A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/61

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

              GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD 

                          PART LXI

 "I, Joseph, the so-called "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution knew that my brothers needed more time to believe that I really am who I just told them I am... That is not too surprising... After all, for two years now they have only known me as the "Egyptian" official... My treatment of them up till now has been quite harsh... Only a short while ago they feared they had to become my slaves... Life looked extremely bleak... They did not think they would be able to go back home to their families.... They then heard from me that they could all go home apart from their youngest brother... Because my silver cup had been found in his sack... But they knew they could not go home without their brother Benjamin.... Their father simply would not survive the loss of his youngest son... Judah, one of the brothers, then offered to take the place of his youngest brother... But he did not know how successful his plea would be... My response to his words would have completely taken them by surprise... Because I began to weep... And I wept long and loud.... They would not have been able to make sense of these tears... It would have caused great confusion... Very likely my words to them that followed my tears would have caused even more confusion.... For I told them that I am not an "Egyptian" official... But that I am their long-lost brother Joseph.... I can see on their faces that they still have a hard time accepting that I really am the brother they had sold... I must tell them one more time that it is really I, Joseph, who is speaking with them.".... Please read th typed out attachment when you will learn that the "Egyptian" official tells the brothers one more time that he really is Joseph whom they had sold to merchants....

 

                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                                   GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                PART LXI 

Joseph, who is in charge of the distribution of grain in Egypt, can see in the faces of his brothers that they have difficulty believing he is who he claims to be as you can read in Genesis 45:12

"You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you."

Joseph is particularly keen that his youngest brother Benjamin knows that he really is their long-lost brother Joseph.

Read Part Sixty-Two HERE

 

             

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/60

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE           

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

               GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD 

                             PART LX

"I, the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, know that it is time for all my family to live with me here in Egypt.... For there will be five more years of famine....I stored up plenty of grain during the seven years when we had abundant harvests...So there is more than enough food to carry us through the years of lack... I must now convince my brothers of the necessity to make that move to Egypt....I am sure it will not be easy for them to tell my fahter that I am alive and not dead...No doubt, twenty-two years ago they made up a story to make him believe I had been killed.... They will have done so to cover over the fact that they had sold me to merchants...I wonder if they used my multi coloured coat as evidence at that time...But it does not matter... Our father needs to hear that I am alive and well... And that I am the most important person in Egypt.... Apart from Pharaoh... They can move to the region of Goshen where their flocks can freely graze."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Joseph, the "Egyptian" official tells his eleven brothers to hurry home and tell their father that he is alive and wants the whole family to live with him in Egypt...

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                      GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                      PART LX

Joseph, who is in charge of the grain distribution in Egypt, then tells his eleven brothers to let his father Jacob know that is alive and well as you can read in Genesis 45:9-11

"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. 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. 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."

Joseph wants his brothers to go back home to Canaan as soon as possible and tell his father that he and his family should move to Eypt to be near him. He even has a region designed for them to live where they can graze their flocks.

Read Part Sixty-One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/59

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

             GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                         PART LIX

"I, Joseph, the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, know I need to continue speaking comforting words to my brothers in front of me....I have known for two years who they are....But they have only just now found out that I am their long-lost brother Joseph... I do not want them to be angry with themselves for what they did twenty-two years ago... When they sold me to merchants... I must tell them that God was involved in what they did...For He used them to send me to Egypt for His purpose....His purpose was to save their lives... It was, therefore, necessary that I would come here before they did... And God has arranged things in such a way that I have now become the most important person in Egypt... Apart from Pharaoh.... That has not happened right away.. That has taken many years... Just as well....For I was a foolish, spoiled, seventeen year old when I arrived in Egypt.... I could not possibly have fullfilled the task that God had in mind for me.... But today I am able to save the lives of many, including my family, because God has given me His wisdom."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Joseph, the "Egyptian" official tries to comfort his brothers by telling them that it was God who sent him to Egypt...

              ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                      GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                    PART LIX

Joseph, who is in charge of the distribution of grain in Egypt, once again comforts his brothers by letting them know that it is God who allowed him to leave Canaan as you can read in Genesis 45:7

"But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnnant of earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 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."

Joseph now understands that it was God who sent him to Egypt and allowed him to be a slave to Potiphar as well as a prisoner in the king's prison so that he can now serve as the most important person in Egypt, apart from Pharaoh, in order to be God's instrument to preserve the lives of his family.

