The Messiah’s Secret
– How Great is our God
Readings Genesis 50: 4-26. Mark 6: 45-52.
Jesus in faith proved that he was greater than Moses when he walked on the waters of Galilee. Moses crossed the Red Sea by walking on dry land after God held back the Sea.
Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus. He began to sink as his faith weakened. Jesus’ response to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt.” Matthew 14: 31
Joseph was a man of faith, his faith increased as he suffered the trials of life. He prospered because of his faith in God.
Joseph’s Story.
In the Hebrew Bible Jacob is the son of Isaac and Rebekah, the grandson of Abraham, Sarah and the younger twin brother of Esau. Jacob had twelve sons, by his two wives, Leah and Rachel and by their handmaidens Bilhah and Zilpah. The sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issacher, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin.
Joseph’s dreams
“Behold we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf arose and stood upright; and behold, your sheaves gathered round it, and bowed down to my sheaf.” When the brothers heard this they were indignant towards him. Joseph had another dream and he told it to his brothers, “Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” His father rebuked him saying, “Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come and bow ourselves to the ground before you?”
Jacob sent Joseph to his brothers who were watching the sheep at Shechem. When he arrived there he found that they had moved on to Dotham. When his brothers saw him coming they plotted to kill him and throw him into a pit. Only Reuben didn’t want him killed, so he requested that they should not take his life before throwing him into the pit. Reuben had planned to rescue Joseph later. They stripped him of his robe and threw him into a waterless pit. However, Judah spoke up when he saw the Ishmaelite traders in the distance and suggested that they should sell Joseph to them. But before this could take place, some Midianite traders passing by pulled Joseph out of the pit and they took him and sold him to the Ishmaelite traders for 20 shekels. (RSV Bible NIV Bible says the brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites.) When Reuben saw that Joseph was no longer in the pit he was very upset he did not know what had become of Joseph. The other brothers dipped Joseph’s coat in goat’s blood and took it home to show Jacob suggesting that a wild animal had killed him. Genesis 37
Chapter 39.
The Ishmaelites took Joseph to Egypt where they sold him to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. The Lord was with Joseph and he was successful in all his endeavours. Potiphar made him overseer of his house and field. Joseph was handsome and attracted the attention of Potiphar’s wife, but Joseph refused her advances towards him. However, one day Joseph was in the house attending to his work when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. In his haste to free himself from her, she held onto his garment as he was fleeing out of the house. Afterwards she accused Joseph to her husband of trying to seduce her. Potiphar arrested Joseph and took him to the king’s prison where he was imprisoned.
Chapter 40.
The Lord loved Joseph and upheld him, the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph the care of the prisoners. Two prisoners Pharaoh’s butler and baker were also in the prison. One night they both had dreams each dream had its own meaning: Joseph interpreted the butler’s dream – “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches; as soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in his hand.” Joseph said to him this is the interpretation: the three branches are three days; within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office; and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his butler.” Joseph asked the butler if he would remember him as he had done nothing deserving imprisonment.
When the baker saw that the interpretation was favourable, he told Joseph his dream, “There were three cake baskets on my head and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh. But the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head. Joseph interpreted the dream – “The three baskets are three days within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head – from you – and hang you on a tree and the birds will eat the flesh from you.” Both dreams were fulfilled on the third day which was Pharaoh’s birthday. But the butler did not remember Joseph, he forgot him.
Chapter 41
After being 2 years in prison Joseph was summoned by Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. The first dream – “There came up out of the Nile seven cows sleek and fat, and thy fed in the reed grass. And behold seven other cows, gaunt and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. The gaunt cows and thin cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows.
The second dream,” Behold seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the eat wind. And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears.”
Verse 25, Joseph interpreted the dreams: “The dream of the Pharaoh is one; God has revealed in Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven good years and the seven good ears are seven years; the dream is one. The seven lean and gaunt cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. There will be seven years of plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them there will arise seven years of famine.” Joseph proposed that Pharaoh should put in place overseers to gather all the food in the good years and store it in the cities. The food will be a reserve against the seven years of famine.
