Joseph a Type of Grace
INTRODUCTORY WORDS
1. Grace defined. There is a verse in Romans which reads: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." There is a verse in Revelation which reads, "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins." Both of these Scriptures display God's love toward us while we were yet in sin, and utterly unworthy of His love. That is grace, Grace is Mercy to the unmerciful, Love to the unlovely.
In Deuteronomy it is written, "The Lord did not set His love upon you, * * because ye were more in number than any people; * * but because the Lord loved you."
2. Grace inexplicable. Not one of us can explain the grace of God. This is particularly true when we remember the pit out of which we were digged. When we sit in reverie, thinking of how salvation came to us, we are amazed and filled with wonder. We were sinners worthy only of death, yet He came forth from the Father and died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. There was no compelling force which nailed Christ to the Tree save that of His love. He died because He chose to die. He had the power to lay His life down, and He had power to take it again. All this He did willingly. As a sheep before the shearers He was dumb, as a lamb being led to the slaughter, He opened not His mouth.
Who can explain the "Father forgive them," which Christ prayed as He hung upon the Cross, or, who can explain the "To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise," which He spoke to the malefactor? No more can we explain God's grace to us, which took our feet out of the miry clay, and set them on the Rock.
3. Grace all abounding. If grace cannot be explained, neither can it be measured. It is so full and so free in its benefactions that it goes beyond even the bounds of human comprehension.
4. Grace loves on. Grace is too big and too lasting to be confined to the few days of our earthly sojourn. Grace first touched us while we were yet sinners, Grace still enfoldeth us as we move along our Christian pathway. Grace will follow us into that great eternal Home beyond these earthly scenes.
There is a wonderful verse in Ephesians 2:7. Here it is: "That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Thus grace will ever be unveiling its matchless charms through the ever budding aeons of eternity. It will never cease to bring us some new marvels and benefactions of God's undying love.
When rivers cease their course to run,
And seas are dry;
When never more shall shine the sun,
To light thy sky;
When mountains all have turned to dust,
And rocks are gone;
When gold and silver turn to rust,
He still loves on,
I. GRACE AS EXEMPLIFIED IN A DINNER (Genesis 43:16)
1. A gracious invitation. When Joseph saw his brethren and Benjamin with them, he said: "Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon." Even so we hear the Lord speaking the parable of a great supper, and of a great invitation. "Come; for all things are now ready." Many began to say, "I pray thee have me excused." The lord of the feast, however, sent his servants out into the byways and hedges saying, "Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."
With what strange thrills did the sons of Jacob hear this call to eat with the great man of Egypt. Yes, and with what misgivings and marvelings! They could not grasp why the ruler in Egypt should ask them to eat at his table.
No more can we understand why the Lord of Glory asks us to sup with Him. Yet it is even so. Unworthy though we be, yet we are invited. Sinful though we be, yet we may eat at His feast.
2. A gracious combination. Study this picture. Joseph welcoming his brethren and sitting at meat with his would-be slayers. He was preparing to eat with the men who cast him into the pit; with the men who sold him to the Ishmaelites; with the men who had brought upon him those months of anguish in the prison in Egypt.
Such, however, is the grace of God in Christ Jesus. The scribes and the Pharisees said of Him, "This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." That is just what He did; and it is just what He still does. He eats with you and with me.
What is the result of this wonderful grace toward me? It is this, I love Him.
II. AFRAID OF UNMERITED GRACE (Genesis 43:18)
1. Joseph was overkind, and his brethren were over-afraid. They had many misgivings. As yet they knew not Joseph. Yet they, who were never accustomed to act with such a magnanimous spirit, felt that the stranger, who was ruler of Egypt, was, through his goodness, in fact but seeking their ruin.
Thus they told the steward of Joseph's house how they had each one found his money in the mouths of their several sacks, and that they had come back with that money, and also with additional money, with which to buy more corn.
