1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:04,080 Speaker 1: And put no difference between us and them, purifying their 2 00:00:04,080 --> 00:00:10,840 Speaker 1: hearts by faith Acts fifteen nine. Heavenly Father, you don't 3 00:00:10,880 --> 00:00:13,960 Speaker 1: look on the outward appearance, but you look on the 4 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:17,840 Speaker 1: heart of man. There is no longer any difference between 5 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:21,640 Speaker 1: the Jews and the Gentiles. You broke down that wall 6 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:26,400 Speaker 1: of separation with your grace. I now have the same 7 00:00:26,440 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: access to God and enjoy the same privileges and the 8 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:35,320 Speaker 1: same hope of glory as my Jewish family. True conversion 9 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:39,080 Speaker 1: has nothing to do with conforming to a set of rituals. 10 00:00:39,680 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: True conversion is the sincerity of the heart that is 11 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:47,840 Speaker 1: justified by the grace of God and purified through forgiveness 12 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:53,239 Speaker 1: of sense. My heart is renewed by my faith in 13 00:00:53,320 --> 00:00:57,639 Speaker 1: believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. There are no external 14 00:00:57,680 --> 00:01:01,760 Speaker 1: ceremonies that are required and ow legalist rules to adhere 15 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 1: to in order to justify my salvation. You purified my 16 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:10,600 Speaker 1: heart from dead works so I can serve You, the 17 00:01:10,680 --> 00:01:14,640 Speaker 1: Living God for all the days of my life. You 18 00:01:14,720 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 1: have circumcised my heart from idolatry and all uncleanness, so 19 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:23,840 Speaker 1: I might abide in your presence and find the joy 20 00:01:24,040 --> 00:01:28,880 Speaker 1: and peace of Your promises. The only condition for acceptance 21 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:33,960 Speaker 1: into your eternal family is faith. Faith to believe in 22 00:01:34,040 --> 00:01:40,679 Speaker 1: you and your son and your goodness. Without faith, it's 23 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: impossible to please God in Jesus' name. Amen, stay tuned 24 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever told. From 25 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,520 Speaker 1: pray dot COM's podcast Heroes in the Bible. 26 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 2: Welcome to He in the Bible. I'm ed young and 27 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,720 Speaker 2: he's been my privilege to be your host for this 28 00:02:05,880 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 2: series of podcasts on one of my favorite Bible personalities, Joseph. Sometimes, 29 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:17,799 Speaker 2: in order to keep it contemporary, I call him Joe. Now. 30 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:21,359 Speaker 2: Few people have suffered as much as Joseph did, from 31 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 2: his cruel treatment at the hands of his brothers, to 32 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:30,959 Speaker 2: his slavery, unjust accusations, subsequent imprisonment, and to a prolonged 33 00:02:31,040 --> 00:02:34,840 Speaker 2: period of waiting for Pharaoh's cup byer to remember his 34 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:38,080 Speaker 2: promise to get Joseph out of jail out of prison. 35 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:43,959 Speaker 2: Through it all, Joseph maintained his integrity and his powerful 36 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:49,480 Speaker 2: testimony of trust in the providence of Almighty God. Now, 37 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:52,920 Speaker 2: joseph brothers referred to him as the Dreamer because of 38 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:57,480 Speaker 2: his dreams. God had given Joseph dreams that suggested that 39 00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 2: the brothers and their father would one day bow low 40 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:07,080 Speaker 2: before him. Those dreams sustained Joseph through thirteen long years 41 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 2: until he was elevated to the position of Prime Minister 42 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:17,320 Speaker 2: of Egypt, second only to Faedroah himself. Phenomenal, amazing, isn't it? 43 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:22,640 Speaker 2: And those dreams were ultimately fulfilled as a famine extended 44 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:25,520 Speaker 2: all the way to Canaan brought their brothers to Egypt 45 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:29,760 Speaker 2: to purchase grain as they bowed before him. The purpose 46 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 2: of all that had transpired in his life must have 47 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:38,600 Speaker 2: occurred to Joseph. He now understood that God was working 48 00:03:38,640 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 2: in the circumstances of his life to prepare him to 49 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:46,720 Speaker 2: deliver his family and provide a safe place for them 50 00:03:47,120 --> 00:03:52,080 Speaker 2: through the remaining years of extreme, extreme poverty and hardship. 51 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 2: In this final episode, Joe invites his brothers to bring 52 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 2: their father and their families to Egypt. Jacob, he reunited 53 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 2: with his son as he thought was long since dead 54 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 2: years before. Joseph will make one of the most incredible 55 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 2: statements in the Old Testament. Are you ready? Let's get started? 56 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:27,080 Speaker 3: Prelude to Chapter eleven. It was dawn and the sun's 57 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:31,679 Speaker 3: rays gently peeked over the hills of Israel, shining gently 58 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:36,479 Speaker 3: on the stone grave of Jesus in the coolness of 59 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 3: the morning. As the sun was rising gently, a different 60 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 3: light had emerged from behind the stone tomb. It was 61 00:04:45,680 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 3: brighter than lightning and far more blinding. The earth shook below, 62 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:57,400 Speaker 3: and the sound of grinding stone echoed through the forest. 