The proposal was accepted by Pharaoh and his servants. In response to this Pharaoh made Joseph head over his house and governor over all the land of Egypt, bestowing upon him his signet ring and gave him fine linen garments and a gold chain. He was second only to Pharaoh, he rode behind him in his second chariot. Pharaoh gave Joseph in marriage to the daughter of Potiphar’s priest of On. Joseph was 30 years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh. The seven years that followed the grain was stored in the cities in readiness for the famine. Before the year of the famine started Joseph had two sons Manasseh and Ephriam. Manasseh – “For, he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and my entire father’s house.” Ephraim - “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Joseph opened the stores of grain as the famine told hold.
Chapter 42
The famine was server not just in Egypt but all over the region. When Jacob heard that Egypt had grain he sent 10 of his sons to buy grain. The brothers of Joseph came before him in their request to buy grain. Joseph knew who they were when they said that they had come from Canaan, but he did not let them know who he was. He treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. Joseph remembered his dream.
Instead of revealing who he was he accused them of being spies, in response they gave account of their family; they were sons of one man and were honest. In verse 29 “We are twelve brothers, sons of one father; one is no more, and the youngest this day with our father in the land of Canaan. Then the man, the lord of the land said to us, ‘By this I shall know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain for the famine of your households, and go your way. Bring your youngest brother to me; then I shall know that you are not spies but honest men, and I will deliver to you your brother, and you shall trade in the land.” Joseph had ordered that the money should be put in the brother’s sacks as well as the grain. When they saw the money Jacob was perplexed and worried, he was afraid of losing two sons, Simeon and Benjamin the son of Rachel.
Chapter 43
The famine continued, Jacob had relented and said that Benjamin could go with them, so he sent his sons to Egypt again to buy grain. Jacob insisted that they should take double the money for the grain that they had already received and for the grain they hoped to purchase and also take with them gifts of fruit, balm, honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
The famine continued, Jacob had relented and said that Benjamin could go with them, so he sent his sons to Egypt again to buy grain. Jacob insisted that they should take double the money for the grain that they had already received and for the grain they hoped to purchase and also take with them gifts of fruit, balm, honey, gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
When they arrived in Egypt, Joseph saw Benjamin was with them. He ordered his steward to prepare a meal for them at his house. They were a little concerned and afraid that it might be a trick to capture and enslave them. When Joseph came home he greeted them and inquired about the welfare of their father and asked if he was still alive. He asked if this was their younger brother, they replied that he was. Joseph was overwhelmed with joy at seeing his brother Benjamin he sought a place to go and weep. After he had composed himself he returned and together with his brothers they ate the meal.
Chapter 44
While they were eating, the steward filled the sacks and also placed their money in them before they left for Canaan. Joseph also had instructed his steward to place his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack along with his money in payment for the grain. The brothers set out for Canaan, but only after going a short distance Joseph sent his steward to search for his cup and apprehend the one who had it and to let the others go.
Every one of them lowered their sack and it was searched, the steward found the cup in Benjamin’s sack, he was bound and taken back to the city. The brothers returned to the city to Joseph’s house and before Joseph they pleaded that he should not keep Benjamin from his father Jacob. Judah related to Joseph his father’s distress on sending Benjamin to Egypt as he was afraid of losing another of Rachel’s son.
Chapter 45
Hearing this from Judah Joseph could not control himself and he sent away his servants, only he and his brothers remained. Joseph made himself known to his brothers and he wept aloud. He inquired after his father, but his brothers were dismayed at his presence. “So Joseph beckoned them to come near to him where upon he told them not to fear or be angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God.” Joseph bid them go and tell his father that he was alive and he had the authority to give to them the land of Goshen. When Pharaoh heard he welcomed Joseph’s family to come and live in Egypt. When Jacob heard that Joseph was still alive and ruler over all Egypt, he found it hard to believe, but when he saw the waggons that Joseph had sent he believed. “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive; and I will go and see him before I die.”
