Text: Genesis 44

Joseph sets up the brothers so that Benjamin will be forced to stay with him in Egypt. He has his servants hide a royal cup in Benjamin’s luggage. In the morning, the brothers are sent back to Canaan. Unbeknownst to them, Benjamin has a royal cup in his sack. Joseph then sends some servants to stop the brothers and have them searched and accused of theft. When Joseph’s royal guard identifies the cup, the brothers are terrified. Joseph orders Benjamin to stay in Egypt because the cup was found in his bag. But Jacob will die if the brothers come home without Benjamin. This is when Judah steps up and offers his life a ransom. Judah must now make good on his promise to be surety for Benjamin. He must offer himself in place of Benjamin.

Responsibility

Judah takes responsibility for sin that isn’t his (vss 14-17)

Now, it’s true that Benjamin didn’t steal any cup from Joseph. But Judah doesn’t know all that. All Judah knows is the cup was found with Benjamin. For Judah to offer himself for Benjamin’s supposed sin is his propitiation.

The one that takes responsibility is the leader; this is what God defines as leadership.

Remember David? David asks why no one is dealing with Goliath. God says there’s a leader.

In Judah is found the kind of leadership that is like Christ.

Ransom

Judah explains the predicament that if they return without Benjamin, Jacob will die a miserable man.

Joseph is caught between a rock and a hard place. He wants Benjamin to stay with him, but he doesn’t want his dad to be troubled thinking Benjamin is dead. When this exchange happens, Joseph will not be able to refrain himself anymore and he’ll reveal who he is to his brothers.

Yet in this exchange is the character of Christ found in Judah. He offers himself a ransom for Benjamin. Look at verses 33-34.

Royalty

Judah will now carry the seed of the Messiah

Genesis 49:8-12 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 11 Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: 12 His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk.

Why not the Lion from the tribe of Joseph? The simple reason is Joseph is #11 in line. Judah is the fourth born son, and since Reuben, Levi, and Simeon have been disqualified, Judah is the next brother in line to carry the seed.

Judah takes responsibility for sin that isn’t his. He offers himself a ransom. And for this, he is made royalty.

Philippians 2:5-11

Text: Hebrews 13:5-6

Conversation with covetousness

You can be occupied with what God has done for you or you can be occupied with what you don’t have and what someone else has.

Covetousness is denying the Lord (13:5)

Occupied with things you don’t have

Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

Millions of people will sit on their couch, in a/c, running water, transportation, fridge with food, good plumbing, while a digital window tells them 24 hours a day about things they don’t have but need. Every 3 minutes you’re told about something you don’t have but will make your life better. Then you watch a TV show with people who look better than you, have more money than you, fornicate, murder, cuss, with other people who look better than you and have more money than you.

We sit in front of screens all day and have become the most covetous generation this nation has ever had.

Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Then you listen to a sermon an hour or two a week trying to convince people inflamed in covetousness that Jesus Christ is the answer and the Bible is your meat and serving God is where joy is.

Inability to make good judgment

Exodus 18:21-22 in order to make good judgment you can’t be covetous.

If you want stuff, you’ll set aside judgment in order to get more or not lose what you have.

Listen to God’s word, but won’t practice any of it

Ezekiel 33:30-33

People leave saying that was a good sermon about missions. The preacher says we’re going to be taking up an offering for this missionary, and the same people who said that was a good sermon on missions say they don’t have the money to give.

Measure spirituality and blessings by stuff and possessions

1 Timothy 6:3-5

This is a theology of covetousness. It is literally a prosperity gospel.

Psalm 10:3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

People with regrets are covetous people.

Coveting what you don’t have leads to a multitude of bad options.

Theft, adultery (you want someone’s wife or husband), crippling debt, bitterness toward God, bitterness toward someone else.

1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Not that they are rich or are poor, but they that WILL BE rich FALL…

Spiritually barren people are covetous people.

Proverbs 28:16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. Short life. And feel like days run altogether, like you never catch up, never get ahead.

Covetous people are discontent people

That is the definition of discontentment, covetousness.

Covetousness can’t be satisfied by the thing that you’re coveting.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

1 Corinthians 5:10-11 Stay away from professing Christians who are covetous.

Contentment

Whatever you’re lusting after will not last. Jesus Christ will never leave you or forsake you according to ...

As the seed

Genesis 3:15, 12:7 – Abram’s seed is Christ according to Galatians 3:16 (3:16-29 is a full explanation).

Covenant confirmed in Christ – Galatians 3:17 – the promises are in Christ.

John 8:56-58

As the root

Proverbs 12:3,12

Isaiah 11:1-2,10

Application in parables of something having no root. Application in Romans 11 of Israel connected to the root but then cut off for unbelief.

As the branch

Jeremiah 23:5, 33:15

Zechariah 3:8,6:12

The branch is like the trunk of the tree. Out of it will come forth branches to multiply the fruit that it will carry.

Fruit-bearing

John 15

Galatians 5

Ephesians 5:9

Precept (vss 1-6)

The seven-year cycle of debt forgiveness for brothers. If it’s a stranger you’re allowed to continue collecting on your debt.