63 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:01,279 Speaker 3: The large stone wall of the grave was being rolled 64 00:05:01,320 --> 00:05:07,279 Speaker 3: away by an angel. Out from the tomb was a 65 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 3: light too radiant for words. Its power burst forth like 66 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:17,920 Speaker 3: a mighty wind. The guards and attendants trembled on the floor, 67 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:23,240 Speaker 3: shielding their eyes from the shimmering grave. As they looked up, 68 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 3: the light burst again, this time rolling them back into 69 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:35,400 Speaker 3: the trees. From the darkest prison of all death itself, 70 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 3: the redeemer of mankind broke forth with the light at 71 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 3: his back. The glimmering redeemer of the world stood. The 72 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:50,160 Speaker 3: man who had suffered so the rest may be saved 73 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:56,400 Speaker 3: had arrived. Jesus, the Redeemer was ready to be reunited 74 00:05:56,600 --> 00:06:01,279 Speaker 3: with the creation that had fallen away. All history was 75 00:06:01,320 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 3: about to be altered forever, and the people enslaved by 76 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:15,360 Speaker 3: their sins were about to be set free. Chapter eleven, 77 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:23,279 Speaker 3: The Palace of forgiveness. Don't be afraid, Joseph said, with 78 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 3: his eyes filled with tears. You can come near me. 79 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 3: The brothers came close to Joseph with their heads held 80 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:38,680 Speaker 3: low and filled with regret. Seeing their brother's face had 81 00:06:38,720 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 3: initially filled them with joy, but now they felt the 82 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 3: pangs of shame deep within their hearts. The brother they 83 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 3: had once sold into slavery was now the second most 84 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:58,599 Speaker 3: powerful man in the known world. Yet he knelt before 85 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:02,840 Speaker 3: them as an equal, with tears in his eyes and 86 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 3: joy in his voice. Joseph lifted Judah to his feet 87 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 3: and embraced him. He held his face. Look at me, Judah. 88 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 3: Judah would not. He continued to shake his head in shame. Judah, 89 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 3: look at everything you see around you. Egypt is safe 90 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 3: from the famine because of what God has done. Do 91 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:37,120 Speaker 3: not hold your head low in shame because you sold 92 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:43,080 Speaker 3: me here. God sent me here to preserve life. He 93 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 3: knew that one day famine would endanger the land, and 94 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:50,160 Speaker 3: one of us would have to prepare the way to deliverance. 95 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 3: Judah looked up at Joseph, unable to speak. The brothers 96 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 3: were in awe of what Joseph had become the last 97 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:05,679 Speaker 3: time they saw his face. He was a young boy 98 00:08:06,080 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 3: being carted off like an animal. The prideful boy they 99 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 3: once hated was now a ruler and filled with the 100 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:21,880 Speaker 3: joy of God. Joseph laughed and brought his brothers in close. 101 00:08:22,920 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 3: His heart was overflowing with exultation to the Lord. He 102 00:08:27,720 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 3: held them tightly and closed his eyes. You did not 103 00:08:33,320 --> 00:08:39,079 Speaker 3: send me here, brothers. It was God all along. He 104 00:08:39,600 --> 00:08:44,840 Speaker 3: has made me lord of all Egypt. Joseph looked up 105 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:50,200 Speaker 3: to see Reuben standing a few feet off. He was 106 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 3: stoic and still. His head was low, and he wore 107 00:08:56,480 --> 00:09:02,840 Speaker 3: the countenance of a weary man. Joseph approached Reuben and 108 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:08,959 Speaker 3: put his hands on his shoulders. My other's brother, Joseph 109 00:09:09,080 --> 00:09:19,200 Speaker 3: said gently, for years you were my only ally. I know, 110 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:25,200 Speaker 3: I know you felt that you had failed me. Take heart, 111 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:34,000 Speaker 3: for God has redeemed everything. Upon hearing these words, Reuben 112 00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 3: crumbled into Joseph's arms. A weight had been lifted off 113 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 3: his shoulders. He held the regret of a man who 114 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 3: took half measures to save his brother. However, God was 115 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:53,920 Speaker 3: among the sons of Jacob that day. He was doing 116 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:59,360 Speaker 3: healing work in their hearts. Joseph raised his voice to 117 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 3: his brother, I am here for a reason. Brothers, this 118 00:10:04,880 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 3: famine will continue to blight the land and strip it 119 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:13,080 Speaker 3: of all life. There is no survival outside the borders 120 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 3: of Egypt. Come stay here with me and I will 121 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:22,760 Speaker 3: protect you. Go Go to my father and tell him 122 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 3: I am alive. Tell him to bring everything here so 123 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:28,959 Speaker 3: we might begin anew. 124 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 4: How long will this famine last, Joseph, Have you not 125 00:10:35,520 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 4: given us enough grain to wait out for the worst 126 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:38,960 Speaker 4: of it? 127 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 3: Asher asked. Joseph shook his head. This famine will go 128 00:10:46,440 --> 00:10:50,520 Speaker 3: on for another five years. It will only get worse. 