??It all happened so fast! One moment Joseph was a prisoner, the next, he was standing in Pharaoh’s court as the prince of Egypt! As the prince of Egypt, Joseph has worked wisely for the last 7 years to prepare Egypt for the coming famine. Do you remember what we said the word "famine" meant？It's a time when there is very little food. Now not only Egypt is entering the time of famine, but also all every country round about Egypt. The Bible says in Genesis 5l：57, And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands. And also in verse 52：6, the Bible says：And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land：Every person that wanted to buy corn must buy it from Joseph. One day ten men were standing together in the line of people waiting to buy corn. When Joseph saw them, he must have gasped in surprise! Joseph recognized the faces of his ten older brothers! Yes, it had been about 22 years since he had since them, but he still recognized each one! As they came closer and followed the custom of bowing down before the Egyptian ruler, they certainly did NOT recognize him!
??When they bowed down before Joseph, suddenly another shocking thing ran through Joseph's mind. He remembered the dreams! Do you remember the dreams Joseph had as a seventeen-year-old boy, dreams in which his brothers were bowing down to him？Right before his eyes, these dreams were coming true!
??The Bible says Joseph spoke roughly, harshly, to his brothers. Why？Remember how they had treated him？Perhaps because he was testing them to see if they had changed in their hearts. Joseph said, "From what place did you come, and why are you here？" They answered, "We’ve come from the land of Canaan to buy food." Joseph raised his voice, "You are spies! You have come to see how poor our land is!" The brothers all defended themselves, "No, sir, your servants have only come to buy food. We are all l0 brothers, sons of one man. We are telling you the truth, we are NOT spies!" Joseph insisted, "You are spies!" Oh how upset the brothers were! "Sir, " they said, "your servants are l2 brothers, the sons of one man in Canaan; and, the youngest brother is with our father, and one brother is dead. We are not spies!"
??They were so upset because, even though they were telling the truth, this man would not believe them! Do you ever get upset when you are telling the truth and your parents and your teachers don't believe you？But wait, did Joseph’s brothers always tell the truth？What terrible lies they had told about Joseph! Do you remember？Do you always tell the truth？No! And when we don't it's lying. And lying is sin, so is disobeying your parents, or pouting to get your way. And you know, sin should upset us more than anything, because all sin is against God. You know what sin is! Sin is anything we even think, say or do that breaks God's laws, and God says in Romans 3：l9 that all the world is guilty before God of breaking His laws! That should upset us more than anything, especially when we know what the punishment of sin is.
??If we refuse to receive the Lord Jesus as our Saviour from sin, then we must bear the everlasting punishment for sin. Do you remember what that is？It is forever being separated from God and His wonderful perfect Heaven. But you've heard me tell you how much God loves you and wants you to be in Heaven with Him some day. He created you and Heaven for that very plan, so you could enjoy and share in all that happiness and beauty and richness! Our holy and perfect God made a way for you to have your sins forgiven. God sent Jesus His perfect Son to be your Lamb, the Lamb who would die in your place. We know Jesus rose from the dead and is in Heaven now, ready to forgive your sin. If you have never done this, you can choose today to receive the Lord Jesus or reject Him. Rejecting Jesus means you must bear your own punishment for sin. That should upset you more than anything!
??Joseph's brothers were upset, not because of their sin but because this Egyptian ruler did not believe them. Finally Joseph said to them, "I will find out if you are telling the truth." Joseph took Simeon and bound him like a prisoner and put him in a prison house. To the other brothers he said, "You go home and take corn for your families. But the next time you come back, you had better have your younger brother with you, the one you told me you left at home. If you bring a younger brother, then I will know you are telling the truth and you will not die."
??All this time Joseph was speaking through an interpreter to his brothers. He spoke Egyptian, the brothers spoke Hebrew. They didn't think he could understand them, so they began to talk to each other in Hebrew right in front of Joseph. "Do you know why all this is happening to us？It's because of what we did to our brother Joseph years ago! Remember when we saw the anguish in his eyes as he begged us to have mercy on him, and we wouldn't listen？Now, look at what is happening to us!" Reuben the oldest brother added, "Yes, and didn't I tell you not to sin against the child, and you would not listen to me？Now God is judging us for our sin!"
??The brothers were realizing, their secret sin was not so secret! Even though their father still did not know the truth about what happened to Joseph, God knew! No one's secret sin is secret to God! God will judge every secret! And Joseph's brothers were realizing that right now!
