UNTIL THE END OF TIME
MIKE CUNNINGHAM
MARCH 17, 2013

This series of sermons about Joseph and his brothers and their father Jacob has been providing us with awe- inspiring examples of the Providence of God working in and through each of their lives.

In the study guide of his book Trusting God, Jerry Bridges reminds us of the fact that, “God controls both the good and the bad. God has not looked the other way or been caught by surprise when adversity strikes us. He is in control of the adversity, directing it to His glory and our good.” That fact is called the Providence of God. “God’s providence is His constant care for and His absolute rule over all His creation for His own glory and the good of His people.” “The Bible teaches that God not only created the universe, but that He upholds and sustains it day by day, hour by hour. Scripture says, “The Son is … sustaining all things by His powerful word” (Hebrews 1:3), and “in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17).” It’s in Him that we live and move and have our very being. Apart from Him we can do nothing!

Through the trials and tribulations of those ancient Hebrews, countless other people such as you and me will continue to be blessed “Until The End of Time.” Picking up where we left off last week, we will examine more closely the following passages of Scripture.

Genesis 45:9-15 (TLB) 9 “Hurry, return to my father and tell him, ’Your son Joseph says, “God has made me chief of all the land of Egypt. Come down to me right away! 10 You shall live in the land of Goshen so that you can be near me with all your children, your grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all that you have. 11 I will take care of you there’ ” (you men are witnesses of my promise, and my brother Benjamin has heard me say it) ” ’for there are still five years of famine ahead of us. Otherwise you will come to utter poverty along with all your household.’ ” 12 13 Tell our father about all my power here in Egypt, and how everyone obeys me. And bring him to me quickly.” 14 Then, weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin and Benjamin began weeping too. 15 And he did the same with each of his brothers, who finally found their tongues!

Joseph forgave each of his brothers and they were reconciled. Next he would have to make sure that neither they, or their father Jacob, nor any of their loved ones would starve to death. Just reading about the possibility of dying from starvation doesn’t have the same impact on us than on someone who knows what it’s like to be hungry all the time. Folks such as you and me who live in a land of plenty can’t even begin to imagine the awful pangs of hunger. Deliberately starving their hostages is one of the favorite instruments of torture that is used by terrorists. Many starving people would rather be executed and get it over with than slowly starve to death. And, to think that our all loving God planned these events to occur raises the question of why. The following is another example of the workings of Divine Providence.

Although the tragedy happened almost forty years ago, I still remember my next door neighbor Charley Baumgarth telling my family about a terrible auto accident he and his wife witnessed. They were traveling on the highway on a beautiful summer afternoon when the car in front of them suddenly swerved off the road and crashed into a huge tree. A couple of seconds later, it burst into flames. The driver escaped by climbing out of a window, but the man was engulfed in flames. He ran all over the road screaming because of the pain. The horrified eyewitnesses heard the desperate man plead, “Shoot me! Shoot me! Oh somebody, please shoot me!” He would rather be dead than suffer another second of such excruciating agony.

I never learned the reason why the man suddenly swerved his car or why it burst into flames almost immediately after crashing into the tree. Nor do I know if he lived or died. I’m also unaware of the reason the Holy Spirit caused that terrible event to suddenly pop into my mind around two in the morning last Friday while I was asking God to continue helping me craft this sermon. The scene of that poor man impacted my next door neighbor, Charlie, and the other eyewitnesses, together with everyone they told it to. And, in one way or another it will have an effect on each of you folks and anyone you share it with. However, I do know that our all knowing Creator who is infinite in wisdom and has a love for all human beings which is so magnificent that we can’t even begin to comprehend the magnitude of it; will somehow bring glory to Himself through it, and all work it all out for the eventual good of His children.
It’s truly mind-boggling. You and I would profit greatly if we would develop the habit of visualizing our invisible Creator working behind the scenes directing each and every event in the course of human history.

In those passages of Scripture about Joseph and his brothers we see a magnificent example of what those ancient men believed would happen as a result of the evil things that each of them, of their own free will, chose to do, contrasted with what God back in eternity past, planned, ordained, and then by speaking the world into existence, predestined everything that must happen in the course of human history. The Great Apostle Paul explains in his first letter to the Ephesians the following amazing revelation:

Ephesians 1:9-12 (TLB) 9 God has told us his secret reason for sending Christ, a plan he decided on in mercy long ago; 10 and this was his purpose: that when the time is ripe he will gather us all together from wherever we are—in heaven or on earth—to be with him in Christ forever. 11 Moreover, because of what Christ has done, we have become gifts to God that he delights in, for as part of God’s sovereign plan we were chosen from the beginning to be his, and all things happen just as he decided long ago. 12 God’s purpose in this was that we should praise God and give glory to him for doing these mighty things for us, who were the first to trust in Christ.