129 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:56,720 Speaker 3: Please come under my wings and allow me to redeem 130 00:10:56,800 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 3: you from harm. I will provide all all that you 131 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 3: need for your families. Bring your flocks and your herds, 132 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:11,320 Speaker 3: Bring your children and their children. Together, we shall prosper 133 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 3: in this land. The brothers agreed and made plans to 134 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:21,719 Speaker 3: return home and give their father news of Joseph. They 135 00:11:21,800 --> 00:11:25,319 Speaker 3: continued to be in awe of his wisdom and favor 136 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:29,559 Speaker 3: with God. He was not the same arrogant child they 137 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 3: had once hated. It was as if the hardship he 138 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:40,959 Speaker 3: had endured softened his heart and sharpened his character. Before 139 00:11:41,000 --> 00:11:47,240 Speaker 3: them stood a leader worth following what happened after you 140 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:53,120 Speaker 3: were taken by the Ishmaelites. Simeon asked, I was made 141 00:11:53,120 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 3: a slave, Joseph said, He paused and smiled. Thought about 142 00:12:00,679 --> 00:12:05,440 Speaker 3: all of you. Often I laid awake at night dreaming 143 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 3: about Canaan. I closed my eyes and thought about the 144 00:12:09,880 --> 00:12:14,320 Speaker 3: rolling hills and green pastures. I thought about the stream 145 00:12:14,600 --> 00:12:19,040 Speaker 3: that flowed beside the fields of grain. I would often 146 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:22,480 Speaker 3: try to remember the sound of your laughter beside the fire. 147 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 3: Joseph felt himself growing more aware of God's faithfulness in 148 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 3: his life. He closed his eyes and leaned against Benjamin. 149 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:41,439 Speaker 3: I worked diligently, and God gave me favor in all 150 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:46,160 Speaker 3: that I did. I became the steward over the captain's household. 151 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 3: Yet I found myself in prison for over five years 152 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:55,000 Speaker 3: for a crime I did not commit. It was in 153 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 3: that place where God truly showed me what my dreams 154 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 3: were really four. Joseph recounted his life from slavery up 155 00:13:06,280 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 3: until that point in great detail to his brothers. They 156 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 3: were enthralled by his story. They were finally able to 157 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 3: see how God had used the imperfect and wicked intentions 158 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 3: of his brothers to accomplish something great. Simeon grinned and chuckled. 159 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 3: The rest of the group wondered at what was so amusing. 160 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 3: Simeon shook his head and said, we hated you for 161 00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 3: your dreams, Joseph. We could not stand the thought of 162 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 3: bowing to you. We knew that you were special, and 163 00:13:48,559 --> 00:13:53,920 Speaker 3: we hated that you knew you were special too. Yet 164 00:13:55,080 --> 00:13:59,280 Speaker 3: here we are, and the entire world is bowing down 165 00:13:59,360 --> 00:14:04,560 Speaker 3: to you. God has chosen you from the very beginning. 166 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:10,920 Speaker 3: The other brothers nodded in agreement. Their hatred for him 167 00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:17,000 Speaker 3: was fueled by Joseph's arrogance. However, Joseph now stood before 168 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:22,160 Speaker 3: them as a humble king and honest ruler. He was 169 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 3: a man worthy of praise and admiration, and they were 170 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 3: proud to call him their brother. They ate and spoke 171 00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 3: into the night. Joseph's children were able to meet their uncles. 172 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 3: He listened earnestly as each brother told him about their families. 173 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:47,000 Speaker 3: There had been so much he missed. He had missed 174 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:51,640 Speaker 3: the birth of nephews and nieces. He had missed the 175 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:57,880 Speaker 3: death of his own mother and watching his father grow old. However, 176 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:04,320 Speaker 3: not all hope was lost. With each passing minute Joseph 177 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 3: felt like he was recuperating all the years that were misplaced. 178 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 3: He listened to the stories, trying to imagine himself there. 179 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:19,600 Speaker 3: As they spoke, Joseph could feel the hardened part of 180 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 3: his heart slowly begin to soften. Even though he had 181 00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:28,600 Speaker 3: been surrounded by the splendors of a palace, he had 182 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:34,280 Speaker 3: always felt like he was in a prison. However, as 183 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:38,120 Speaker 3: Joseph bonded with his brothers he had spent so much 184 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:44,880 Speaker 3: time hating, he felt himself dwelling in the Palace of Forgiveness. 185 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:50,200 Speaker 3: It was growing late, and Joseph was keenly aware that 186 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 3: Pharaoh would have to be notified of everything that had transpired. 187 00:15:55,600 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 3: Joseph gathered his brothers once again in the morning. I 188 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:04,240 Speaker 3: will speak to Pharaoh on your behalf. I will secure 189 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 3: a place for you here in Egypt, and once I do, 190 00:16:08,720 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 3: you can leave to retrieve our father. The brothers agreed, 191 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:18,520 Speaker 3: and then left back to the villa to sleep. That night, 192 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:25,160 Speaker 3: Joseph sank into his bed and slept. It was asleep 193 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 3: unlike any other before. He was free from the burdens 194 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 3: of his past and finally able to rest. That morning, 195 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 3: Joseph entered into the courts of Pharaoh. He was always 196 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 3: a welcome guest and greeted with the highest honor and 197 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 3: decorum the king could offer. Dancers swayed in the halls, 198 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:55,000 Speaker 3: the elegant music and an array of food was put 199 00:16:55,080 --> 00:16:59,320 Speaker 3: on display for Joseph and Pharaoh to speak privately about 200 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:07,520 Speaker 3: matters of the country. Zaffenaf panaia. Pharaoh greeted, to what 201 00:17:07,760 --> 00:17:13,080 Speaker 3: do I owe the honor of your persons? Joseph bowed, 202 00:17:14,520 --> 00:17:19,400 Speaker 3: My King, I come to speak about matters regarding my family. 