??There stood that proud Egyptian ruler, acting as if he didn't understand. But suddenly, the Joseph who is hiding behind that proud Egyptian image, suddenly he was so touched by their words that he had to run out of the room. He found a private place where he could let the tears flow. He cried and cried. He had many reasons to cry, didn't he？. Soon he washed his face and returned and sent them back to Canaan.
??When the brothers arrived home, they told the long and strange story to their father. Then to add to their distress they each opened their sacks of corn they had bought in Egypt, "Oh, no" they discovered their money was put back in their sacks. "We are surely in more trouble than ever!" At first, old Jacob was not going to allow Benjamin to go back with them to Egypt, even though Simeon's freedom depended on Benjamin being brought. Let's read from Gen. 52：38 what old Jacob said："My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead..."
??Poor old Jacob! He had grieved all these years for Joseph, believing that he was dead. believing the wicked lie his sons had told him. Those sons had to see their father's grief every day and be reminded of their secret sin. You can be sure the sons of Jacob lost many happy hours because of their secret sin! Even though Jacob was grieving and did not think he could give up his son, finally, all that corn ran out. Everyone began to be hungry. And Jacob relented. He said：take a present to this Egyptian ruler. And may be his heart will be softened. The brothers took a present of honey, spices, nuts, and precious ointment called myrrh. They took double money for their corn.
??Joseph saw Benjamin in the crowd of brothers as they came before him. He turned to the ruler of his house and said, "Take these men to my house. Fix a really good meal. They are going to have lunch with me." Joseph's brothers were uneasy and confused. Knowing how harshly they had been treated before, they were not sure what this ruler was planning to do. Even though he was inviting them to lunch. When they saw Joseph's steward, they explained to him about finding money in their sacks. "Oh, " he said kindly, "I had your money. It must have been that God put treasure in your sacks!" He didn't tell them that Joseph had ordered him to put their money back in their sacks! The brothers brought their present to the Egyptian ruler, who seemed to be in a very kind and generous mood. When Joseph looked at Benjamin again, he had to suddenly leave the room again. He went to his bedroom and there he cried again. How dearly he loved his family! How deeply he had been hurt! Then Joseph quickly washed his face, put on his dignified expression, and returned to the dining room. Simeon had been brought out of the prison house to the other brothers, and how surprised they all were to see that they had assigned seating according to their birth order. They didn't know anyone in Egypt. How could anyone in Egypt know them, to place them in exactly the order of their age, all eleven of them？??Things seem to go very well at lunch, and the brothers began to relax. Maybe now this strange-acting Egyptian ruler really trusted them. They got their sacks of corn, paid for them, and early the next morning, they were leaving to return to their father in Canaan. All eleven brothers were together again, and everything was peaceful. Until! They had not gone far from Egypt when suddenly, they heard shouts and hoof beats behind them! "Stop! Thieves!" The brothers stopped and turned to see Joseph's steward angrily coming toward them. "Why have you rewarded evil for good？Why did you steal my master's silver cup？" You can imagine how upset these brothers were! "What are you saying？God forbid that we should do such a thing! Don't you see that we were honest enough to return our money to you that we found in our sacks？How can you dare accuse us of stealing your ruler's silver or gold？Here, check everyone's sack and if you find that silver cup in one of our sacks, then that person will die and the rest of us will be your servants. "Very well, "the steward said, "Only whoever has stolen the cup shall be the servant."
??Oh, The Bible says in Genesis 55：ll, Then they speedily took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. Verse twelve says, and he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest：and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. The brothers gasped in horrified silence! Not Benjamin! They knew Benjamin have not stolen that cup, but how would they ever be able to convince that suspicious Egyptian ruler! And their old father, what, he would grieve himself to death if anything happened to Benjamin. They were so horrified that they ripped their coats. This was something people did in those days to show how terribly upset they were. They all climbed back on their donkeys and started back to Egypt. Oh, boys and girls, what will happen to Benjamin？What will happen to these poor miserable brothers!
