Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. The trip to Egypt was a fearful one for the sons of Jacob

2. They were allowed to return home with theirs sacks full of grain

3. But their brother Simeon had been arrested and bound Genesis 42:17

JOSEPH’S COMMAND TO HIS MEN

Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them

Genesis 42:25

1. The sacks of the sons of Jacob were to be filled with grain

2. The money they paid were to be returned to the men

3. They were given provision for their journey home

ON THE JOURNEY HOME

26 So they loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there.

27 But as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his money; and there it was, in the mouth of his sack.

28 So he said to his brothers, “My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!” Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, “What is this that God has done to us?”

Genesis 42:26-28

1. The brothers loaded their donkeys with the grain
And left Egypt

2. One of them opened his sack to give some food to his donkey

3. He saw his money (purse) in the mouth of the sack

4. Their response was one of fear for they could not understand how this could have happened!

REPORTING TO THEIR FATHER

1. The brothers reported their experience in Egypt

a) They spoke of “the lord of the land” speaking roughly to them

b) They spoke of the demand of “the lord of the country”

i) One brother was to remain in custody in Egypt

ii) The youngest brother must be brought with them the next time
they return to Egypt to buy grain

2. Finding that their money had been returned to them

a) They could not explain what had happened

b) They shared their fears as they emptied their sacks Genesis 42:35

THE RESPONSE OF JACOB

And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.”

Genesis 42:36

1. While the response of the sons was “fear”

2. The response of Jacob was markedly different

a) He blamed his sons

“You have bereaved me”

b) His lament:

i) Joseph was no more

ii) Simeon was no more too

iii) Sorrow that Benjamin would be taken away and be no more

c) He could not apply his faith in God

“All these things are against me”

Genesis 42:36

THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN REUBEN AND HIS FATHER

37 Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my hands, and I will bring him back to you.”
38 But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.”

Genesis 42:37-38

1. Reuben tried reasoning with his father

a) The sons of Jacob knew that their supply of grain would run out

b) He “guaranteed” that he would bring Benjamin back

c) If he failed, Jacob may kill his two sons!

d) What kind of reasoning was that?

2. Jacob rejects any suggestion of allowing Benjamin to go down to Egypt

a) His brother (Joseph) is dead

b) Benjamin is alone

c) If there is a calamity along the way

d) Jacob would be brought to the grave with sorrow

3. The impasse remained

a) Reasoning would not resolve the issue

b) Offering the sacrifice of the 2 sons of Reuben was irrelevant

c) Faith in the LORD was conspicuously absent

CONCLUSION

1. What happened to the faith of Jacob?

2. Where was the faith of the sons of Jacob?

3. In contrast

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Romans 8:28-30

a) How wonderful to have a strong faith in the Lord Jesus

b) Be challenged to cultivate a clear and sound faith in the Lord