There is a huge difference between the plans of men and the plans of God. For instance, the only thing Joseph seemed to be concerned about was to provide a nice safe place for his family to live during the remaining five years of famine. Then they could return to Canaan. Each of them, Joseph, Jacob and his sons were clueless of the fact that as soon as they were settled into what they believed was going to be their temporary home in Goshen, was actually the fulfillment of the covenant God had made with Jacob’s grandfather Abraham. God had promised to bring the Hebrews back into Egypt, a land in which they had been oppressed for four hundred years. An amazing prophecy was going to be fulfilled as soon as Jacob and his family crossed the border and entered into Egypt, and as I said a moment ago, those men were clueless of that fact.

Pharaoh and the rest of the inhabitants of Egypt were thrilled by the remarkable job Joseph had done of making sure that none of them would die of starvation during the seven years of famine which was caused by the drought that God ordained and Joseph had predicted. They were also unaware of the fact that everything that was occurring was evidence of the never-ending activity of divine providence. Let’s see how Joseph was going to get them into Egypt.

Genesis 45:16-28 (TLB) 16 The news soon reached Pharaoh—”Joseph’s brothers have come”; and Pharaoh was very happy to hear it, as were his officials. 17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers to load their pack animals and return quickly to their homes in Canaan, 18 and to bring your father and all of your families and come here to Egypt to live. Tell them, ’Pharaoh will assign to you the very best territory in the land of Egypt. You shall live off the fat of the land!’ 19 And tell your brothers to take wagons from Egypt to carry their wives and little ones, and to bring your father here. 20 Don’t worry about your property, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.”

21 So Joseph gave them wagons, as Pharaoh had commanded, and provisions for the journey, 22 and he gave each of them new clothes—but to Benjamin he gave five changes of clothes and three hundred pieces of silver! 23 He sent his father ten donkey-loads of the good things of Egypt, and ten donkeys loaded with grain and all kinds of other food, to eat on his journey. 24 So he sent his brothers off. “Don’t quarrel along the way!” was his parting shot! 25 And leaving, they returned to the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father. 26 “Joseph is alive,” they shouted to him. “And he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob’s heart was like a stone; he couldn’t take it in. 27 But when they had given him Joseph’s messages, and when he saw the wagons filled with food that Joseph had sent him, his spirit revived. 28 And he said, “It must be true! Joseph my son is alive! I will go and see him before I die.”

Genesis 46:1-7 (TLB) 1 So Israel set out with all his possessions, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices there to the God of his father, Isaac. 2 During the night God spoke to him in a vision. “Jacob! Jacob!” he called. “Yes?” Jacob answered. 3 “I am God,” the voice replied, “the God of your father. Don’t be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will see to it that you become a great nation there. 4 And I will go down with you into Egypt and I will bring your descendants back again; but you shall die in Egypt with Joseph at your side.” 5 So Jacob left Beer-sheba, and his sons brought him to Egypt, along with their little ones and their wives, in the wagons Pharaoh had provided for them. 6 They brought their livestock, too, and all their belongings accumulated in the land of Canaan, and came to Egypt—Jacob and all his children, 7 sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters—all his loved ones.

Joseph probably chose the region of Goshen to be their new home because it was a great place for their flocks and livestock to graze. It was also close to where he lived. It probably also lessened the likelihood of Jacob and his family being absorbed into Egyptian society such as he had been. In Goshen they would be able to retain their cultural and religious uniqueness. To help you get a better picture of Jacob’s reaction to all the good news I’ll contrast the Bible translation we’ve been using with the Amplified version. Here they are.

Genesis 45:26 (TLB) 26 “Joseph is alive,” they shouted to him. “And he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob’s heart was like a stone; he couldn’t take it in.

Genesis 45:26 (AMP) 26 And they said to him, Joseph is still alive! And he is governor over all the land of Egypt! And Jacob’s heart began to stop beating and [he almost] fainted, for he did not believe them.

Genesis 46:5-27 (TLB) 5 So Jacob left Beer-sheba, and his sons brought him to Egypt, along with their little ones and their wives, in the wagons Pharaoh had provided for them. 6 They brought their livestock, too, and all their belongings accumulated in the land of Canaan, and came to Egypt—Jacob and all his children, 7 sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters—all his loved ones.

Genesis 47:1-12 (TLB) 1 Upon their arrival, Joseph went in to see Pharaoh. “My father and my brothers are here from Canaan,” he reported, “with all their flocks and herds and possessions. They wish to settle in the land of Goshen.” 2 He took five of his brothers with him, and presented them to Pharaoh. 3 Pharaoh asked them, “What is your occupation?” And they replied, “We are shepherds like our ancestors. 4 We have come to live here in Egypt, for there is no pasture for our flocks in Canaan—the famine is very bitter there. We request permission to live in the land of Goshen.” 5 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Choose anywhere you like for them to live. Give them the best land of Egypt. The land of Goshen will be fine. And if any of them are capable, put them in charge of my flocks, too.” 6

7 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob to Pharaoh. And Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 “How old are you?” Pharaoh asked him. 9 Jacob replied, “I have lived 130 long, hard years, and I am not nearly as old as many of my ancestors.” 10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before he left. 11 So Joseph assigned the best land of Egypt—the land of Rameses—to his father and brothers, just as Pharaoh had commanded. 12 And Joseph furnished food to them in accordance with the number of their dependents.