Read Part Sixty HERE

                                               

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/58

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFEL OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                              PART LVIII

"I, the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, can see that my brothers are beginning to take in the fact that I am their long-lost brother Joseph....They do not know by what route I became this official here in Egypt....All they know is that one day, twenty-two years ago,they sold me to merchants.... To be taken to Egypt and sold as a slave... They do not know, of course, to whom I was sold as a slave...Neither do they know how long I was a slave in that household... Moreover, they do not know that I ended up in prison for something I had not done....I do not intend to share all these details with them...I now realise that God watched over me wherever I was and whatever I had to do... And He has used every challenge in my life to prepare me for my present task... I know that I will continue my task as overseer of the grain distribution for at least another five years.... For, according to the dreams God gave to Pharaoh.... The famine will last for a total of seven years... We have had two years of famine...Five more years of famine are to follow.... My brothers ought to know these facts"... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the Egyptian" official reveals to his brothers that the famine will last for another five years....

                    ATTACHMENT  A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                      GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                  PART LVIII

Joseph, who is in charge of the grain distribution in Egypt, continues by telling his brothers that the famine is not yet over as you can read in Genesis 45:6

"For two years now there has been famine in the land, and in the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping."

Joseph knows from the dreams that God had given the Pharaoh nine years ago that the famine will last for a total of seven years.

Pear Part Fifty-Nine HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/57

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

              GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                            PART LVII

"I, the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, have just revealed to the eleven men in front of me that I am their brother Joseph... This news has come as a total shock to them, of course....That is not surprising....After all, the last time they saw me was when they sold me to a group of merchants on their way to Egypt....That is twenty-two years ago....They know that when I arrived in Egypt at that time I would have been sold as a slave...They know too that there was no hope for me to ever leave behind my life as a slave...Once a slave always a slave...To them it is, therefore, unthinkable that I, the "Egyptian" offical, am not the person they have believed me to be these the last two years... I can see that the revelation that I am, in fact, their long-lost brother Joseph is something beyond their grasp....I must have them come close to me....And repeat to them that I really am their long-lost brother Joseph... I must explain to them as well that God allowed me to be sold as a slave in order to save many lives."...Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the "Egyptian" official reveals to his brothers that God allowed him, Joseph, to be sold as a slave so that he can save many lives.

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                     GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                PART LVII

Joseph realises from the expressions of fear he can see on the faces of the men in front of him that he needs to speak kindly to his brothers as you can read in Genesis 45:4-5

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. And now do not be distressed, and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, for it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you."

Joseph understands that God has allowed him to be sold into Egypt so that their lives will be saved.

Read Part Fifty-Eight HERE

APURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES; GOD MEANS IT FOR GOODP/56

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

              GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD 

                            PART LVI

"I, the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, have finally revealed to these eleven men in front of me who I realy am... I told them that I am their long-lost brother Joseph whom they sold to merchants twenty-two years ago... I have waited two years before revealing this truth to them... I longed to tell them the truth the very moment I saw them... But I knew I needed to test them first to find out if they have changed since they sold me so carelessly... Today I know that they have changed.. They are no longer the ruthless men they used to be... God has done a work in their hearts....I know this from the words of Judah... For he was willing to become my slave so that his youngest brother might go free.... It is a miracle... Having told them who I really am.... I asked them a question that is very much on my heart....I asked them if my father is still alive....They were not able to answer me.... I understand... For they must be in such a state of shock that I, the "Egyptian" official am able to speak Hebrew."...Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the "Egyptian" official after having revealed to the eleven men in front of him that he is Joseph, enquires after his father Jacob...

                     ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                    GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                 PART LVI

After the official in charge of the grain distribution in Egypt has revealed to the eleven men in front of him that he is their long-lost brother Joseph, he continues by asking after their father Jacob as you can read in Genesis 45:3b

"Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

Joseph needs to hear once again that his father is alive and well. As for the brothers' reaction to Joseph's words, please remember that Joseph has known for some time already that these men are his brothers for he recognised them the first time they stood before him. But his brothers have absolutely no idea that the "Egyptian" official who stand before them is not who he claims to be. So Joseph's revelation of  who he really is comes as a great shock to them for they will have realised that the past has finally caught up with them. And there is no running away from it; they have to face it. And that is how it is for you. Sooner or later God will want you to face anything you may have done in the past that has not been right. This is for your sake so that you can come clean of these things, can be forgiven and be set free from any guilt, condemnation in relation to these things.         