203 00:17:21,240 --> 00:17:24,480 Speaker 3: Pharaoh gestured for Joseph to sit at a table in 204 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:29,800 Speaker 3: the courtyard just outside the throne room. Fruits, nuts, and 205 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:34,120 Speaker 3: cheeses were arrayed for the two of them to dine together. 206 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 3: Joseph reclined and took a bite from the dried fig. 207 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:43,719 Speaker 3: Pharaoh sat regally at the other end of the table. 208 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:49,760 Speaker 3: So what are these matters of family you wish to 209 00:17:49,880 --> 00:17:58,240 Speaker 3: speak of, Pharaoh asked, Is something wrong with USh enough? No? No, 210 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 3: my King, No, My wife and children are well, as 211 00:18:04,640 --> 00:18:08,840 Speaker 3: you know. I am a Hebrew and I was brought 212 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 3: here as a slave from Canaan. My brothers have come 213 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:17,359 Speaker 3: here on behalf of my father to purchase grain from us, 214 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:22,040 Speaker 3: I desire for them to take refuge here in Egypt. 215 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:28,639 Speaker 3: You would request this for men who sold you into slavery. 216 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 3: Surely you do not owe them anything, Pharaoh asked inquisitively. 217 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:44,960 Speaker 3: Joseph considered the question and smiled, I suppose the entire 218 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:48,960 Speaker 3: country owes them something, my king, for if I had 219 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,080 Speaker 3: not been sold to be a slave to Potifar's house, 220 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:56,399 Speaker 3: we would not be prepared for a famine, and this 221 00:18:56,640 --> 00:19:02,760 Speaker 3: land would have perished. Pharaoh not and pondered Joseph's point. 222 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 3: How large is your family? He asked, I have eleven 223 00:19:10,119 --> 00:19:16,680 Speaker 3: brothers and a sister. Joseph replied, all of them with children, livestock, 224 00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:20,160 Speaker 3: and riches of their own. They are farmers and tend 225 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:24,720 Speaker 3: to livestock. If they were to travel here, they could 226 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 3: offer a great deal of expansion for your kingdom. Pharaoh 227 00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:33,440 Speaker 3: leaned back in place, pleased at the notion of more 228 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:38,199 Speaker 3: wealth entering into his country. He had no reason to 229 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:41,560 Speaker 3: fear them, since they were the family of his most 230 00:19:41,720 --> 00:19:48,439 Speaker 3: trusted ally. Pharaoh smiled and placed an almond in his mouth. 231 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:53,920 Speaker 3: Summon your brothers and give them strict orders from me, 232 00:19:55,840 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 3: Thus says Pharaoh. The morning and evening Star of Egypt. 233 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:05,920 Speaker 3: Load your donkeys and go back to the land of Canaan. 234 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 3: Prepare you, your family and your father to dwell here 235 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:17,640 Speaker 3: in the land of Egypt. I will give you the 236 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:22,560 Speaker 3: best of the land I can offer. You shall eat 237 00:20:22,640 --> 00:20:26,359 Speaker 3: the fat of the land and grow to be prosperous 238 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:33,560 Speaker 3: under my wing. Joseph was elated at Pharaoh's generosity. He 239 00:20:33,680 --> 00:20:37,199 Speaker 3: had proven time and again to be a gracious and 240 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:42,480 Speaker 3: kind king. He could only pray Pharaoh's son would be 241 00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:47,679 Speaker 3: as wise and understanding. You are as kind as you 242 00:20:47,840 --> 00:20:54,520 Speaker 3: are powerful, my king, Joseph responded. Pharaoh nodded and smiled. 243 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:59,679 Speaker 3: Order your servants to supply your brothers with more donkeys 244 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:04,679 Speaker 3: and wagons. Be sure that they are well equipped to 245 00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:12,119 Speaker 3: travel here. Of course, my lord, Joseph said. Pharaoh stood 246 00:21:12,240 --> 00:21:15,280 Speaker 3: and stepped on to a throne held up by servants. 247 00:21:16,240 --> 00:21:22,480 Speaker 3: Before departing, Pharaoh looked Joseph in the eyes intently. The 248 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:25,880 Speaker 3: best of my land will be given to your family. 249 00:21:27,240 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 3: Our entire nation owes your God a great debt. I 250 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:41,639 Speaker 3: intend to repay it. With those words, Pharaoh departed to 251 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:47,320 Speaker 3: his daily military strategizing. Joseph made his way back to 252 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 3: his brothers. They were anxiously awaiting word from Pharaoh. Joseph's 253 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:58,240 Speaker 3: head was held high and his arms were stretched open wide. 254 00:21:58,720 --> 00:22:03,520 Speaker 3: My brothers, journey back to our father. We will supply 255 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:06,719 Speaker 3: you with more donkeys and wagons to travel with your families, 256 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:13,320 Speaker 3: for Pharaoh has granted us favor. The brothers cheered and 257 00:22:13,440 --> 00:22:16,879 Speaker 3: embraced one another. They no longer had to fear the 258 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 3: volatility of the famine. Joseph supplied them each with additional 259 00:22:22,040 --> 00:22:26,320 Speaker 3: wagons and provisions for the journey. To each of them 260 00:22:26,720 --> 00:22:32,000 Speaker 3: he gave a change of clothes Egyptian linen. But to 261 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:38,360 Speaker 3: Benjamin he gave five changes of clothes and three hundred 262 00:22:38,440 --> 00:22:43,720 Speaker 3: shekels of silver. Joseph was determined to be the generous 263 00:22:43,880 --> 00:22:48,680 Speaker 3: older brother he never had. Benjamin was his only full 264 00:22:48,760 --> 00:22:54,800 Speaker 3: brother after all, so he felt a profound connection to him. 265 00:22:55,119 --> 00:22:58,800 Speaker 3: As the brothers were packing, he could hear them bicker 266 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:04,360 Speaker 3: about how to oh the donkeys properly. Joseph marched forward 267 00:23:04,400 --> 00:23:09,920 Speaker 3: and loaded them himself. The brothers stood silently as Joseph 268 00:23:09,920 --> 00:23:15,560 Speaker 3: attended to each animal, safely securing each one. He looked 269 00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:19,959 Speaker 3: at them and lifted a finger. The days of useless 270 00:23:20,040 --> 00:23:25,480 Speaker 3: quarreling are over. He said sternly, on your way back 271 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:30,960 Speaker 3: to our father, do not argue over pointless things. I 272 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:35,920 Speaker 3: will not have bitterness enter into my home. Do you understand. 