The brethren, among themselves, said, Egypt's ruler is trying to "seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen."
Have we ever known God's grace to be feared? Have we ever known wicked men to imagine that God was against them, and seeking to destroy them? Even so. Strange as it may seem, the ungodly, as a rule, have a very warped idea of God's goodness and mercy.
They even go so far as to condemn God for all the sickness, all the sorrow, all the wants that befall them. The God of all grace is held responsible for all that Satan does against the sinner. He is blamed for all the trouble that they themselves, through their sins, bring upon themselves.
2. The brethren were trying by right living to justify their past evil acts and deeds. Yes, they did bring back the money they found in their sacks. They did make good explanations. We wonder if they thought that this would restore them to favor with the one whom they had years ago treated so wrongfully? We do know that many unsaved of today, in approaching the Lord Jesus, try to come with gifts, or with so-called good works, or with something in their hands to supposedly assist them in getting saved. That is wrong.
III. GRACE THE REALM OF PERFECT PEACE (Genesis 43:26)
1. The sons of Jacob had been standing on the foundation of justice. They were saying, "We have done this, and we have done that." They little realized that if they had received for all they had done, justice would have been their undoing. The mountain of Sinai, the mount of justice, reels under the throes of God's judgments. Let no one ever come to God on such a basis, lest he come to dismay.
2. Joseph's steward quickly placed them on the foundation of grace. He said, "Fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks." The gift of God is Scripturally called, "the free gift." That is because salvation lies in the regions of grace. It is "the grace of God, and the gift by grace" which hath abounded unto us in Christ Jesus.
The gift is again, Scripturally, joined with grace, for it is written: "Much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness." So it is today, as it was with Joseph's brethren, "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."
3. Grace is the harbinger of peace. Joseph's steward said to them that the money in their sacks was the gift of God. He also said, "Peace be to you, fear not." Thus also is written, "Being justified by faith, we have peace."
Why should his brethren fear, when Joseph (the ruler) was dealing with them not on the basis of their worth, or worthiness, but by grace? Why should they stand in jeopardy? Why should they fear? They had peace, why not enjoy it?
Others may be like the sea when it cannot rest; but to us Christ says, "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Even though these men were about to be ushered into the presence of Joseph, they could come before him in confidence, even as it is written: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
IV. THE BESTOWALS OF GRACE (Genesis 43:24-25)
1. The man gave them water. It reads so like the New Testament where the Lord Jesus took a basin, and girding Himself with a towel, He began to wash His disciples' feet. The difference is that in Genesis the men washed their own feet.
In Genesis they were about to enter into Joseph's presence; in the upper room they were about to enter into service for the Lord in a new way.
Thank God that grace provides for the washing of the feet. And, "He that is washed needed not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit." The "feet" stand for service. The "feet" stand for the walk of the believer. To walk in Christ's way, the feet must be clean. Grace not only ushers us into the presence of the Lord, but it washes us from every defilement, that we may go forth to work His will.
In another chapter we read of the vessels in a great house. "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use."
"Who shall ascend into the Hill of the Lord? * * He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart." "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord." Thus, whether for fellowship in the Master's presence, or in service for His name, we must be washed.
V. GRACE QUESTIONING (Genesis 43:26-28)
1. The deep concern in the heart of Joseph. And Joseph said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom ye spake? Is he yet alive?"
Does it appear strange to you that Joseph, after the many years of absence from his father and his home, should be so concerned as to his welfare? Well, Joseph did care, and he cared greatly.
Our Lord Jesus has gone beyond this pale of earthly suffering. He is now exalted at the Father's right hand; even as Joseph was exalted to Pharaoh's right hand. After the years, and the exaltation, does Jesus care?
2. The sons of Jacob answering. It is striking to see them draw near to Joseph, and to behold them bowing themselves down, and making obeisance. This they did in fulfillment of Joseph's dreams of yore. It was grace the graciousness of Joseph that caused them to prostrate themselves before him. Shall we not, in a like manner, draw nigh to God, and to the throne of His grace, and bend the head and knee? It is thus that we will obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.