Read Part Fifty-seven HERE                                                         

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES; GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/55

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE                      

A PURPOSEFUL LIFEL OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

              GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                              PART LV

"I, the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, knew that I needed to explain to these eleven men in front of me why I was weeping so loudly... But my tears kept coming... They have been bottled up for too long... To be exact for twenty-two years...I could, therefore, not stop them... However, I eventually managed to calm down... I then straightened up... I looked these eleven men in the face.... They looked quite bewildered...Not too surprising... After all, to them I had only ever been this very serious looking "Egyptian" official... So they did not know what to make of this sudden outburst of emotion...But I knew it was time to say something to them... Something I had been longing to say to them ever since I saw them the first time two years ago...And I knew the time had finally come to say what I had wanted to say all that time....It was time to reveal to them that I am not who they believe me to be... The moment has come to reveal to them that I am the brother they sold to merchants these many years ago.... That I am Joseph."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the eleven brothers learn who the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution really is...

                   ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                      GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                  PART LV

The official in charge of the grain distribution in Egypt, after he has wept for a long time, calms himself down and turns to the men in front of him.He then speaks to them the following words in Genesis 45:3a

"..... I am Joseph!"

The time has finally come for the "Egyptian" official to reveal his true identity to these men in front of him: he is their long-lost brother Joseph!

Read Part Fifty-Six HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/54

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE   

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

              GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                            PART LIV

"I, the "Egyptian" official in charge of the grain distribution, was speechless for a moment... I have eleven men in front of me... They are all brothers who have come from Canaan... They had bought grain for their families... They were on their way back home earlier this morning... However, they returned to me because my special silver cup was found in the sack of their youngest brother... I had told them they could all go back home to their families... Onely the youngest one in whose sack my cup had been found was to remain as my slave...After I had spoken these words I waited... It did not take too long before the one who had told me they would become my slaves spoke again....He pleaded with me to let his youngest brother go free... For his father would not be able to cope if he did not return home.... He told me that he would take his place as my slave!!...This brother was willing to become my slave so that his youngest brother could go free!!... These words were more than I could bear... Emotions engulfed me... I was silent until somehow I found the strength to tell my attendants to leave the room....It did not matter to me what they thought....Then I, the "Egyptian" official burst out in tears....And I wept and wept....It is time to let these men in front of me know who I really am."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the "Egyptian " official cannot control his emotions after one of the brothers, Judah, pleads with him that he be allowed to become a slave in the place of his youngest brother Benjamin...

                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                  GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                PART LIV

The official in charge of the grain distribution in Egypt is overcome by emotions after one of the men in front of him, called Judah, pleads to become a slave instead of his brother Benjamin as you can read in Genesis 45:1-2

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, "Have everyone leave my presence! 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.

The official realises that a great change has taken place in the heart of Judah as well as the other sons of Jacob, which causes him to weep.

Read Part Fifty-Five HERE

                                                         

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/53

 

                                                                                    Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

               GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                              PART LIII

"I, Judah continued to speak to the official in charge of the grain distribution here in Egypt.... We, my ten brothers and I, have returned to him after his special silver cup was found in the sack of our youngest brother Benjamin...The official has told us ten of us can go home...Only Benjamin is to stay behind as his slave...But that must not happen... I must tell him in detail the last conversation we had with our father when he reminded us of the loss of his one son... He will, therefore, not be able to bear the loss of this son.... I must as well tell the official that I guaranteed the return of my youngest brother to our father....The official must understand that I, therefore, cannot go back home without him... The loss of this son will mean the death of our father... I cannot bear the thought of that happening....I will offer myself as a slave instead of my youngest brother... Surely, the official will be willing to let me stay as his slave... That way my youngest brother can return home with his other brothers....And I will save the life of my aged father."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Judah continues his plea before the "Egyptian" officail to let his youngst brother Benjamin go back home to Canaan with his brothers....

                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                   GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                              PART LIII

Judah, one of the eleven sons of Jacob, continues to speak to the official in charge of the grain distribution in Egypt by sharing with him that he had told his father he would guarantee the return of his youngest son as you can read in Genesis 44:25-34

Then our father said, "Go back and buy a little more food." But we said, "We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us." Your servant my father said to us, "You know that my wife bore me two sons. One of them went away from me, and I said, "He has surely been torn to pieces. And I have not seen him since. If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my grey head down to the grave in misery." "So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father, and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy's life, sees that the boy isn't there, he will die. Your servants will bring the grey head of our father down to the grave in sorrow. Your servant guaranteed the boy's safety to my father. I said, "If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life." Now then  please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. How can I go back to my father is the boy is not with me?No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father."

Judah ends his plea to the "Egyptian" official by offering to take the place of his youngest brother Benjamin as slave to the official.

Read Part Fifty-Four HERE