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Genesis 41b:

Reading #148  The salvation of the LORD

Now we can see what God’s real plan is for the world!  He does not stand toward the sinner in any way as a punisher or destroyer, but only as a Restorer.

I repeat: God does not stand toward the sinner as the executioner of the sentence against transgression.  Sin brings its own penalty and He does nothing to help it.  Romans 6:23.   On the contrary, He does the opposite He fights it.  “Why will you die?” He asks, because He is the God of life, the God of the living.  Mark 12:27.  It is Satan who has the power of sickness and death.  Hebrews 2:14. 

But God must leave the rejecters of His mercy to themselves, to reap that which they have sown if that is their desire.  Galatians 6:7. Every ray of light rejected, every warning despised or unheeded, every passion indulged, every transgression of the law of God, is a seed sown, which yields its unfailing harvest.  The Spirit of God, persistently resisted, must at last be withdrawn from the sinner at his/her request (I want my own way), and then there is left no power to control the evil passions of the flesh, and no protection from the malice and enmity of Satan.  See John 19:15.

Had the Egyptians rejected God’s help then the famine would have wiped multitudes out, but in this case He was successful.

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Genesis 41:

45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name “Zaphnath-pa-a-neah” [the man to whom secrets are revealed]; and he gave him to wife “As-e-nath” [the one belonging to the goddess “Neath”] the daughter of Potipherah priest [the top man] of On [an important city later called “The city of the sun”].

And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. [To be a saviour.  See Obadiah 1:21.]

Psalm 105:21-22:

"He [Pharaoh] made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: to bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom."

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From the dungeon Joseph was exalted to be ruler over all the land of Egypt. It was a position of high honour, yet it was beset with difficulty and peril, not least was the jealousy of those close to Pharaoh. One cannot stand upon a lofty height without danger from God’s enemy who is “seeking whom he may devour”.  1 Peter 5:8.  As the tempest leaves unharmed the lowly flower of the valley, while it uproots the stately tree upon the mountaintop, so those who have maintained their integrity in humble life may be dragged down to the pit by the temptations that assail worldly success and honour.  How easy it is to change from the LORD (servant) to the Lord (master)!

But Joseph's character had already borne the test alike of adversity and prosperity and now the same fidelity to God was manifested as he stood in the palace of the Pharaohs as when in a prisoner's cell. He was still a stranger in a heathen land, separated from his family, the worshipers of God; but he fully believed that the divine Hand had directed his steps, and in constant reliance upon God he faithfully discharged the duties of his position as helper to the unbelievers, and was protected because of this.

Through Joseph the attention of the king and great men of Egypt was directed to the true God; and though they stuck to their idolatry, they learned to respect the principles revealed in the life and character of the worshiper of Almighty God.  He was a “blessing” to “the families of the earth.”  Genesis 12:2-3.

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Genesis 41:

46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt [the right age and understanding for a Hebrew to begin God’s work. Luke 3:23]. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt [to check on the resources]. 47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. 48 And he gathered up [bought] all the [spare] food of the seven years [it was quite cheap], which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. 49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.

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How was Joseph enabled to live such a life of firmness of character, uprightness, and wisdom?

In his early years in Egypt he had consulted duty rather than inclination; and the integrity, the simple trust, the noble nature of the youth bore fruit in the deeds of the man.  His pure and simple life as a slave had favoured the vigorous development of both physical and intellectual powers and ability to serve.  Communion with God through His works (Psalm 78:4) and the contemplation of the grand truths entrusted to the inheritors of faith had elevated and ennobled his spiritual nature, broadening and strengthening his mind as no other study could do.  See Romans 3:1-2.

Faithful attention to duty in every position, from the lowliest to the most exalted, had been training every power for its highest service. He who lives in accordance with the Creator's will is securing to himself the truest and noblest development of character. "The fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28. See also Hebrews 10:5-7.