Concerning Genesis 46:28-47:12, we learn from the ESV Study Bible notes that, “Joseph uses his God given administrative skills to ensure that his family settled safely in Egypt. Having previously decided that the land of Goshen would be the best location for them (see note on 45:10), through skillful preparation and diplomacy, Joseph ensures that Pharaoh confirms this choice of territory.” End of quote. Among his many God given abilities, Joseph had become a seasoned politician. He knew exactly what he had to accomplish first and then how to convincingly present his case to Pharaoh in order for Pharaoh to give Joseph everything he asked for. The ability achieve this goal was a gift God gave to Joseph..

*Jerry Parks explains: “All Christians have gifts. A gift of the Spirit glorifies God and others and may or may not be a talent. A talent generally edifies the user and others and does not depend on a gift. A gift works by love. A talent may or may not. God gives us individual talents and gifts to use in His service. God wants us to discover our gift and use it. As we offer our talents to God, he is able to perfect them into the spiritual service that brings satisfaction to us and glory to Him.

One day a little boy went with his mother to a concert hall where she warned him not to touch anything while she ran a brief errand. The boy looked on stage and saw a grand piano. Overwhelmed with curiosity, he sat down at the piano and began to play the only song he knew: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. As he continued to play, the Maestro entered. The great man quietly walked up behind the boy and whispered, “No matter what, keep playing what you’re playing.” The boy obediently continued to play as the Maestro reached around him, adding chords and tune with his right hand, and counter melody with his left. The people listening were amazed at the beauty of what they were hearing. When the performance was complete, they broke into spontaneous applause. Bewildered, the boy whispered to the Maestro: but it was only a simple piece.” “Yes”, said an onlooker overhearing the comment, “but in the hands of the Maestro, the humblest effort becomes a masterpiece.”

Like that small boy we must use our gifts and talents to the best of our ability. It is the accompaniment of the heavenly Maestro that transforms our humblest efforts into masterpieces. Our job is to do what we can with what we have. He does the rest. God gives all His children gifts. He does not give all His children the same gifts. God knows our abilities and desires and equips us accordingly. The variety of God’s gifts and their use in His service is much like a beautiful, multicolored garden of flowers-or a symphony of diverse instruments-through which God accomplishes His will through the Body of Christ. Every gift is as unique as it is necessary to make up the whole. To waste your gifts is to diminish the fellowship of all believers. To not use your gifts is like the butterfly-transformed from the lowly worm, yet choosing to fold its wings and crawl again.

As believers utilize their gifts and talents, God is glorified through the teaching of the Word, the administration of His churches, and the comfort of His children. While all Christians have spiritual gifts, all believers are not given the same gifts. God assigns His gifts according to His own purposes-not merely for the gifts themselves, but also for the one to whom such gifts are given. Sometimes our gifts are reveled to us early in life. Sometimes they’re not.”

Joseph was given the gift of interpreting dreams. He used his gift faithfully to interpret the dreams of the prisoners, as well as Pharaoh’s. God equipped Joseph with this gift knowing that Joseph would someday faithfully exercise it to save two nations. Joseph knew from his youth what his gift was, but Joseph learned only after many years the ultimate purpose in being given his gift. Like Joseph, we may not know exactly when we may be called upon to use our gifts, but God knows just when and where to put us so that our gifts and talents can be best utilized to His glory.

Proverbs 18:16 (NASB) 16 A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.

The main purpose of the gifts and talents given to us is primarily to benefit others, not just ourselves. Despite the many difficulties Joseph experienced in Egypt, God provided the precise opportunity to use his skills to serve others. Because he was not afraid to utilize his gift, Joseph-and all those he met-was blessed. We must trust that God will do the same for us, if only we are willing to utilize our gifts and talents as Joseph did. As we bless others through our gifts and talents, we lend color to the garden of God’s work upon the earth.”

As I explained at the beginning of today’s message, “This series of sermons about Joseph and his brothers and their father Jacob, has been providing us with awe- inspiring examples of the Providence of God working in and through each of their lives. Through the trials and tribulations of those ancient people, countless others such as you and me will continue to be blessed “Until The End of Time.”

*With Joseph In The University of Adversity, The Mizraim Principles, ©2004 by Terry L. Parks, PHD. iUniverse, 2021 Pine Lake Road, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE. 68512

Lord willing, next week ….