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Youth Worship 22 October 2022 : “May God Almighty give you mercy”

Text: Genesis 43:1-14
22 October 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. A severe famine had struck Egypt and surrounding nations

2. Only Egypt was fully prepared for the famine

3. All surrounding nations were driven to go to Egypt to purchase grain

DESPERATE TIMES FOR JACOB AND FAMILY

1 Now the famine was severe in the land.

2 And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.”

Genesis 43:1-2

1. The famine continued to be severe

2. The supply of grain brought from Egypt had been consumed

3. Jacob had words with Reuben on the subject of bringing Benjamin with them to Egypt

4. He had refused to let Benjamin go with the brothers lest some mishap should befall Benjamin

5. He knows that he needs to send his sons to Egypt to purchase more food

6. He was still not willing to let Benjamin go with his brothers to Egypt

CONVERSATION BETWEEN JACOB AND JUDAH I

3 But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’

4 If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food.

5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ”

Genesis 43:3-5

1. Judah tried to reason with his father Jacob

a) They cannot see “the man” (Joseph)
b) Unless Benjamin was brought down to Egypt

2. If Benjamin would not go with them

a) They would not be able to purchase the necessary provisions
b) Without food, they would lose everything
i) Their animals
ii) Their very lives

CONVERSATION BETWEEN JACOB AND JUDAH II

6 And Israel said, “Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?”
7 But they said, “The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”
8 Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. 9 I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”

Genesis 43:6-10

1. Jacob’s query
Why did they disclose to the Egyptian Minister that they had a younger brother?

2. Judah’s response

a) The Man (Joseph) had asked pointed questions
i) Whether their father was alive
ii) Whether they had another brother
b) They could not but tell the truth!
c) They could not have imagined that they would be compelled to bring Benjamin down to Egypt

3. The Plea of Judah

a) This was a matter of life and death
b) If they can purchase grain, they would live
c) If they do not go to Egypt, they would all die!

4. The proposition of Judah

a) He would be surety for Benjamin
b) If anything untoward happened to Benjamin, he would bear the blame forever

5. An urgent appeal

a) They could have gone to Egypt and returned
b) This procrastination was unmeaningful

JACOB’S DECISION

11 And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. 13 Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. 14 And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”

Genesis 43:11-14

1. If it must be so

a) Carry a present for “the man”
i) Best fruits
ii) A little balm
iii) A little honey
iv) Spices and myrrh
v) Pistachio nuts and almond
b) Bring double the money
c) Return the money that was found in their sacks
d) Take Benjamin too

2. The mercy of God

a) And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man
b) That he may release your other brother (Simeon)
c) And Benjamin

3. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!

a) Resignation
b) Sorrow anticipated

CONCLUSION

1. Where God was not in the picture
Helplessness and hopelessness will set in!

2. Where God is brought in
There is possible mercy and a miracle!