against Joseph, so their guilt and shame created fear and separation. Yet, Joseph offers reconciliation by inviting them near – the term implies more than spatial proximity, but  intimacy![2] Prince Joseph is a picture of gracious compassion with God as his source.

⁵ 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.

Joseph understands his life from God’s vantage point. This is the doctrine of providence. Providence works in three ways:

• Concurrently:
  Illus: The Chesapeake Bay is ~200-miles long. More than 150 major rivers and streams flow into the bay. Near Norfolk, VA the bay water flows concurrently with the Atlantic Ocean.
  Likewise, humans are not puppets. God’s work flows concurrently with human actions, so that divine sovereignty and human responsibility can be affirmed. “God works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph 1:11)
• Redemptively: God cooperates through, and sometimes despite human actions. There’s an element of mystery that we cannot understand but still appreciate the promise that “God works all things together for good for those called according to God’s purpose” (Ro 8:28). We believe God is not the author of evil, but He permits sinful happenings and suffering to still accomplish His wise purpose and produce constructive results. Just look at the cross of Jesus to understand how God redeems suffering and evil.
• Retrospectively: It is seldom that we can evaluate our circumstances and precisely state God’s intention. Yet, in weeks, months, years, or sometimes not until eternity, we are able to look back and see God weaving together a messy tapestry into a masterpiece. “from beginning to end to things not yet done, ‘[the Lord’s] counsel shall stand; [He] will accomplish all His purposes” (Isa 46:10).

⁶ For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 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.

⁸ “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. ⁹ Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay.

Joseph remembers his father’s procrastination, as well as his likely proclivity to not believe his sons.

¹⁰ You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me — you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. ¹¹ I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’ ¹² “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. ¹³ Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”

Joseph warns the brothers that if they, and their father hesitate or do not return, then they will be devastated.

This is true of people today. If you do not heed God’s warnings and you hesitate to trust in the gospel, you will not know when earthly misfortune or eternal misery will come. Do not delay the Master’s invitation for refuge.

¹⁴ Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping. ¹⁵ And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

This is so wholesome. Brothers showing affection with tears, hugs, conversation, laughter, falafels, kebabs, cakes and pastries, and fine wine…

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity.” Ps 133:1

“brothers stick together in all kinds of trouble” Pr 17:17 (The Message)

¹⁶ When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased.

This could have been trouble for Joseph and his Hebrew brothers. Yet, Joseph’s servant-character and skilled competency established rapport with Pharaoh to respond with blessing.

Some people call this “karma” – if you put out good vibes, then blessings will return to you. But the Bible teaches something better: grace. Even though the brothers don’t deserve blessing, they receive it because God is gracious.

Ps 25:10 “All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness for those who [trust] his covenant”

Ps 31:19 “Oh how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you.”

Ps 33:18-19 “Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.”

Ps 34:5 “Those who look to the LORD are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

Ps 84:11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield, the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Ps 103:2-4 “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy”

¹⁷ Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, ¹⁸ and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’ ¹⁹ “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. ²⁰ Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’”

Like Joseph, the Pharaoh is worried that the family may stay put because they cannot bring all their possessions with them, so he says once again, “the best of all of Egypt is yours.”^[3]

²¹ So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey. ²² To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes. ²³ And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey. ²⁴ Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”

Joseph knows the brothers will be tempted to rehearse their conflicts, deceit, and debacles over the years. He admonishes them not to dwell on past failures but future grace.  

This is a good reminder for our focus. If we are not in Christ and do not have the Holy Spirit, then we are tempted to dwell on past failures, and rehearse our regret with anxiety and depression. But in Christ, we have fresh grace and new morning mercies. So, we’re able to forget what is behind and strain forward and press onward toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Php 4:13-14).

If we are not in Christ and do not have the Holy Spirit, then we are tempted to dwell on past failures, and rehearse our regret with anxiety and depression. But in Christ, we have fresh grace and new morning mercies.

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²⁵ So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. ²⁶ They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned [lit. “his heart stopped”]^[4]; he did not believe them. ²⁷ But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. ²⁸ And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

GENESIS 46 ¹ So Israel set out with all that was his, and when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. ² And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. ³ “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ⁴ I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”^[5]

Jacob was hesitant to leave Canaan, the land promised to him and his offspring. Yet, the Lord says, “I will go with you to Egypt, and bring you back again.” So, Jacob is comforted by the LORD’s reassurance.

The rest of Gen46 is a list of 70 names of those who traveled with or were part of the family.

²⁸ Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, ²⁹ Joseph had his chariot made ready and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.

