Missing Opportunities
13 February 2022 – Genesis 47 – Gen2022 – Scott Childs
Introduction: Joseph told Pharaoh all about his family arriving. He then took five of his brothers in to talk with Pharaoh. They politely told him that they were his servants and that they worked as shepherds (v.3). They then asked him to allow them to sojourn (live temporarily) in Goshen (v.4). Pharaoh granted their request (v.5-6). Joseph then took Jacob, his father, in to see Pharaoh (v.7-10). Verses 11-26 summarise how the people of Egypt bought food with their money (v.11-12), then with their cattle (v.13-17), and finally with their land and their bodies (v.18-26). They sold themselves into slavery to save their lives.
Israel (Jacob) dwelt in the land of Egypt 17 years, and God blessed him and his family (v.27-28). As he neared death, he made Joseph promise to bury him in Canaan with his family (v.29-31).
Transition: This evening, I want us to focus on four verses in this chapter that addresses common sins with which we struggle. These sins rob us of joy. They cause tension in our homes. They also cause us to miss opportunities to share Christ with others and to glorify the Lord. Our focus will be on verses 7-10.
Joseph brought his father Jacob into the palace and stood him before Pharaoh (v.7). Jacob blessed or kneeled before Pharaoh. Then, Pharaoh ask Jacob a question that gave him a prime opportunity to speak to this mighty king in person (v.8). Instead of using that special opportunity to testify for the Lord his God, Jacob blew it.
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Jacob grumbled instead of praising (v.9)