Bend the knee, and prostrate fall,
Christ now reigneth over all;
Let the people on Him call,
He died for thee.
VI. GRACE YEARNING (Genesis 43:30-31)
1. The deep throbbings of Joseph's affections. It was not the stalwart ten sons of Jacob who alone drew upon Joseph's spirit; it was the youngest brother, Benjamin. Somehow this lad had a strong appeal to Joseph. He took him near to himself, and said, "God be gracious unto thee, my son." Even so the Lord gathered the children in His arms and blessed them, saying, "Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
"And Joseph made haste; * * and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there."
The compassionate Joseph bespeaks of the compassionate Christ. "Jesus wept." The Lord was no cold-hearted, formal preacher of righteousness, who withdrew Himself from the deep need of the populace. Nay, He was moved with compassion when He saw their sickness and their grief.
The Lord could weep with those who wept. He wept at the grave of Lazarus; He wept over the city of Jerusalem. The fact that they knew Him not did not change His tears to censure. He wept, saying, "How often would I have gathered thy children together." His heart still cares for us, and also for the millions who are dying as rejecters of His grace.
2. A heart that can weep, can love. How deep was Joseph's love for his own? Just as deep as were his tears. There is Another's love that we may well measure by His tears and tender compassions. When Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus, the Jews said, "Behold how He loved him!"
Yes, Christ did love Lazarus, and He loves you and me.
Mark you this: The heart that loves, wants to be loved. Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?" Even now He asks as much of thee.
"O my Friend, teach me to be Thine."
VII. GRACE FEASTING (Genesis 43:32-34)
1. They set on bread. Eating around the same table represents a "favored fellowship." What a scene! The men who had stood against Joseph, now are seated with him in his home, eating with him of his bounty.
It will do well to study, just here, the word of Ephesians 2:1-22 : Ye were "the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, * * hath * * made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Then come the significant words: "For by grace are ye saved."
Truly Joseph had abolished the enmity. He had broken down the middle wall of partition that was between them, so making peace.
Is any statement of Scripture from God more precious than this: "We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him"? Yes, our Lord does say, "I will sup with you, and ye with Me." How wonderful it will be in the Father's Kingdom, when Christ will fulfill His words relative to the eating again of the bread, and the drinking of the cup. "I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom."
2. They drank and were merry with him. Perhaps we give too little attention to fellowshiping with our Lord. We imagine in some vague way, perhaps, that our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ; and yet we know but little of a real and vital present-hour walking and talking with Him. If God has called us into fellowship with His Son, shall we dwell afar from Him? How plaintive is the voice of the Lord to Ephesus: "Thou hast left thy first love." Let our heart's experience be clothed in one word "together."
"Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved." Let us so lean, and leaning, cling to Him.
AN ILLUSTRATION
Joseph's grace gave his father and brethren sufficient for the journey, as well as his love.
"A Christian merchant in Liverpool was talking with another business gentleman who appeared to be anxious about his soul. The Christian was speaking of the finished work of Christ (John 19:30) what it was, and what it did for the sinner. Telling him that God in virtue of the work of the Lord pardoned a sinner so completely that there was not a single charge of sin left against him, he queried, 'Isn't that enough?' 'No,' said the other man, 'it is not enough.' 'If I were to fail in business, and could not pay, my creditors might take pity on me, put their heads together, and give me a free and full discharge, would that not be sufficient?' said the Christian. 'No,' said the other; 'I would want cash to go on with.' The Christian pointed out that that was precisely what Christ did. He not only frees the. sinner from the guilt of his sin, but He lives to save him from the power of sin day by day (Hebrews 7:25), puts the Holy Spirit into his heart, the Word of God into his hand, and guarantees that he will go on safely to the end (John 6:39).