All the persons of the house of Jacob that went to live in Egypt were seventy. Jacob was 130 years of age when they entered Egypt and he died aged 147. Joseph died in Egypt 110 years of age. Genesis 50: 22.
Chapter 47: 29-31. 49: 31.
Jacob had discussed with Joseph where he wanted to be buried, he wanted to be buried in Canaan near to where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah and Leah, so Joseph asked Pharaoh if he and his family could go to the place of burial at Atad in Canaan. Pharaoh consented.
Joseph a type of Christ.
The brothers had heeded Joseph’s words about God having allowed his suffering and being treated with contempt by his brothers. Joseph a type of Christ in his suffering and being thrown into a pit to die, signifying Christ’s death and when he was pulled out of the pit by the Midianite traders it was like Jesus’ resurrection.
Joseph being sold into slavery and was redeemed from slavery and imprisonment by God through Pharaoh having appreciated his interpretation of his dream, he was raised up to sit in the second chariot after Pharaoh.
Jesus was redeemed resurrected by God and raised up to be seated at the right hand of the throne of God, where he intercedes for those who come to him in faith.
Joseph's brothers sought his forgiveness, but Joseph reminded them that he was not God.
Jesus forgives those who come to him in repentance and faith.
Jane's True Testimony (I know this dear lady personally)
In Sept 1989 Jane who had no links with any church met Jesus as she walked along the disused railway line with her dogs.
“First I would like to explain that I finally forgiven someone, I mean truly forgiven. A few days later I was walking along the disused railway in Helmshore with our dogs. It was a pleasant day, very still. I felt a wind blow up, but nothing was moving. I saw in front of me a life size Jesus on the cross. He was dead, his body grey, stone like, I couldn’t bear to look, I turned away. I felt all the wrong that I had done being taken away from me, but I didn’t want him to, because I physically felt the pain that I had caused him. I felt ashamed and started crying. The next minute I felt a presence next to me. I wasn’t sure if it was Jesus or God, but I couldn’t see anyone. All the weight I had been carrying inside had been taken away. I felt so happy, so clean. Everywhere was so beautiful, the colours were so bright, I had never seen colour like it before.”
Joseph's brothers had repented
"So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave us command before he died, Say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you, the transgressions of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, we pray you, for give the transgressions of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept as they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, "Behold, we are your servants." But Joseph said to them, “Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he reassured them and comforted them.” 50: 16-21.
While Jesus he was dying on the cross, he said "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Jesus forgave the sins of Israel and all of those who had brought charges against him. Luke 23: 34.
Joseph saved Jacob and his sons and their families, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth.” Genesis 45: 7.
The Messiah’s Secret
Jesus Christ would have saved the nation of Israel had the leaders recognised him after his ascension when the disciples of Jesus proclaimed for the first time at Pentecost that Jesus was the Christ, God meant his suffering for good, fulfilling Joseph's words.
"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know ------this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. " Acts 2: 22-24. Peter continued to witness that Jesus had fulfilled King David's prophecy of the Messiah's bodily resurrection.
Those Jews who accepted Jesus proclaimed him to the Jew first and then to the Gentiles. Jesus the Saviour of the world.
Jacob crossing the Jordan in his death was prophetic of the journey that Joshua made leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and of Jesus’ Baptism.
Joseph being sold into slavery and was redeemed from slavery and imprisonment by God through Pharaoh having appreciated his interpretation of his dream, he was raised up to sit in the second chariot after Pharaoh.
Jesus was redeemed resurrected by God and raised up to be seated at the right hand of the throne of God, where he intercedes for those who come to him in faith.
Joseph's brothers sought his forgiveness, but Joseph reminded them that he was not God.
