Exposition of the Book of Genesis. The Stage is Set June 20, 2012 Text: Genesis 48-50

Transcription

1 Exposition of the Book of Genesis The Stage is Set June 20, 2012 Text: Genesis 48-50

2 Tonight in Genesis we will see the culmination of God working in and through Joseph to create a great nation.

3 God providentially took a narcissistic young man, shepherded him through various trials and tribulations, and subsequently fulfilled the promise He made to Abraham.

4 The Message God guides our feet and directs our paths in order to accomplish His plan and purpose.

5 In Genesis 48 Jacob has come to the end of his life. He has carried the torch of God s covenant for 147 years. He has committed many sins and has not always honored God, however, Jacob is an example of a man who finishes well.

6 In this passage we will see that before he dies Jacob he is determined to pass the torch on to those who would follow. This must be our goal as well.

7 Key Lesson God cares about every aspect of our lives, but there is no substitute for finishing well.

8 Jacob s Legacy As Jacob prepared to die, he appears to have learned the value of pouring his life into those around him. (48:1-2)

9 Preparation for Death Jacob recalled God s promises and acknowledged that only an almighty God could make such promises and then fulfill them. (48:3-12)

10 Jacob s Blessing After adopting his grandsons, the patriarch pronounced a blessing on their lives. (48:13-20)

11 Question Why would God consistently choose the younger son over the older son?

12 Answer God wants to emphasize that He is sovereign in His choices. (Rom. 9:11-12)

13 Answer God wants to emphasize that He has mercy upon whom He will have mercy. (Rom. 9:15-16)

14 Answer God wants to emphasize that when He acts, His purpose is to glorify Himself. (1 Cor. 1:27-29)

15 Jacob s Gift As affirmation of his confidence that God would indeed bring his family back to Canaan, Jacob gives Joseph an extra gift of land. (48:21-22)

16 Genesis 49 provides a sobering wakeup call that should cause us to contemplate both our present and future lives.

17 In the first 28 verses of this chapter, we are able to look on as Jacob gives his last words to his 12 sons. All 12 of Jacob s sons, regardless of their faithfulness, have a future with God and are blessed by God.

18 But, only the faithful sons will have an inheritance in the land. The lesson is clear: The actions of believers determine their future blessings in God s program.

19 It is also true that the choices believers make today will affect their descendants for generations to come.

20 Jacob Gathers His Sons because he is about to give what amounts to his last will and testament. (49:1-2)

21 Life Lesson The choices that we make in life can have an enduring effect on those we leave behind.

22 Jacob Disinherits His Three Oldest Sons because they had been unfaithful, proving that our actions affect our future blessings (49:3-7)

23 The seven other sons are rewarded with increased responsibilities. (49:13-21;27)

24 This is consistent with Jesus New Testament message in Matthew 25:14-30.

25 The two most faithful sons are given even greater responsibility. (49:8-12;22-26)

26 Life Lesson In the Christian life, the reward for faithfulness is not more bliss but more responsibility.

27 Jacob s Final Request Jacob requested of his sons that he be buried in Canaan. When they agreed, he died in peace. (49:29-33)

28 Life Lesson When you establish the right priorities in your life, death becomes a blessing to be anticipated instead of a horror to be disdained.

29 A Fitting Funeral As might be expected Joseph mourns his father and oversees the preparation of his body for what amounts to a state funeral. (50:1-14)

30 Life Lesson When you live your life in such a way as to honor God, your funeral will take care of itself.

31 Joseph s Brothers Worry Joseph assures his brothers that they had nothing to fear from him (50:15-21)

32 Life Lesson When you comprehend the enormity of God s grace in your own life, you have no difficulty showing mercy to others.

33 Joseph Dies God blessed Joseph with a rich full life. In anticipation of his death, he requested that his bones be carried to Canaan when Israel left Egypt. (50:22-26)

34 Life Lesson When you walk by faith and not by sight, you can speak of the things that are unseen as if they have already been brought to pass.