273 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 3: The brothers nodded. They were continually reminded that although Joseph 274 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:46,240 Speaker 3: was their younger brother, he was not their equal. He 275 00:23:46,880 --> 00:23:53,200 Speaker 3: was Zaphnath Panaia, the ruler of Egypt. Although they were 276 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:57,160 Speaker 3: forgiven by him, there would still be a lingering sense 277 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:02,159 Speaker 3: of hurt that would need to heal. Joseph smiled and 278 00:24:02,280 --> 00:24:06,160 Speaker 3: reassured them of his good will towards them. He set 279 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:10,159 Speaker 3: them off with ten donkeys loaded with grain, bread and 280 00:24:10,280 --> 00:24:15,680 Speaker 3: provisions for his father on their journey. Joseph waved them 281 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:19,440 Speaker 3: away and began to prepare a place for his family 282 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:26,800 Speaker 3: to return Back in Canaan. Jacob's weary eyes gazed into 283 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:31,480 Speaker 3: the fire. The embers and smoke rose into the night 284 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:36,480 Speaker 3: sky painted with stars. He warmed his hands and allowed 285 00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:40,560 Speaker 3: his mind to wander. His son's wives and children were 286 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:44,240 Speaker 3: all near the fire as well. All of them were 287 00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:48,280 Speaker 3: awaiting the return of the brothers. They had been gone 288 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:53,240 Speaker 3: for over a week, and they feared the worst. Jacob 289 00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:58,000 Speaker 3: regretted sending his sons back, but he had no choice. 290 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:04,040 Speaker 3: They needed grain. He looked at his grandchildren sitting quietly 291 00:25:04,119 --> 00:25:08,399 Speaker 3: in their mother's arms. He was concerned for them as well. 292 00:25:09,920 --> 00:25:14,080 Speaker 3: The famine had struck them hard, and he feared that 293 00:25:14,280 --> 00:25:17,120 Speaker 3: no amount of grain would be able to sustain them 294 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:22,720 Speaker 3: for more than a few months. Levi's youngest son, Kohath, 295 00:25:23,440 --> 00:25:28,959 Speaker 3: approached Jacob and sat in his lap. Jacob held him close. 296 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:33,960 Speaker 4: Will this be our last days? 297 00:25:35,320 --> 00:25:39,879 Speaker 3: Jacob thought to God, How many more nights do we 298 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:47,439 Speaker 3: have left before we starve? Jacob closed his eyes and 299 00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:52,760 Speaker 3: felt the warm embrace of his grandson. There would not 300 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:57,520 Speaker 3: be many more moments like these. He cherished every bit 301 00:25:57,560 --> 00:26:02,439 Speaker 3: of love he had from his family. He knew his 302 00:26:02,640 --> 00:26:08,280 Speaker 3: time on earth was drawing to a close. Before Jacob 303 00:26:08,320 --> 00:26:12,040 Speaker 3: dismissed him for bed, he could hear the chuckles of 304 00:26:12,119 --> 00:26:17,120 Speaker 3: his sons in the distance. His grandsons help him up, 305 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:20,959 Speaker 3: and he walked over to the small hill near the tents. 306 00:26:22,600 --> 00:26:29,440 Speaker 3: In the distance, he could see torchlights. He counted them eleven. 307 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 3: Jacob raised his hands in joy and went out to 308 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:43,879 Speaker 3: meet his sons. My boy, here is my boy, Jacob cried. 309 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:48,800 Speaker 3: Benjamin ran in front of the others and met his 310 00:26:49,000 --> 00:26:54,159 Speaker 3: father in the middle. The two of them hugged, and 311 00:26:54,359 --> 00:26:59,520 Speaker 3: Jacob sobbed in his youngest son's arms. He looked up 312 00:26:59,560 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 3: to see Simmeon walking next to Judah. He cried out again, 313 00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:11,440 Speaker 3: they have brought you back. He embraced Simeon, and all 314 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:16,360 Speaker 3: the men dropped their things to surround their father. Jacob 315 00:27:16,480 --> 00:27:20,400 Speaker 3: saw that they had brought back more donkeys and carts 316 00:27:20,520 --> 00:27:21,880 Speaker 3: than when they left. 317 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:26,840 Speaker 4: Why have you come back with more donkeys and. 318 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:34,840 Speaker 3: Supplies, Jacob asked. Simeon looked back at his brothers and laughed. 319 00:27:35,960 --> 00:27:40,199 Speaker 3: He placed his hands on Jacob's shoulders and smiled, my 320 00:27:40,359 --> 00:27:47,720 Speaker 3: dear father, the Lord has brought us deliverance from the famine. 321 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:51,880 Speaker 3: The brothers escorted their father back to camp and greeted 322 00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:56,320 Speaker 3: their families. Children ran into the arms of their fathers. 323 00:27:57,480 --> 00:28:02,639 Speaker 3: Jacob's heart was full seeing his entire lineage stand before 324 00:28:02,720 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 3: him by the fire. They sat by the flames and 325 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:12,600 Speaker 3: enjoyed a meal together. There was laughter and praise over 326 00:28:12,640 --> 00:28:18,000 Speaker 3: the abundance they brought back from Egypt. Are these things 327 00:28:19,040 --> 00:28:25,320 Speaker 3: the deliverance you spoke of? Jacob asked. Judah was the 328 00:28:25,359 --> 00:28:30,359 Speaker 3: first to speak. He cleared his throat and looked his 329 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:40,760 Speaker 3: father in the eye. Father, Joseph is alive. Jacob's smile 330 00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:48,840 Speaker 3: disappeared immediately. His brow furrowed as he looked at Judah. 