Purpose (vss 4-6)

The LORD says to the Israelites, I want you to participate in this life as I do. I want you to think as I think. I want you to bless as I bless. I want you to partake of my divine nature.

Second, the Lord wants to be able to bless His people. And that can only happen if they follow the law and open their hands.

Pitfall (vss 7-9)

There are predictable hindrances to this spiritual fruit of goodness.

The wicked and hardened heart is expressed when you know what good to do, but you calculate the potential loss to be not worth the good.

Wicked heart, hardened heart, sin unto thee

Withhold good because you won’t be able to collect on it

Not only give but give generously and joyously

James says sin is knowing to do good, but not doing it. In this case, the reason you won’t do it is that you might not get back what you loaned out.

Power (vs 10)

Victory over sin

Look to the LORD to reward you and be generous. That’s trusting him.

Circumcision of the flesh by the word of God, identifying the thoughts and intents of the heart. And by this word of God discerning thoughts that come from the flesh and thoughts that are godly, a soul is able to participate in God’s divine nature.

Text: Genesis 43

Ransom (vss 1-14)

Benjamin’s value

Life for life, Judah offers himself a ransom for his brother Benjamin.

Benjamin stands to represent a lost soul and Judah the ransom of Jesus Christ.

Riches (vss 15-25)

A worldly misconception about money. Brothers think being called to before the governor is about money, but it was about Benjamin.

This is the typical mistake worldliness makes. Because money is the highest thing in the world and money is how things happen in the world’s system, money is the main thing to worldly people. Everything is about money.

Joseph completely disregards the ridiculous thought as the men try to explain themselves and their financial position in verses 19-23.

Why is it not about money? Because it’s about Benjamin! It’s about the soul that was lost.

Mark 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? There is no money that would’ve satisfied Joseph if he couldn’t see Benjamin. 

Rejoicing (vss 26-34)

Joseph weeps seeing Benjamin. He’s overjoyed to see his brother alive!

He prepares Benjamin a meal five times the size of the others to celebrate him.

Joseph set the men in order from youngest to oldest. This puzzled the brothers. Seemed too much to be a coincidence. They wonder if the governor, Joseph, knows more about their family than they think. Surprise. He does!

Text: 2 Samuel 15

The situation in the kingdom is irreversibly bad. David brought Absalom back to Jerusalem without addressing his murder and evident propensity to do whatever he wanted even if it means violence. The boyhood hero who slew the giant has grown into a polygamist king whose family is now destroying the kingdom of Israel. David’s son Absalom steals the people’s hearts (vss 1-6) in a conspiracy to take over the throne and depose his father. Absalom lies to position himself (vss 7-9). He says he has a promise to fulfill in Hebron, so David blesses the trip. But Absalom is going there to garner more support for himself. He’s going together men who were hurt by David’s sin with Bathsheba, namely Ahithophel. Absalom goes to Hebron and proclaims himself king. He then begins to return to Jerusalem with mighty support from Israel forcing David, his father, into exile. David flees Jerusalem to avoid being killed by his own son. It’s horrible.

As this all transpires, you can see David’s will to fight and motivation decline. He is drained of life. I notice the speed with which David is willing to cut and run in verse 14. It’s clear David has no heart to fight this battle. The guilt of regret hog ties David preventing him from addressing Absalom. He remembers his own sin and can’t bring himself to speak against Absalom. David is terrified of being a hypocrite to his family. And it’s making matters worse. David is demoralized. He accepts circumstances he shouldn’t accept. He will ultimately put his failure in God’s lap. Look at verses 25-26. How often do we do that?! On top of that, Absalom has found another way to exploit David’s past sin. Absalom goes after Bathsheba’s grandfather who is a wise leader in Israel. Absalom uses Ahithophel’s contempt for David against him in verse 31. David’s spirit is wounded. He is depressed. He is discouraged. He has accepted failure.

Now, we could continue to go over David’s failures. We could continue to beat David up for having unruly children. We could continue to observe the consequences of David’s dysfunctional family. But I thought to myself, David doesn’t need a lecture on being a failure as a father. He doesn’t need more people to come along and tell him how he’s messed up his life. Do you know what David needs now? He needs a friend.

Support (vs 15)

Sometimes friendships are developed because people work together.

I lament not having a job outside pastoring, particularly in our rural community. It was so easy to uphold Jesus Christ among my friends at work when I was in the oilfield. I didn’t have to insert myself into someone’s life to have a real conversation about eternal life. We all worked together so we all had a reason to be there. And that created natural openings to preach Jesus Christ.

Natural relationships are the best evangelistic opportunities.

What brings people together is helpful when you think about ministering as a friend, but more important is what it means to be a friend. That’s what we want to look at.

Notice the unconditional devotion of David’s servants (vs 15). These servants tell David we will do whatever you want us to do for you. It is unconditional support.

A friend loveth at all times (Proverbs 17:17)

“I love you, BUT…” It’s not adding BUT to I love you. Just, I love you.

