Australia Day Long Weekend?

What did you do on the long weekend?  I was at the Engage Conference at Belgrave Heights Convention Centre with some 300 others.  We spent the weekend together in: 

• small groups (called strand groups where we learn how to engage, teach and handle the bible),
• practical workshops (electives to choose from), and
• hearing talks.   

Highly recommended to anyone who wants to learn how to read the bible properly (although they advertise it as a conference for leaders, it’s helpful even just for your own learning, or one-to-one bible reading, or who knows what you might just do in future). 

At the end of it, we had the opportunity to either write a talk or prepare a bible study outline and present it.  This is my 2nd year, which means I’m learning Biblical Theology.  I.e., the strand groups’ study materials are staged in 5 years:

1. New Testament 
2. Old Testament (Biblical Theology)
3. Systematic Theology
4. Christian Ethics
5. Teaching a book of the bible in a series

This year in strand 2, we’re doing Genesis 41 where Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, and here’s my talk. 

God’s Gracious Hand in Saving a World in Famine

Intro:

I don’t know about you, but when I first read this passage, I really felt for Joseph!  I mean, by this time, he’s been through a lot:

• Thrown into the pit,
• Sold by his own brothers,
• Taken away to a foreign land (Egypt),
• Sold again,
• Slandered by his boss’ aggressive wife,
• Put in prison,
• Forgotten! By the cup bearer..

Years of waiting and being faithful to God! 

Now, finally!  It IS about time for things to turn for the better, for him.

Body:

Pointer to Christ

That’s if, the story is about Joseph.  But this passage in fact isn’t ultimately about Joseph.  Rather, it foreshadows the complete fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise.  God promised Abraham that one of his descendants will save the world and all nations will be blessed through him.  This, we know refers to Jesus Christ, through whose life, death and resurrection we will be saved if we believe in him.  You see, Joseph is one of the great grandsons of Abraham, although he’s not the one who will fulfill the promise.  In fact, Jesus later came from the line of Judah (Joseph’s brother).  However, Joseph’s life story, in particular in this passage where the world is blessed who came to him, does give a hint and point to the complete fulfillment found in Jesus later.

Tracing God’s Hand

And we can see God’s gracious hand in the unfolding events as Joseph (being a man faithful to God) himself made clear when he said:

“It is not in me; God will give …” v. 16

“God has revealed …” v. 25

“.. the thing is fixed by God, and God will …” v. 32

Even if Joseph hasn’t given credit where it is due (i.e., to God), we’d still be able to see God’s hand working through all that happens:

• It has to be 2 full years, v. 1
• Pharaoh has those 2 particular dreams that trouble him, v. 5-8
• The cup bearer NOW remembers Joseph, v. 9
• Pharaoh sends for Joseph, v. 14
• God gives Joseph the right interpretation and solution, v. 25-36
• To which Pharaoh responds by setting Joseph in charge (instead of hardened as with the Pharaoh in Moses’ story years later), v. 40
• And of course, the 7 years of plenty and then famine are of God’s power over Egypt and the world.  v. 53-54

Joseph for physical famine VS Jesus for spiritual famine

So, they didn’t die starving, which is great.  But here’re some things for us to think about:

While they’re saved from that famine, there could and definitely had been many more famines in different parts of the world throughout the OT.  We as Christians today, though we have been saved, there is still sin, pain, and suffering.

But God’s gracious plan through Christ means that it won’t always remain so.  Rather, there is a future for us where:

“God .. will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, .. nor pain anymore,..”  Rev 21:3-4

Implications & Closing:

What does this mean to us?  Because of what God had done through Christ for us, we are able to set our eyes on that future and that gives us the resources to live today with:

1. Hope.  Not hope in this world (although he will help us even in this world, and certainly will walk with us through the trials in life).  But we don’t hope in this world, instead in the inheritance that’s been reserved for us, which – unlike anything even the best thing in life can offer – will never change, decay, it’s secure, forever.  In fact, the more and worse the trial we face, the more deeply we long for this hope.
2. Joy.. that our great and merciful God has set his eyes and heart on us, even when it will cost him his Son.  And it did.  Think about that, meditate on it until it warms and overwhelms your heart that you weep for joy for the undeserving deep and strong love he has for you. 

And when you’re filled with love and joy for him, it will not remain passive.  It will move you.  So lastly, it enables you to live today with..

3. Active love for the lost.  When you have experienced something of such beauty, how can you not call attention to it?  Think about your loved ones, family and friends, who are heading to destruction right this moment.  Think of the urgency of their situation.  In fact, not just your family and friends, but think also of that neighbour, classmate, colleague, anyone at all who doesn’t have Christ in their life. 

A few years ago I had a holiday in Switzerland with my family.  Never in my life had I seen such beautiful scenery and landscapes!  I think something would be very wrong with me if at that time, I chose to enjoy it silently and not tell anyone.  No, instead I shouted, “Mom, look!  Uncle, auntie, everyone!  Look!”  I think that should be the way with us, the gospel of Christ, and the world.

Therefore, because of the grace given to us through Christ, while we wait for the return of our king, let us live today and the remaining days of our lives with hope in Christ, joy in God, and active love for the lost. 

END