August 13, 2006
Can we turn to Genesis 46; this is the part of the story of Joseph where he brings his family—Jacob and the brothers—into the land of Goshen. When they came into Egypt, they were going to meet Pharaoh, so in v. 32 & 33, Joseph is speaking to his brothers on what to do: “And the men are shepherds, for their trade hath been to feed cattle; and they have brought their flocks, and their herds, and all that they have. And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?” Now here Joseph instructs them, “That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers; that ye may dwell in the land off Goshen …” and it is the last words that interest me, “… for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.” Why did Joseph tell his brothers to use this language? The reason was that “every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.” Egypt is the world, in type. Think of it—we have been considering that the Lord Jesus came in to the world and said, “I am the good shepherd.” He used the language that would be an abomination to the world unflinchingly. He obeyed the Father, humbled himself, and took the form of a servant or slave. He stooped lower still, until obedience led Him to the accursed tree and He became obedient unto death. Long before his death, the end of this chapter brings to light the way in which the Lord was abominable to sinful man. Man’s sinfulness reacted and we see the Lord bearing the consequence of what He became, but really He is dying because His sheep have gone astray. He did it so each one could be brought into his flock. He did the work that he must do so that today we can say, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” He leads, He provides, He blesses, for time and for eternity. Wondrous to know Him as Shepherd and to be His sheep!
EG Hymn 324 – Into a tent where a gypsy boy lay, Prayer • Last time, we finished the story of Joseph. This time, I would like to read a few verses, and then I will tell you two stories. Turn to Matthew 24:40–42. These verses speak of the appearing of the Lord, when the unrighteous will be taken for judgement and blessing will be given to those that remain; however, the same thing will happen at the rapture when we are taken to be with the Lord. Christians will be taken; those who are not saved will be left, eventually to appear before God and go to Hell. Now read John 14:1–3. These verses speak of when the Lord comes; what a wonderful thing it will be to be taken to glory as He has promised. Yet how terrible to be left behind. Let’s look at one more place that speaks of the Lord’s coming; read I Thessalonians 4:15–17. Now, the first story I want to tell you is a true story; I had an uncle named Mr. Soal, who worked at a factory that produced Mecca cream here in Toronto. This business was started by brothers Stuart and Eugene Peterson, both Christians. Stuart Peterson had a son named Dean. One day, the Stuart Petersons went out, and Dean stayed at home. But when the appointed time came for his parents to return, they were not home yet. Dean began to think, “Maybe the Lord has come, and I have been left behind.” I’m not sure if this was how he got saved, but it shows us that the Lord could come at any moment. The next story is actually a tract. One day, while a father was driving home from work, he got into a serious accident. He was taken to the hospital, but the doctors said that he would not live very long. “Bring my family in,” he requested. When they came in, he called his wife over and said, “Jessie, you have been a wonderful wife; you’ve helped me through thick and thin. I know I am going home now. Good night.” He called his eldest daughter over. “Doreen, you are a wonderful girl; you love the Lord and are living for Him; you’re a carbon copy of your mother. I know I’m going home now; good night.” He called his next daughter. “Patricia, you have made me very happy; I know you are saved. Keep going on for the Lord. Good night.” Then he called his son, Charlie. “Charlie, you have been a rebellious son. You haven’t accepted the Lord as your Saviour, Good bye.” “Wait a minute, Dad, how come you said ‘good night’ to the others, and only ‘good bye’ to me?” “Because I know you are not saved, so I won’t see you in heaven.” “Dad,” Charlie said, “I don’t want it to be that way,” and he knelt down beside the bed. In a moment, he got back up and said, “Dad, now I’m saved!” “I’m so glad, Charlie; good night.” This is a very touching story; no one wants their loved ones to be left behind.
Hebrews 11:21–26 • Last week we noticed that Abraham, the outstanding patriarch, has a long piece in our chapter, full of different aspects of faith. The next three men get only one verse each. Last week we looked at Isaac, who blessed Jacob and Esau. Now we are read about Jacob. The Old Testament has much to say about him; it is not all very flattering. Here in the New Testament, the example is right at the end of his life. It is as though God says, “Finally, he did something faithful.” For most of his life, Jacob lived for himself. Sadly, sometimes we can relate to him. We all have an old nature that wants to put self first. But we also have a new nature that will help us be faithful. Jacob had a lot of trials in his life, but he always trusted his wits to get him through. Finally he has stopped leaning on himself; he is leaning on his staff (Genesis 47:31 says “the bed’s head,” but “staff” is more correct.) Now as he blesses the children of Joseph, he finally, after such a checkered life, gets it right. God wanted Ephraim to get the better blessing. Joseph, of all the types of the Lord in the Bible is probably the most perfect, but here he tells Jacob that he is wrong; but no—Jacob, finally “by faith”, gave God the leftovers of his life. The lesson to learn here is that we should give the Lord our lives when we are young. Jacob said, “God … was with me in the way which I went” (Genesis 35:3). Enoch walked with God, but it seems that God had to walk with Jacob. God should be in front of us in our Christian walk, not behind us. Peter followed the Lord, but afar off. Let us follow closely. Now we have Joseph. When Jacob died, he was buried with his fathers in Canaan. Joseph was second in command of all of Egypt. When his family came, he was the one you had to know to get your food during the famine; he held the coffers of corn. When he died, you might think he would want a monument to commemorate him. But no—he did not even want to be buried in Egypt. By faith, he knew that God had a better country for Israel, and that was where he wanted to be. He told his brothers that when their children left Egypt, if all that was left of him was his bones, then take them along. Well, we do not have to do that; we read in John 14 that we have a home in Heaven, and when the Lord comes, we will get a glorified body and go to be with Him. EG Hymn 357 – A certain man of whom we read, Prayer