331 00:28:49,040 --> 00:28:53,840 Speaker 3: Do not speak to me of Joseph, Jacob spat. 332 00:28:55,080 --> 00:29:01,200 Speaker 4: Do not chide me about your dead brother. Grieved enough, 333 00:29:02,680 --> 00:29:03,000 Speaker 4: It is. 334 00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:08,680 Speaker 3: True, father, Benjamin said, I got to meet him. He 335 00:29:08,760 --> 00:29:12,760 Speaker 3: is now the ruler over all of Egypt. He is 336 00:29:12,920 --> 00:29:14,440 Speaker 3: the man who made me come. 337 00:29:15,440 --> 00:29:16,560 Speaker 4: It was all a test. 338 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:23,280 Speaker 3: He is alive. Jacob's face turned from anger to dismay. 339 00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:29,400 Speaker 3: What is the meaning of this, he asked, with his 340 00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:34,960 Speaker 3: lips quivering. Judah moved closer and bowed before his father. 341 00:29:36,800 --> 00:29:42,240 Speaker 3: My father, forgive us. We were not truthful with you 342 00:29:42,360 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 3: all those years ago. So the brothers began to tell 343 00:29:47,120 --> 00:29:50,719 Speaker 3: Jacob about what they had done. They talked about the 344 00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:56,000 Speaker 3: Ishmaelites and the silver. Then they began to describe what 345 00:29:56,160 --> 00:30:00,280 Speaker 3: had happened to Joseph while he was in Egypt. They 346 00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:05,120 Speaker 3: explained how he was a slave turned steward, then a 347 00:30:05,200 --> 00:30:12,760 Speaker 3: steward turned prisoner, then a prisoner turned ruler. It was 348 00:30:12,880 --> 00:30:16,840 Speaker 3: much for Jacob to take him. He sat in silence 349 00:30:16,920 --> 00:30:21,560 Speaker 3: as his sons lamented their sins. They groveled before him, 350 00:30:21,960 --> 00:30:27,600 Speaker 3: begging for his forgiveness. However, Jacob simply raised his hands 351 00:30:27,760 --> 00:30:29,160 Speaker 3: for them to be silent. 352 00:30:31,640 --> 00:30:36,400 Speaker 4: I have heard your words, my such I do not 353 00:30:36,760 --> 00:30:45,480 Speaker 4: care about that. It is enough that Joseph is still alive. 354 00:30:47,640 --> 00:30:51,400 Speaker 3: Jacob raised himself up with his staff and reached out 355 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:56,480 Speaker 3: to the heavens. Tears fell like rain from his aged 356 00:30:56,760 --> 00:30:59,959 Speaker 3: and cracked face. He felt liberate. 357 00:31:02,000 --> 00:31:06,600 Speaker 4: I must see him before I die. 358 00:31:05,680 --> 00:31:09,680 Speaker 3: He whispered. It was not so much a request to 359 00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:15,480 Speaker 3: his sons, but more a prayer to God. Jacob asked 360 00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:19,200 Speaker 3: that he would remain on this earth just a little longer, 361 00:31:19,720 --> 00:31:24,880 Speaker 3: so he might see his son again. The family of 362 00:31:25,040 --> 00:31:27,960 Speaker 3: Israel departed from the land that was promised to them 363 00:31:28,040 --> 00:31:33,560 Speaker 3: long ago. The land discovered by Abraham, cultivated by Isaac, 364 00:31:33,920 --> 00:31:37,880 Speaker 3: and lived in by Jacob was left behind for a 365 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:43,280 Speaker 3: new chapter in God's story. The chosen family of God 366 00:31:43,360 --> 00:31:47,800 Speaker 3: traversed the long path between Canaan and Egypt in search 367 00:31:47,960 --> 00:31:52,400 Speaker 3: of redemption. The one who rose out of prison and 368 00:31:52,520 --> 00:31:55,840 Speaker 3: onto the throne had called them to dwell with him 369 00:31:55,960 --> 00:32:01,640 Speaker 3: in prosperity, so they obeyed and ventured for It took 370 00:32:01,760 --> 00:32:07,400 Speaker 3: weeks for Jacob to travel such a distance before leaving 371 00:32:07,440 --> 00:32:11,600 Speaker 3: the borders of Canaan, Jacob stopped in Beersheba to make 372 00:32:11,680 --> 00:32:16,280 Speaker 3: a sacrifice. The rest of the family waited as Jacob 373 00:32:16,360 --> 00:32:19,160 Speaker 3: limped his way up a hill to the well he 374 00:32:19,240 --> 00:32:23,560 Speaker 3: had dug many years ago. It was on this hill 375 00:32:23,840 --> 00:32:27,840 Speaker 3: where God showed him a vision of a ladder to heaven. 376 00:32:29,640 --> 00:32:32,640 Speaker 3: He sat and contemplated the promises of God. 377 00:32:34,640 --> 00:32:39,800 Speaker 4: Is it wrong for me to leave the land promised 378 00:32:39,840 --> 00:32:41,800 Speaker 4: to me by my forefathers? 379 00:32:43,280 --> 00:32:48,800 Speaker 3: Jacob whispered to God. He closed his eyes, remembering what 380 00:32:48,920 --> 00:32:52,880 Speaker 3: God had spoken to him as a young man. The 381 00:32:52,920 --> 00:32:59,160 Speaker 3: wind whistled up the hill, gently caressing Jacob's face. In 382 00:32:59,240 --> 00:33:04,520 Speaker 3: the wind, he could hear a subtle whisper, a still 383 00:33:04,720 --> 00:33:13,160 Speaker 3: and quiet voice speaking straight to his soul. Jacob, Jacob, 384 00:33:13,960 --> 00:33:20,960 Speaker 3: the voice said, here I am, he replied, do not 385 00:33:21,160 --> 00:33:26,040 Speaker 3: fear the unknown. I am your God and the God 386 00:33:26,120 --> 00:33:30,440 Speaker 3: of your father. Do not fear going down to Egypt, 387 00:33:31,120 --> 00:33:35,120 Speaker 3: for there I will make you into a great nation. 388 00:33:36,760 --> 00:33:40,200 Speaker 3: I will go before you, and I will also bring 389 00:33:40,240 --> 00:33:45,120 Speaker 3: you back up again when the time comes, and when 390 00:33:45,160 --> 00:33:47,920 Speaker 3: it is time for you to depart from this world, 391 00:33:49,480 --> 00:33:56,080 Speaker 3: it will be Joseph who closes your eyes. Jacob smile 392 00:33:56,200 --> 00:34:02,360 Speaker 3: at God like one does an old friend. Together they 393 00:34:02,400 --> 00:34:06,120 Speaker 3: sat at the well for a while, getting one last 394 00:34:06,160 --> 00:34:13,360 Speaker 3: look at Canaan. Jacob hobbled down the hill. Midway down, 395 00:34:13,960 --> 00:34:17,760 Speaker 3: he stopped his steps and looked down at his family. 396 00:34:19,200 --> 00:34:25,080 Speaker 3: Reuben and his sons Hannock, Palou, Hesron, and Carmi were 397 00:34:25,120 --> 00:34:32,360 Speaker 3: stitching up donkeys. Simeon was with his sons Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jashin, 398 00:34:32,880 --> 00:34:37,680 Speaker 3: Zohar and Shaul patching up holes in the bags. Levi 399 00:34:38,040 --> 00:34:43,479 Speaker 3: and his sons Gershon, Cohath and Mary were lounging under 400 00:34:43,520 --> 00:34:47,799 Speaker 3: the shade of a large stone. Then Jacob looked at 401 00:34:47,920 --> 00:34:52,759 Speaker 3: Judah and his sons Perez and Zarah. Zarah had two 402 00:34:52,880 --> 00:34:57,640 Speaker 3: children off his own, Hesron and Hamel. They were all together. 403 00:34:58,160 --> 00:35:01,440 Speaker 3: Despite the dysfunction that wrought them the family, they had 404 00:35:01,520 --> 00:35:07,840 Speaker 3: grown to love one another deeply. Ishakar and his sons Tola, Puva, 405 00:35:08,400 --> 00:35:12,320 Speaker 3: Job and Shimron were playing by a small creek beside 406 00:35:12,360 --> 00:35:17,880 Speaker 3: the rocks. Zebeln and his sons sirid Elon and Jaaliel 407 00:35:18,320 --> 00:35:24,760 Speaker 3: were nearby as well. God was present with his sons Zifyon, Haggai, 408 00:35:25,280 --> 00:35:31,480 Speaker 3: shoony esbon Eirai, a Rodi, and Arelli. Asher had his 409 00:35:31,640 --> 00:35:37,600 Speaker 3: sons Imna Ishva, Ishvi, Beriah and a daughter named Sarah. 