There are few who realize the influence of the little things of life upon the development of character.  Yet nothing with which we have to do is really small. The varied circumstances that we meet day by day are used to show our faithfulness (or lack of it) and to qualify us for greater trusts. By adherence to principle in the transactions of ordinary life, the mind becomes accustomed to hold the claims of duty above those of pleasure and inclination. Minds thus disciplined are not wavering between right and wrong, like the reed trembling in the wind; they are loyal to duty because they have trained themselves to habits of faithfulness and truth.

By faithfulness in that which is least they acquire strength to be faithful in greater matters.  Luke 16:10.

An upright character is of greater worth than the gold of Ophir, God says.  Isaiah 13:12.  Without it none can rise to an honourable eminence. But character is not inherited, neither can it be bought. Moral excellence and fine mental qualities are not the result of accident. The most precious gifts are of no value unless they are improved. The formation of a noble character is the work of a lifetime and must be the result of diligent and persevering effort, which God multiplies.   

God gives the opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them.  The work of transformation of our minds from unholiness to holiness is a continuous one.  Romans 12:1-2.  Day by day God labours for our sanctification, and we are to co-operate with Him, putting forth persevering efforts in the cultivation of right habits.  We are to add grace to grace in this dispensation of grace. Ephesians 3:2.  And as we work on the plan of addition, God works for us on the plan of multiplication. Our Saviour is always ready to hear and answer the prayer of the contrite heart, and grace and peace are multiplied to His faithful ones. 1 Peter 1:2.  Gladly He grants us the blessings we need in our struggle against the evils that beset us. All we have to do is ask!

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Genesis 41:

50 And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare to him. 51   And Joseph called the name of the firstborn “Manasseh” [Forgetting]: “For God,” said he, “has made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.” [His longing for home and family had subsided, as he now knew his position in God’s world.]

52 And the name of the second called he “Ephraim” [Fruitful]: “For God has caused me to be fruitful [useful] in the land of my affliction.”

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At the very opening of the fruitful years began the preparation for the approaching famine.  Like Noah, like Elijah, Joseph exercised faith in God’s word, without a single evidence of the calamity to come.  Under his direction immense storehouses were erected in all the principal places throughout the land of Egypt, and ample arrangements were made for preserving the surplus of the expected harvest. The same policy was continued during the seven years of plenty, until the amount of grain laid in store was beyond computation.

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Genesis 41:

53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. 54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all [the surrounding] lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread [in storage]. 55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do.” 56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth:  and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians [he didn’t give it, he was working for a profiteer!]; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. 57 And all [the surrounding] countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands [because Satan cast his net wide].

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Joseph as a slave looked after his master’s interest as he was directed even though it was not the Christian way.  The people of Egypt had been proudly and individually independent of other men until this time, which had made them the foremost nation in the world.  “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people,” God says.  Proverbs 14:34.

But when their money ran out they now had to sell their animals, their lands, and eventually themselves, into the hands of Pharaoh (and through him, to Satan), and ever after he held absolute sway over them.  Why?  Because none of them thought to help themselves during the time of plenty, but ignored God’s warning.  They preferred to rely on the state and its gods and Satan took advantage of this to sell them into national slavery.

It was the Son of God's design that through Joseph, Bible religion should be introduced among the Egyptians and if this had occurred then there would have been a great deal of sharing and support amongst them from the second tithe.  His faithful witness, Joseph, was to represent Christ to them as well as in the court of kings, but the people would not have Him and they had to be left to the tender mercies of a government of selfishness.  The Son of God could save their lives but not their freedom.

We have seen that, through dreams, Jesus communicated with Joseph in his youth, giving him a glimpse of the high position he would be called to fill. The brothers of Joseph, to prevent the fulfilment of his dreams, sold him as a slave, but their cruel act only resulted in bringing about the very thing the dreams had foretold. It was indeed fortunate that they eventually came to listen to the voice of God and repent of their evil deeds.

Those who seek to turn aside the purpose of God, and oppose His will, may appear for a time to prosper; but God is at work to fulfil His own purposes, and He will eventually make very clear who is the ruler of the heavens and the earth.  Consider the following thought.

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Psalm 73:1 A Psalm of Asaph.

Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 3   For I was envious at the foolish [the rejecters of grace], when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 For there are no bands [pangs] in their death [they often die in luxury]: but their strength is firm [full of arrogance]. 5  [Often] they are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

6 Therefore pride compasses them about as a chain [like a necklace]; violence covers them as a garment. 7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily [they are “kings” in their own eyes]. 9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks [their words travel] through the earth. 

10 Therefore His people return here [to an attitude of prayer]: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them [They cry a lot]. 11 And they say, “How does God know?”  And, “Is there knowledge in the most High?” [Does He care?]

12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 13 Verily [maybe] I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency [done good deeds for nothing]. 14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 15 If I say, “I will speak thus [or say too much about it];” behold, I should offend against [cause problems to] the generation of Your children.

16 When I thought to know [understand] this, it was too painful for me; 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 

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Joseph at first regarded his being sold into Egypt as the greatest calamity that could have befallen him.  But through this experience he saw the necessity of trusting in God as he had never done when protected by his father's love. Joseph brought God with him into Egypt, and the fact was made apparent by his cheerful behaviour and appearance amid his sorrow.

He could not physically go into the sanctuary of God (it is in heaven) but by studying his scriptures he understood the workings of it and therefore saw what would happen to the rejecters of God’s grace. Hebrews 8:1.

As the ark (or mercy-seat) of the earthly pattern of the sanctuary of God brought rest and prosperity to Israel in later years, so did this God-loving, God-fearing youth bring a blessing to Egypt.  But, as Satan counterattacked and the blessing was neglected, so the people ended up in a slavery that was never to cease.  Although it took time, eventually under Satan’s leadership that foremost of nations became one of the lowest, without even a king of their own.

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Ezekiel  30:

10 Thus says the LORD GOD; I will also make the multitude [strength] of Egypt to cease by the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon. 11 He and his people with him, the terrible of the nations, shall be brought to destroy the land: and they shall draw their swords against Egypt, and fill the land with the slain. 12 And I will make the rivers dry, and sell the land into the hand of the wicked: and I will make the land waste, and all that is therein, by the hand of strangers: I the LORD have spoken it. 

13 Thus says the LORD GOD; I will also destroy the idols, and I will cause their images to cease out of Noph [they will worship Satan directly as sunworshippers]; and there shall be no more a [native] prince of the land of Egypt: and I will put a fear in the land of Egypt. 14  And I will make Pathros desolate, and will set fire in Zoan, and will execute judgments in No [Heliopolis, the city of the sun]. 15 And I will pour My fury upon Sin, the strength of Egypt; and I will cut off the multitude of No. [These were all the prominent cities of Egypt.] 

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Although He says He will do it, the Son of God also states that the terrible fall would be accomplished by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, the country most at war with Him!  (Daniel 1:1-2).  In this instance, Satan used his counterfeit religious followers to attack his heathen supporters (the king of the north against the king of the south), for his only concern with humans is to hurt God in some way, and to further his ambition which is based on his angel companions. He doesn’t “give a fig” for humanity otherwise, but he does prefer that his counterfeit is in charge.

Even in a case like this, Jesus is prepared to take the blame in an effort to stop them suffering for their sins.  It was Satan who gave the king of Babylon the idea of attacking Egypt, but God upheld Nebuchadnezzar’s right to act in this manner and did not remove his ability to do it. 

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Ezekiel 29:

17 And it came to pass in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, in the first day of the month [of his exile], the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 18 “Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyre: every head was made bald, and every shoulder was peeled [during the long siege]: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyre, for the service that he had served against it.” 

19 “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall take her multitude, and take her spoil, and take her prey; and it shall be the wages for his army. 20 I have given him the land of Egypt for his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for Me, says the Lord GOD.” 

21 “ [But] in that day [when false religion overcomes natural heathenism] will I cause the horn [power] of the house of Israel to bud forth, and I will give you the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I am the LORD [the truth will come out].”

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God does NOT use force at any time, nor does He stop those who want to use it (He merely protects His own and warns unbelievers), and therefore rightly blames Himself for the calamities that fall on the people of this world.

Bye, 

RonP

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