??这一切发生的是那样地快！刚才约瑟还是一名囚犯，现在，他站在法老的王宫里成了埃及的王子。作为埃及的王子，在过去的七年内，约瑟聪明地准备埃及迎接将要到来的荒年。你还记得荒年是什么意思吗？就是在那个时候没有东西可吃。现在不但埃及，甚至所有埃及附近的地方也都进入了荒年。圣经创世记第41章57节说，各地的人都往埃及去，到约瑟那里买粮，因为天下的饥荒甚大。 第42章6节又说，当时治理埃及地的是约瑟，买粮给那地众民的就是他。每一个想买粮的人都要从约瑟那里买粮有一天，有十个人站在排队买粮的行列里。约瑟看见他们的时候，吃了一惊！约瑟认出他们是他的十个哥哥。他上一次看见他们是22年以前，他仍然能够认得他们每一个人！
??约瑟的哥哥们走上来，按照习惯，脸伏于地，向埃及的统治者下拜，他们当然没有认出他！当他们在约瑟面前下拜的时候，约瑟突然想起从前所做的那两个梦！你还记得约瑟17时所做的梦吗？就是他的哥哥们在他面前下拜。现在就在他的眼前，这些梦成为了现实！圣经说约瑟向他的哥哥们说话很严厉。为什么呢？还记得他们以前是怎么对待他的吗？也许他要看看他们的心变得好一点没有。约瑟 问他们说：“你们从哪里来？在这儿作什么？ 他们说：“我们从迦南地来买粮。” 约瑟 提高声音说：“你们是奸细，来窥探这地的虚实。”他们赶紧对他说：“我主啊，不是的，
??仆人们是买粮来的。我们是十个兄弟，我们都是一个人的儿子，是诚实人；仆人们并不是奸细。”约瑟坚持说：“不然，你们必是奸细。”约瑟的哥哥们觉得好难过。他们说：“仆人们本是弟兄十二人，是迦南地一个人的儿子，顶小的现今在我们的父亲那里，有一个没有了，仆人们并不是细。”
??约瑟的哥哥们心里很难过，虽然他们讲的是实话，可是眼前的这个人却不相信他们！你有没有经历过这样的事呢？你明明说的是真话，可是父母或老师却不相信你。你会不会心里很难过？等一等，是不是 约瑟的哥哥们总是讲实话呢？??还记得吗？在约瑟的事情上，他们编了一个多大的谎话啊！那么你有没有总是讲实话呢？没有吧！当我们没有讲实话的时候就是说谎。说谎就是罪，不听父母的话也是罪，甚至赌气闹别扭。罪比其它的事情更能够使我们心里烦乱，因为罪是得罪神的。你知道甚么是罪！罪就是一切违反了神的律法的事，包括我们所作的，所说的，甚至是所想的。神在罗马书第3章19节说：普世都伏在神的审判之下。这要比其它的事情更能够使我们心里烦乱，特别是当我们知道罪的惩罚是什么。如果我们拒绝接受主耶稣基督作我们的救主，那我们自己必须承担对罪的永远的惩罚。你还记得那是什么吗？就是与神和他那美丽的天堂永远的分离。但是你已经听见我告诉你神多么爱你，他要让你有一天能够在天上与他永远在一起。为了这个计划，他创造了你，也创造了天堂，使你可以享受并分享那里的快乐，美丽和丰富！我们圣洁完美的神神有一个计划，让你的罪可以得到赦免。神把他完美的儿子送到地上来，成为你的羔羊，站在你的地位上为你受死。我们知道耶稣从死里复活了，现在就在天上活着，随时准备来原谅你的罪。如果你从来没有作过，今天你可以选择来接受主耶稣或者拒绝他。拒绝主耶稣就意味着自己必须承担对罪的惩罚。这要比其它的事情更能够使我们心里烦乱。
??约瑟的哥哥们心里很难过，不是因为他们的罪，而是因为这个埃及的统治者不相信他们。最后，约瑟对他们说：“我会知道你们是不是诚实人。”约瑟把西缅扣下，绑起来，下在监里。他对其他的哥哥们说：你们带粮食回家吧。下一次来的时候，把你们的小兄弟一起带来，就是你们留在家里的那一个。如果把你们把小兄弟带来，我就知道你们是诚实人，你们就不会死。”
??约瑟一直通过翻译与他的哥哥们讲话。约瑟说埃及的语言，他的哥哥们讲希伯来语。他们不知道约瑟听得出来，所以他们开始在约瑟面前讲希伯来语。他们彼此说：“这些事情发生在我们身上，是因为许多年前我们在我们的兄弟约瑟身上实在有罪！记得他眼中的愤恨，他哀求我们的时候，我们却不肯听。看，现在这场苦难临到我们身上。”流便是最大的，他说：“我岂不是对你们说过，不可伤害那孩子吗？只是你们不肯听，所以现在神因为我们的罪审判我。”约瑟的哥哥们认识到他们暗地里犯的罪根本不是秘密。虽然他们的父亲并不知道事情的真相，神知道！在神的面前，没有隐藏的罪！