410 00:35:38,719 --> 00:35:45,680 Speaker 3: He also had his grandsons Haber and Malshiel. Benjamin's children 411 00:35:45,680 --> 00:35:54,800 Speaker 3: would eventually be Bela, Besher, Ash bell Jerah, Maimon, ehi Rosh, Mupim, Hopim, 412 00:35:55,320 --> 00:36:01,239 Speaker 3: and ard. Dan was with his only son Hushim, playfully 413 00:36:01,320 --> 00:36:07,120 Speaker 3: throwing stones at the sons of Nephali, Jazil, Gooni, Jezer, 414 00:36:07,560 --> 00:36:12,440 Speaker 3: and Shilim. Jacob looked upon the vast number of people 415 00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:17,239 Speaker 3: before him. Through the blessings of God, he had created 416 00:36:17,400 --> 00:36:22,440 Speaker 3: a small nation. Now it was time to begin a 417 00:36:22,600 --> 00:36:26,600 Speaker 3: new chapter in the land of Egypt. With the favor 418 00:36:26,640 --> 00:36:30,439 Speaker 3: of God behind them and before them, all of them 419 00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:34,480 Speaker 3: ventured away from Canaan, prepared to begin their new life 420 00:36:35,000 --> 00:36:40,600 Speaker 3: under the protection of Joseph. Jacob rested on a wagon 421 00:36:40,719 --> 00:36:44,960 Speaker 3: pulled by two donkeys. Accompanying him were a few of 422 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:50,200 Speaker 3: his grandchildren and great grandchildren. The journey was filled with 423 00:36:50,320 --> 00:36:54,160 Speaker 3: hopeful joy, and the supplies given by Joseph made the 424 00:36:54,280 --> 00:37:00,000 Speaker 3: long trek far more manageable. Jacob and his sons looked 425 00:37:00,080 --> 00:37:04,760 Speaker 3: at the horizon and saw the majestic architecture of Egypt. 426 00:37:05,800 --> 00:37:10,080 Speaker 3: Its splendor was like the rising sun. The very land 427 00:37:10,360 --> 00:37:13,799 Speaker 3: that was meant to be Joseph's tomb turned out to 428 00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:18,080 Speaker 3: be the land of deliverance for his family. The entire 429 00:37:18,239 --> 00:37:23,200 Speaker 3: family cheered as they entered the borders of Egypt. The 430 00:37:23,320 --> 00:37:26,600 Speaker 3: land had clearly been affected by the famine as well, 431 00:37:27,200 --> 00:37:31,799 Speaker 3: but due to Joseph's brilliance, irrigation systems and patches of 432 00:37:31,920 --> 00:37:36,840 Speaker 3: lush farmland were still intact. It had been the first 433 00:37:36,880 --> 00:37:42,520 Speaker 3: sign of life they had seen for miles. Jacob's lip 434 00:37:42,800 --> 00:37:47,480 Speaker 3: began to quiver, his bones ached from a long journey, 435 00:37:48,160 --> 00:37:54,560 Speaker 3: but his heart was bursting forth with youthful zeal. Judah, 436 00:37:55,280 --> 00:38:02,880 Speaker 3: he called, yes, father, Judah replied attentively, Run ahead. 437 00:38:03,520 --> 00:38:08,160 Speaker 4: And tell my son that we have arrived. I do 438 00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:13,799 Speaker 4: not want to waste one more second. Judah bowed his. 439 00:38:13,840 --> 00:38:17,719 Speaker 3: Head and ran ahead. He made his way to. 440 00:38:17,760 --> 00:38:20,799 Speaker 4: The lavish estate of Joseph. 441 00:38:20,880 --> 00:38:23,560 Speaker 3: He was sitting in the courtyard with a few of 442 00:38:23,600 --> 00:38:29,560 Speaker 3: his officials, strategizing for rationing in the next year. Judah 443 00:38:29,600 --> 00:38:35,200 Speaker 3: came in, escorted by guards. Joseph looked up and immediately 444 00:38:35,320 --> 00:38:42,319 Speaker 3: stood in joy. Is he here? Joseph asked frantically, His 445 00:38:42,480 --> 00:38:47,360 Speaker 3: excited grin was like a little child's. Judah simply nodded. 446 00:38:48,600 --> 00:38:52,160 Speaker 3: Before he had time to catch his breath. Joseph ran 447 00:38:52,280 --> 00:38:57,640 Speaker 3: past him and mounted his chariot. Come quickly, Joseph yelled, 448 00:38:58,200 --> 00:39:02,000 Speaker 3: gesturing for Judah to join him. The two of them 449 00:39:02,080 --> 00:39:07,000 Speaker 3: rode through the city streets with ferocious speed. Judah had 450 00:39:07,040 --> 00:39:11,840 Speaker 3: never ridden a horse before met Alona chariot. Its speed 451 00:39:12,239 --> 00:39:18,440 Speaker 3: was nearly blinding. Joseph was beaming with joy. Tears welled 452 00:39:18,520 --> 00:39:22,160 Speaker 3: up in his eyes as he saw the small caravan 453 00:39:22,239 --> 00:39:23,880 Speaker 3: of people in the distance. 454 00:39:25,160 --> 00:39:27,560 Speaker 4: Mother, he yelled. 455 00:39:29,040 --> 00:39:34,560 Speaker 3: Jacob looked up behind a golden chariot pulled by Egyptian stallions, 456 00:39:35,320 --> 00:39:40,520 Speaker 3: A tall, tanned man adorned with royal garments approached. His 457 00:39:40,640 --> 00:39:45,000 Speaker 3: head dress flew off from the wind, revealing long brown curls. 458 00:39:46,239 --> 00:39:51,200 Speaker 3: Jacob peered at the figure, wondering if it was Pharaoh 459 00:39:51,280 --> 00:39:56,719 Speaker 3: himself coming to read him. But it wasn't. The man 460 00:39:56,840 --> 00:40:02,520 Speaker 3: riding towards him was his son, Joseph, his lost. 461 00:40:02,480 --> 00:40:09,799 Speaker 4: Child, Joseph, Jacob asked with a trembling voice. 462 00:40:10,040 --> 00:40:15,080 Speaker 3: He was close down, and the horses made an abrough stop. 463 00:40:15,719 --> 00:40:19,680 Speaker 3: With the sun at his back, the glimmering redeemer of 464 00:40:19,920 --> 00:40:25,440 Speaker 3: Israel stood before Jacob, the man who had suffered so 465 00:40:25,600 --> 00:40:31,680 Speaker 3: the rest may be saved had arrived. Joseph the Dreamer 466 00:40:32,239 --> 00:40:39,160 Speaker 3: was reunited with his father. Joseph dismounted his chariot. Jacob 467 00:40:39,360 --> 00:40:42,919 Speaker 3: was helped off of the wagon. The two of them 468 00:40:43,040 --> 00:40:46,960 Speaker 3: stood ten feet away from each other. It had been 469 00:40:47,120 --> 00:40:52,760 Speaker 3: many years since they had seen each other. Jacob stepped 470 00:40:52,760 --> 00:40:59,520 Speaker 3: forward and touched his son's face. Tears streamed down the 471 00:40:59,560 --> 00:41:00,720 Speaker 3: cracks of his face. 472 00:41:02,840 --> 00:41:06,200 Speaker 4: Is it you, my son. 473 00:41:08,360 --> 00:41:15,640 Speaker 3: Joseph held his father's hand on his face and nodded, yes, Father, 474 00:41:17,600 --> 00:41:23,200 Speaker 3: it is me. He crumbled into his father's arms like 475 00:41:23,239 --> 00:41:30,000 Speaker 3: a child and sobbed. The two of them embraced. Jacob 476 00:41:30,239 --> 00:41:39,560 Speaker 3: held his face and said, now I may die in peace, 477 00:41:41,360 --> 00:41:50,760 Speaker 3: since I have seen your faith and know that you 478 00:41:50,800 --> 00:41:59,160 Speaker 3: are alive. Joseph welcomed his family into the land of Egypt. 479 00:42:01,280 --> 00:42:05,160 Speaker 3: Jacob would breathe his last breath and be buried beside 480 00:42:05,200 --> 00:42:11,359 Speaker 3: his wife Leah. When Jacob passed, they were fearful that 481 00:42:11,520 --> 00:42:14,680 Speaker 3: Joseph would cast them away for what they had done 482 00:42:14,719 --> 00:42:20,520 Speaker 3: to him. Joseph simply laughed and looked out onto the land. 483 00:42:21,719 --> 00:42:25,400 Speaker 3: He stretched his arms out and showed them the splendor 484 00:42:25,560 --> 00:42:32,400 Speaker 3: of Egypt. My brothers, what you intended for evil, God 485 00:42:32,600 --> 00:42:39,240 Speaker 3: used for good. There is nothing that is impossible for him. 486 00:42:39,920 --> 00:42:42,520 Speaker 3: The people of God were delivered by a man who 487 00:42:42,600 --> 00:42:47,200 Speaker 3: was one of them, betrayed by them, but ultimately was 488 00:42:47,320 --> 00:42:52,040 Speaker 3: risen from the depths to save them. The nation of 489 00:42:52,200 --> 00:42:56,959 Speaker 3: Israel would eventually multiply in the land of Egypt, would 490 00:42:57,000 --> 00:43:02,840 Speaker 3: thrive and become a mighty nation. However, they would not 491 00:43:03,040 --> 00:43:07,080 Speaker 3: be without hardship. It would be in the land of 492 00:43:07,200 --> 00:43:12,279 Speaker 3: Egypt that they would eventually become slaves and call out 493 00:43:12,320 --> 00:43:17,919 Speaker 3: to be redeemed by God again. Yet Joseph's story from 494 00:43:17,920 --> 00:43:25,120 Speaker 3: prison to palace ultimately foreshadowed the life of God's chosen redeemer, Jesus, 495 00:43:26,280 --> 00:43:29,960 Speaker 3: a man who was betrayed by the ones he loved, 496 00:43:30,000 --> 00:43:33,760 Speaker 3: cast into the depths of the grave, but risen again 497 00:43:34,120 --> 00:43:39,319 Speaker 3: so all might be redeemed. The story of God is 498 00:43:39,360 --> 00:43:42,240 Speaker 3: a story of people being risen out of their own 499 00:43:42,280 --> 00:43:49,920 Speaker 3: prisons so they might be redeemed and set free. 500 00:43:52,320 --> 00:43:55,440 Speaker 2: These final chapters in Genes is account of the life 501 00:43:55,440 --> 00:44:00,719 Speaker 2: of Joe. Didn't there's a boy? Did they to imagine 502 00:44:00,719 --> 00:44:04,440 Speaker 2: the procession of Jacob, his sons and their families to Egypt. 