You know these men are emotionally flustered bc they’re asking for directions (grin). But seriously, NT readers: What does this remind you? Yes, Luke 15 parable of prodigal son but in reverse with the son waiting on then running to embrace the long-lost father.

Jacob, Joseph, Benjamin, Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Dan, and Naphtali are all reunited after about 25-years.

APPLY/TAKEAWAY

Forgiveness is required for healing, but reconciliation is a process of rebuilding trust.

It seems that Joseph forgave his brothers early in life. The reason we believe he did so was because his life is not callous or contrary. He’s healed because we see him feeling – he cries, he cares, he communicates, and he’s constructively solving problems of his own and those of others.  

And when Joseph meets his brothers, he doesn’t immediately go off in rage and revenge. Joseph was entitled to retribution, but instead he created a strategy for reconciliation over two years. Since he’s already forgiven them, now he tests them to see if they’re trustworthy.

These brothers were evil. And if Joseph merely just reconciled without testing and rebuilding trust, then that would be foolish. It would be irresponsible as a steward of Egypt, but it would also be reckless for his own heart.

Some of you have either been a victim of, or an unfortunate partnership with foolish and evil people.[6] And they have deeply wounded and grieved you. Unfortunately, you cannot jump in a time machine, but you can draw a line in the sand to establish boundaries going forward.

• Prov 4:23 “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
• Jn 2:24 “Jesus did not entrust himself to them, because he knew what is in [certain] people”

*If you’re holding on to unforgiveness, you will never be happy or healed.[7] You’ll avoid communication; you’ll step out of rooms where people need you to be present; and you’ll multiply problems instead of solving them. You won’t be free, and spiritually, Jesus says your unforgiveness is a sin that is blaspheming the grace of God (Mt 5:14-15).

*Forgive but don’t be foolish. Pray for wisdom how to relate. Remember, you’re a thermostat, not a thermometer. IOW, establish boundaries that they are not influencing you but you are transforming them with God’s grace and wisdom.

Mindset is monumental.

Joseph’s perspective is remarkable. He tells the brothers “you sold me… but God sent me here.” Joseph experienced significant suffering, multiple downs and ups, and it’s likely when he experienced blessings that he was looking over his shoulder waiting for the hurdles, hardships, and defeat to arrive. But Joseph never grew disillusioned because his eyes were fixed on the Lord.

Satan can wall us in, but he can’t roof us over. We need to keep looking up to remind ourselves that the tomb is empty, and the throne is occupied. Jesus invites us to Spirit-filled living with a never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always, and forever love. God is with you and working all things together for good.

Satan can wall us in, but he can’t roof us over. We need to keep looking up to remind ourselves that the tomb is empty, and the throne is occupied.

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A speaker once shared that if each letter of the alphabet corresponded to a successive number 1-26, then

• LUCK = 47%
• MONEY = 72%
• LEADERSHIP = 89%
• KNOWLEDGE = 96%
• HARDWORK = 98%
• MINDSET = 84%
  *but* ATTITUDE = 100%

The point is that our attitude determines our actions. If our attitude is informed by our faith, then it’s going to make all the difference in the way we live. You’re not controlled by your circumstances or defined by disappointments. So, “set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:2-4)
> Renew your mind in God’s word.

Hope does arrive.

It took Joseph over 20-years to reach his destiny. I’m sure some weeks and seasons Joseph had doubts. I’m sure sometimes those doubts turned into despairing tears and shouts to the air. But each day was new for Joseph to renew his mind, refocus his heart, and ready himself for God to work. And finally, God rescued Joseph from the pit, released him from the prison, and raised him to the highest seat. And people came from many nations to see Joseph and proclaimed “You have saved us, we will serve the Lord” (cf Gen 47:25).

Today, hope has arrived. Jesus wants to save you and spend forever with you. Place your trust in Jesus Christ.

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[1] “paralyzing fear sometimes felt by those involved in war.” Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 16–50, vol. 2, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1994), 427.

[2] https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5066.htm. Also see Charles Swindoll, Joseph, p.141.

^[3] Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 16–50, vol. 2, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1994), 429.

^[4] Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 16–50, vol. 2, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1994), 430.

^[5] K. A. Mathews, Genesis 11:27–50:26, vol. 1B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2005), 825.

[6] For some thoughts about rebuilding trust see Henry Cloud’s book, Trust: Knowing When To Give It, When To Withhold It, How to Earn It, And How To Fix It When It Gets Broken. Also see a podcast about the book with notes here: https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2023/09/13/recovering-trust/

[7] For more on this, consider a previous message: https://growinggodlygenerations.com/2024/03/17/jesus-forgives-matthew-16-18/