Jesus forgives those who come to him in repentance and faith.
Jane's True Testimony (I know this dear lady personally)
In Sept 1989 Jane who had no links with any church met Jesus as she walked along the disused railway line with her dogs.
“First I would like to explain that I finally forgiven someone, I mean truly forgiven. A few days later I was walking along the disused railway in Helmshore with our dogs. It was a pleasant day, very still. I felt a wind blow up, but nothing was moving. I saw in front of me a life size Jesus on the cross. He was dead, his body grey, stone like, I couldn’t bear to look, I turned away. I felt all the wrong that I had done being taken away from me, but I didn’t want him to, because I physically felt the pain that I had caused him. I felt ashamed and started crying. The next minute I felt a presence next to me. I wasn’t sure if it was Jesus or God, but I couldn’t see anyone. All the weight I had been carrying inside had been taken away. I felt so happy, so clean. Everywhere was so beautiful, the colours were so bright, I had never seen colour like it before.”
Joseph's brothers had repented
"So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave us command before he died, Say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you, the transgressions of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, we pray you, for give the transgressions of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept as they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, "Behold, we are your servants." But Joseph said to them, “Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he reassured them and comforted them.” 50: 16-21.
While Jesus he was dying on the cross, he said "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Jesus forgave the sins of Israel and all of those who had brought charges against him. Luke 23: 34.
Joseph saved Jacob and his sons and their families, “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth.” Genesis 45: 7.
The Messiah’s Secret
Jesus Christ would have saved the nation of Israel had the leaders recognised him after his ascension when the disciples of Jesus proclaimed for the first time at Pentecost that Jesus was the Christ, God meant his suffering for good, fulfilling Joseph's words.
"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know ------this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. But God raised him up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. " Acts 2: 22-24. Peter continued to witness that Jesus had fulfilled King David's prophecy of the Messiah's bodily resurrection.
Those Jews who accepted Jesus proclaimed him to the Jew first and then to the Gentiles. Jesus the Saviour of the world.
Jacob crossing the Jordan in his death was prophetic of the journey that Joshua made leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and of Jesus’ Baptism.
Jacob’s funeral was like our state funeral were high ranking people in society pay their respects to the death of a leader or a royal person. Thousands of his own relatives plus Egyptian men and women made the journey to Atad situated beyond the Jordan near to where it flows into the Salt Sea.
When Joshua was about to enter the Promised Land, the priests were to carry the Ark of the Covenant and stand in the middle of the Jordan, as they did so the river stood in a heap and the Israelites crossed over on dry land. Afterwards the river returned to normal. Joshua 3: 8. 4: 15-18.
Baptism
The Ark symbolising God’s presence, his meeting place between the Cherubim on the lid of the Ark where the sacrificial blood was sprinkled by the high priest on the Day of Atonement. We see this in the tomb situation when Mary looked into the tomb and saw two angels one where his feet had been and the other where his head had laid. Jesus having made the sacrifice of himself, the final atonement for sin and the causes of sin against our Holy God. God raised Jesus up from the dead and in his resurrection he has redeemed us. Redeemed by his blood and set free into the freedom of his forgiveness. Water a symbol cleansing in dying to sin and being raised up from death in being filled with the eternal Holy Spirit.
This scene a picture of our baptism.
In faith we enter into Jesus’ baptism through acknowledging our sin against God; we step down into the river where the water had been, we look to the middle of the river and see Jesus on the cross and his offering of himself to take our sin upon him. As we look into his face we ask for forgiveness and then we move towards the other side of the river and step out onto the land, we have been raised with Christ into his kingdom.
In faith we enter into Jesus’ baptism through acknowledging our sin against God; we step down into the river where the water had been, we look to the middle of the river and see Jesus on the cross and his offering of himself to take our sin upon him. As we look into his face we ask for forgiveness and then we move towards the other side of the river and step out onto the land, we have been raised with Christ into his kingdom.