503 00:44:05,000 --> 00:44:08,120 Speaker 2: The Bible tells us that a total of seventy people 504 00:44:08,440 --> 00:44:11,960 Speaker 2: came to Egypt, not counting the wives of Jacob's sons. 505 00:44:12,719 --> 00:44:18,560 Speaker 2: God's promise to Abraham is being fulfilled. God promised to 506 00:44:18,600 --> 00:44:23,600 Speaker 2: bless Abraham and to make a great nation from his descendants. Already, 507 00:44:23,680 --> 00:44:26,320 Speaker 2: Jacob's family has gone to a large number in Egypt, 508 00:44:26,480 --> 00:44:29,160 Speaker 2: where they will settled and they will grow into a nation, 509 00:44:30,360 --> 00:44:36,080 Speaker 2: God's people, God's nation. A new chapter has begun and 510 00:44:36,280 --> 00:44:42,160 Speaker 2: is all part of God's plan. When he arrived in Egypt, 511 00:44:42,320 --> 00:44:45,760 Speaker 2: Jacob was reunited with Joseph, the son he had mourned 512 00:44:45,800 --> 00:44:49,760 Speaker 2: is dead. Before his death, Jacob was able to bless 513 00:44:49,800 --> 00:44:53,239 Speaker 2: the sons of Joseph. On top of that, he said 514 00:44:53,280 --> 00:44:57,360 Speaker 2: to his own sons exactly what was predicted, what happened 515 00:44:57,400 --> 00:44:59,720 Speaker 2: to them and to their descendants and to the coming 516 00:44:59,760 --> 00:45:04,920 Speaker 2: j After Jacob's death, joseph brothers begin to fear that 517 00:45:05,080 --> 00:45:08,080 Speaker 2: Joseph would decide to pay them back for the wrong 518 00:45:08,160 --> 00:45:11,840 Speaker 2: they had done to him many years before, and Joseph 519 00:45:11,920 --> 00:45:15,960 Speaker 2: tells them, you know, don't be afraid and states that 520 00:45:16,160 --> 00:45:20,560 Speaker 2: what they had meant for evil, God was able to 521 00:45:20,840 --> 00:45:26,000 Speaker 2: use for good. Joseph understood that God had sent him 522 00:45:26,000 --> 00:45:29,480 Speaker 2: to Egypt and elevated him to a position of great 523 00:45:29,560 --> 00:45:34,160 Speaker 2: power so that he could deserve his family, God's special family. 524 00:45:35,040 --> 00:45:39,520 Speaker 2: God has used Joseph's years of suffering to prosper him, 525 00:45:40,040 --> 00:45:43,520 Speaker 2: to challenge him to save his brothers and to save 526 00:45:43,560 --> 00:45:47,560 Speaker 2: the lives of countless thousands of others in Egypt as 527 00:45:47,560 --> 00:45:52,160 Speaker 2: well as in God's promised land. Joseph knew that God 528 00:45:52,239 --> 00:45:55,520 Speaker 2: is sovereign and that God is good, and Joseph would 529 00:45:55,520 --> 00:45:59,040 Speaker 2: be able to state with confidence what the apostle Paul 530 00:45:59,120 --> 00:46:04,799 Speaker 2: declared and Romans eight twenty eight. And we know that 531 00:46:05,000 --> 00:46:08,640 Speaker 2: God causes all things to work together for good to 532 00:46:08,760 --> 00:46:12,320 Speaker 2: those who love God, who love Him, and to those 533 00:46:12,360 --> 00:46:18,520 Speaker 2: who are called according to His purpose. There are several 534 00:46:18,640 --> 00:46:21,600 Speaker 2: lessons we can learn from this episode, and I'll briefly 535 00:46:21,719 --> 00:46:26,560 Speaker 2: mention just a few. God is never in a hurry. 536 00:46:27,520 --> 00:46:32,040 Speaker 2: God was preparing Joe in administration and leadership as he 537 00:46:32,200 --> 00:46:36,480 Speaker 2: served as a slave in partiphus house. God continued to 538 00:46:36,520 --> 00:46:40,000 Speaker 2: prepare him when he was in prison. In fact, every 539 00:46:40,080 --> 00:46:44,000 Speaker 2: step of the way, God was preparing Joseph for his 540 00:46:44,160 --> 00:46:48,160 Speaker 2: position as prime Minister of Egypt and to bring reconciliation 541 00:46:48,320 --> 00:46:52,400 Speaker 2: to his family. God puts the pieces of our lives 542 00:46:52,640 --> 00:46:57,560 Speaker 2: together according to his timetable, and according to his will, 543 00:46:58,000 --> 00:47:03,760 Speaker 2: and according to his purpose. Number Two, forgiveness is never easy. 544 00:47:04,480 --> 00:47:08,200 Speaker 2: Joseph forgave his brothers, but there had to be evidence 545 00:47:08,280 --> 00:47:12,640 Speaker 2: of confession and repentance before they could be reunion and reconciliation. 546 00:47:13,480 --> 00:47:17,200 Speaker 2: Notice though that Joe took the initiative in the act 547 00:47:17,360 --> 00:47:23,040 Speaker 2: of reconciliation. The third thing, God never gives up on us. 548 00:47:23,120 --> 00:47:26,360 Speaker 2: In that terrific He plants a dream in our hearts 549 00:47:26,400 --> 00:47:30,240 Speaker 2: that only he will bring to fulfillment when we trust him, 550 00:47:30,640 --> 00:47:34,239 Speaker 2: put our full weight down upon him and invite him 551 00:47:34,280 --> 00:47:38,880 Speaker 2: to be the Lord, the commander in chief of our lives. 552 00:47:39,840 --> 00:47:46,160 Speaker 2: Joseph Christ's likeness has been evident throughout this series. He 553 00:47:46,239 --> 00:47:49,640 Speaker 2: was hated by his brothers, he was innocent of wrongdoing, 554 00:47:50,280 --> 00:47:54,440 Speaker 2: and he was unjustly accused and arrested. Something else I 555 00:47:54,480 --> 00:47:58,440 Speaker 2: think we should notice as we conclude this study. God 556 00:47:58,520 --> 00:48:02,360 Speaker 2: has made provision to eat the needs of Jove's brothers 557 00:48:02,440 --> 00:48:07,200 Speaker 2: before they even knew they would have them. God sent 558 00:48:07,320 --> 00:48:11,200 Speaker 2: Jesus in the fullness of time, at the right time, 559 00:48:11,280 --> 00:48:14,120 Speaker 2: in the nick of time, so that while you and 560 00:48:14,200 --> 00:48:18,640 Speaker 2: I were yet sinners, Christ would die for you and 561 00:48:18,719 --> 00:48:25,920 Speaker 2: die for me. Such love, amazing love, demands a response. 562 00:48:27,200 --> 00:48:32,960 Speaker 2: Just as Joseph extended reconciliation to his brothers, God reconcile 563 00:48:33,239 --> 00:48:38,600 Speaker 2: us to himself through Jesus. In other words, God made 564 00:48:39,280 --> 00:48:43,720 Speaker 2: you and made me right with him so we could 565 00:48:43,760 --> 00:48:48,880 Speaker 2: have fellowship with Him, so we could pray to him. 566 00:48:49,400 --> 00:48:54,239 Speaker 2: That's the miracle of salvation, that's the miracle of being 567 00:48:54,320 --> 00:48:58,640 Speaker 2: accepted in the family of the Almighty. If you not 568 00:48:58,800 --> 00:49:03,239 Speaker 2: done so before, I pray that today you'll repent of 569 00:49:03,320 --> 00:49:07,040 Speaker 2: any sin in your life. Ask Jesus Christ to come 570 00:49:07,080 --> 00:49:10,440 Speaker 2: into your life and guess what. You'll be right with God. 571 00:49:11,200 --> 00:49:16,520 Speaker 2: Write with yourself and write with others. Congratulations. That's what 572 00:49:16,560 --> 00:49:19,760 Speaker 2: it means to be born again.