Now the famine was severe in the land. (Genesis 43:1)
Famine in the Promised Land...because the Messiah was in Egypt (Genesis 43:1)
And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.” (Genesis 43:2)
Hunger made Jacob take a step beyond his fear. Hunger makes you do what you normally would not do otherwise. Hunger made the patriarchs go to Egypt to see Joseph. Hunger will make you do things you would otherwise not do normally.
Jacob’s sons carried three gifts when they went to meet Joseph. What is the prophetic significance of those gifts?
And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!” (Genesis 43:11-14)
Three things the patriarchs took even as they went to meet Joseph.
1. The best fruit
2. Double Money - Double money speaks of integrity in finances.
3. And their brother - easy to cast out demons than walk with your brother or sister
Each of these things would prove that they were men of character.
It was not a question of their ability but of their character.
Not just fruit but the best fruit.
The fruit revealed the genuineness that they were coming from the land of Canaan.
In the same way, your fruit will show if you are earthly or heavenly. The fruit was not the fruit of Egypt but the fruit of Canaan land. By the fruit, Joseph would know that they were indeed from the land of Canaan.
Lord Jesus said, “You shall know them by their fruit” (Matthew 7:15-20)
By this, all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
The fruit of the land would be proof that they had indeed visited the land. In the same way, the fruit of the Spirit is the proof that we are heavenly and not earthly. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Double money speaks of integrity in finances.
The last time the brothers of Joseph had visited Egypt to buy grain, they found that the money was returned in their bags. Now Jacob advises his sons to take the money which was returned and the other money for the grain they wanted to buy - double money.
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.
When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, ‘You’d better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.’ Then he thought, ‘Oh, forget it, it’s only a quarter.
Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet.’
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, ‘Here, you gave me too much change.’ The driver, with a smile, replied, ‘Aren't you the new preacher in town?
I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship.
I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I’ll see you at church on Sunday.’ When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, ‘Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.’
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. So this is a really scary example of how people watch us as Christians and will put us to the test!
Sometimes it is easier to walk with God than walk with your brother.
If you can reach that place in God where you can walk peacefully with your own brother, you are a man of character. It was one thing for Jacob to send his son and another thing also for Benjamin to agree to go with them. He went trusting them.
What can we learn from the intercession of Judah?
The intercession of Judah saved Israel and his sons from famine and imminent death.
Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I myself will be surety for him; from my hand, you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. 10 For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.” (Genesis 43:8-10)
The intercession of Judah before Joseph revealed Joseph to his brothers (Genesis 44)
Intercession will reveal Christ Jesus.
An intercessor is willing to take the place of the person they are interceding for.
Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. (Genesis 44:33)
but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs (Genesis 43:34)
5 is the number of grace. The grace generation is the Benjamin generation.
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
- Chapter 27
- Chapter 28
- Chapter 29
- Chapter 30
- Chapter 31
- Chapter 32
- Chapter 33
- Chapter 34
- Chapter 35
- Chapter 36
- Chapter 37
- Chapter 38
- Chapter 39
- Chapter 40
- Chapter 41
- Chapter 42
- Chapter 43
- Chapter 44
- Chapter 45
- Chapter 46
- Chapter 47
- Chapter 48
- Chapter 49
- Chapter 50