??神要审判每一个隐秘。约瑟的哥哥们终于认识到这一点！那个看似骄傲的埃及统治者站在那里，好像他听不懂。突然，那个藏在埃及统治者身份后面的约瑟被这些话打动，转身跑出屋子。他找到一个没有人的地方大哭。他哭有许许多多的原因，是不是？很快，他洗了脸回来，让他们回迦南地去了。他们回到家的时候，将所遭遇的奇怪事告诉他们的父亲雅各。后来他们倒口袋，不料，各人的银包都在口袋里；他们和父亲看见银包就都害怕。 他们彼此说， “我们一定会有更大的麻烦了！。”
??虽然这时西缅还被关在监狱里， 老雅各不打算让便雅悯和他的哥哥们再去埃及。让我们一齐读创世纪42章38节：雅各说：“我的儿子不可与你们一同下去！他哥哥死了，只剩下他，他若在你们所行的路上遭害，那便是你们使我白发苍苍、悲悲惨惨地下阴间去了。”可怜的雅各！这些他一直为约瑟伤心，因为他以为约瑟死了，因为他相信了他的儿子们的谎言。而他的儿子们也是每天因为看到他们父亲的伤痛，就常常想起他们的罪。我们可以相信因为雅各儿子们隐藏的罪，他们失去了很多的快乐。虽然雅各很伤心，而且不愿意再失去一个儿子，但是最后他们的食物用尽了。每一个人都开始饿肚子。
??雅各后悔了，他说：你们带一些礼物去见埃及的长官，希望他会心软，就给我们食物。众弟兄们就带上蜜糖，香料，干果和非常珍贵的没药，而且他们带了双份的钱去换食物。当约瑟看见便亚悯被他的弟兄们带来了，他就转身对他的仆人说：你把这些人带到我的家里，准备好宴席，我要和他们一起吃饭。约瑟的弟兄们记得以前他们得到的待遇是这么糟，就感到又惊奇又不安，因为他们不知道这位长官要怎样对他们。
??当他们看见约瑟的管家，他们就向他解释上一次他们在他们的袋子里发现他们买粮的钱。管家和气的回答说：“我已经收了你们的钱，一定是神把财宝放在你们的袋子里。”他没有告诉他们其实是约瑟叫他把他们的钱放在他们的袋子里。约瑟的弟兄们把他们的礼物拿给埃及的长官，这个长官看起来非常和善。
??当约瑟再一次看见便亚悯，他突然再一次离开了房间，到他的卧房里哭了起来。约瑟真的非常爱他的家人！约瑟也曾被他的家人深深的伤害过。然后，约瑟很快的洗了脸，表现出高贵严肃的样子，回到他的弟兄们中间。这时候西缅也已经从监狱里被带到他的弟兄当中。另他们非常惊讶的是，他们每一个人所坐的次序都是按照他们年龄大小排的。他们在埃及一个人都不认识，怎么会有人知道他们的岁数，排出这样一个不差的次序呢？吃完饭以后，约瑟的弟兄们都松了口气，他们认为或许这个奇怪的埃及长官已经信任他们了。他们各自拿了一袋粮食，交了钱。然后第二天一早，他们就出发回迦南他们的父亲那里。所有的十一个兄弟都在一起，一切都显得很平顺。他们刚离开埃及还没有多远，忽然听到后面传来马蹄声和人声喊着说：别跑，你们这些贼！约瑟的弟兄们停下来，看见约瑟的管家生气的向他们走过来，说：“你们为什么以恶报善呢？你们为什么偷我主人的银杯呢？”你可以想象的出来约瑟的弟兄们有多生气！“你在说什么？如果我们作了这样的事，愿神惩罚我们。
??难道你没有看见我们有多诚实？我们甚至把上一次在袋子里找到的钱都带来还给你们。你怎么敢指责我们偷了你主人的金银呢？来，你来检察每一个人的口袋。看你能不能找到那银杯子。如果你找到了，你可以处死那人，而我们其余的人都作你的仆人。”“说得好！”约瑟的管家回答。“只需要那个偷了银杯的人作仆人。”
??圣经在创世纪44章11-12节说：于是他们各人急忙把口袋卸在地下，各人打开口袋。管家就搜查，从年长的起，到年幼的为止，那杯竟在便雅悯的口袋里搜出来。约瑟的弟兄们害怕的说不出话来。虽然他们知道便雅悯没有偷那银杯，但是他们没有办法说服那个多疑的埃及官。他们的老父亲一定会伤心死的。他们每个人都害怕的撕裂了自己的衣服。那个时候的人用这样的方式来表示他们有多么难过。他们骑上驴子，回埃及去。小朋友们，便雅悯会怎么样呢？约瑟那些可怜的弟兄们又会怎么样呢？我们下次再讲。 |