Jan.16 - Genesis 46 - 48

This is one of the most emotionally charged sections of Genesis! The reuniting of Joseph with his father after some 20 years makes even a tough guy a little teary-eyed. Its says they cried on each other's shoulder for a long time. I don't blame them!

But, the most remarkable aspect of this whole story about Joseph is the forgiveness he shows towards his brothers! While discussing his brother's act of betrayal in selling him off to Ishmaelite traders within the palace, he shifts the responsibility from their shoulders to God's. He say's "Don't be angry for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives."

Is there someone who's hurt you or wronged you in some way that you need to forgive? Perhaps God is testing you like he did Joseph. Think how horrible Joseph had it! He could have really enacted vengeance on his brothers, but he took a few steps back and realized how God was involved in every tough and challenging step. God was shaping him to be a world leader!

The exciting thing is...God is shaping you too! Each time we fail to "mature" in our walk with God and with other people, God's got to keep working on us until we pass the test.

Joseph is the most complete type of Christ in all the Bible!! Note the amazing similiarities between the two:
1) Both were beloved by their fathers. (37:3 ; Matt.3:17)
2) Both regarded themselves as shepherds. (37:2 ; John 10:11-14)
3) Both were sent to their brothers by their father. (37:13-14 ; Luke 20:13)
4) Both were hated by their brothers without cause. (37:4,5,8 ; John 1:11, 7:5, 15:25)
5) Both were plotted against by their brother. (37:20 ; John 11:53)
6) Both were severly tempted. (39:7 ; Matthew 4:1)
7) Both were taken to Egypt. (37:26 ; Matthew 2:14-15)
8) Both were stripped of their robes. (37:23 ; John 19:23-24)
9) Both were sold for the price of a slave. (37:28 ; Matt.26:15)
10) Both were bound. (39:20 ; Matt.27:2)
11) Both were falsely accused. (39:16-18 ; Matt.26:59-60)
12) Both experienced God's favor through everything. (39:2,21,23 ; John 16:32)
13) Both placed with two prisoners - one who was lost, the other saved. (40:2-3 ; Luke 23:32)
14) Both were age 30 when ministry began. (41:46 ; Luke 3:23)
15) Both took Gentile brides. (41:45 ; Ephesians 3:1-12)
16) Both offered forgiveness to their brothers. (45:1-15 ; Rev.1:7)
17) Both became savior's to the world. (41:57 ; Isa.2:2-3, 49:6)

Jacob blesses Pharaoh! In fact, he blessed him twice! Although Egypt was a polytheistic nation (worshipper of many gods), Pharaoh had a lot of respect for Joseph's God. Joseph proved that his God was the one TRUE God, because of what he foretold about the 7 years of abundance and the 7 years of famine and how it came true! I'm sure Joseph was a great witness to Pharaoh. The very fact that Jacob would have the opportunity to bless the most blessed person on earth (in that Pharaoh eventually came to own all livestock, land, and people), indicates Pharaoh had some respect for the God of Joseph and Jacob.

When people see you, do they develop a respect for YOUR GOD? Are you a good witness?

Due to illness, I'll cut this one short. But, consider the challenges of this phenominal story! May we all become as wise and forgiving as Joseph!