This is not to be confused with encouraging sin. These good folks are not encouraging David in sin. They’re there to say whatever you need David, we’ll take care of it.

They want to take care of day-to-day things for David as he needs.

Jesus is the friend who wants to supply all your need!

Presence (vs 21)

The fellowship of Ittai probably came from a common experience as David says in verse 19. Common troubling experiences bring people together; common grief, common loss, common tragedy.

Text: Ruth 4:13-17

The book of Ruth is an incredible history of redemption, faithfulness, and grace. It is the product of people living in a godly way. The book begins with death and ends with life. It is one of the few, if not the only book in the old testament, that ends on a high note. The state of the souls in Ruth matches the agricultural seasons.

Recap of Ruth

The world brings death (chapter 1)

The living move outside the will of God to greener pastures.

The world turns out to hold only seasonal pleasure. In time, death will be the only companion the world has to offer.

The women are widowed; Naomi is a lost Jew, Ruth and Orpah are dead in trespasses and sins, without hope and without God in this world.

Lost seems to be a word the LORD uses to discuss unforgiven Jews.

Naomi hears good news that there is bread in Israel. She returns to Israel with a faithful heathen. Both return with the thought that salvation is of the Jews.

The prospect of life is this man (chapter 2)

There is a man in Israel who is gracious and a kinsman related to Naomi’s family.

He is from Bethlehem.

He is a mighty man.

He is a wealthy man.

Most importantly, he is a man who loves faithfulness regardless of who it’s found in. He is no respecter of persons in Ruth 2:12.

Ruth happens to work in Boaz’s field.

The promise of life more abundantly (chapter 3)

Boaz is a good man willing to redeem the stranger and raise up new life. He’s not just going to provide food, but he makes clear that in him will be life more abundantly.

Boaz is not just going to get Ruth and Naomi through the hard seasons, but he is going to give them life more abundantly.

Boaz provides full redemption of all the land and family (chapter 4)

Boaz buys the land and marries Ruth.

Out of this union between Boaz and Ruth, new life is produced. His name is Obed. And the testimony of Obed is the testimony of new life produced from the union of a believer and Jesus Christ.

Let me give you four things about what Obed represents

Obed is a testimony to what God desires (4:13)

Obed is the new life produced from the gracious kinsman and faithful stranger.

Boaz is the gracious kinsman; Ruth 2:2,10. Within Israel’s national law was the prescription for charitable grace. Boaz’s graciousness toward Ruth was in accordance with the law. The LORD prescribed gracious living to the nation of Israel.

Ruth is the faithful stranger; Ruth 2:12. Within Israel’s national law was the prescription for redemptive grace. Naomi gives instruction to Ruth in these ordinances. Ruth yields herself to these laws.

A Christian is a testimony to what God desires. A Christian is to act like Christ because this is what God desires.

Obed is the heir (4:15)

This new life is one of God’s children in the sense of enjoying God’s inheritance

Obed is not a Moabite, nor is Obed considered an outsider.

Obed is reckoned with God’s promises and God’s inheritance.

This new life, Obed, is a restoration to what Naomi lost outside the will of God. And to Ruth, Obed is new life in God’s house, graffed into an inheritance she had no part in while living in Moab.

A true Christian in Christ is made part of the inheritance. Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Obed is the restoration of what was lost (4:16)

Naomi now has a future and opportunity and new life from what was lost. She lost her children outside the will of God, but now will enjoy her children in the will of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Philippians 3:13 – you can only do this if you have somewhere you’re going an...

Text: Luke 23:39-43

It’s one thing to talk about how good God is when things are going well. That’s easy. It’s another thing to trust the LORD when you’re on a cross. And worse yet, the Savior is on a cross too.

Faith that fears God (vs 40)

He would overcome the voice of his companion because of what God might think of him.

This thief cared more about what God thought of him than his companion, the crowd, or even the appearance of the circumstances.

Fear of the LORD is: the beginning of knowledge, beginning of wisdom, clean, enduring, to hate evil and pride, strong confidence, tendeth to life, etc.

Faith that accepts the consequences of sin (vs 41)

This thief says to the other, we’re getting what we deserve. He even calls it the reward of our deeds. He doesn’t expect better treatment. He doesn’t expect his circumstances to change for the better. He’s accepted that he is a sinner.

Let me explain what it means to accept that you’re a sinner. It means I take responsibility for my sin. Which means I accept the consequences of my sin.

Here is someone who does not take responsibility, Cain. Cain complains that his punishment for murdering his brother is too hard to bear. This is a man who still blames God for a heavy hand. Cain doesn’t agree that his sin warrants this level of judgment therefore he doesn’t accept that he is a sinner in the way God says he’s a sinner. Cain is wrong.

Contrast Cain with the Ninevites. These sinners said let’s fast and put away evil from us because we don’t know what God will choose to do with us. We know he plans on destroying our great city because of our sin and He’s right for doing so. They determined that whatever God’s judgment of them was it would be right.

When kids complain about the judgment mom and dad make for them, it just means they haven’t accepted that they are sinners in the way they are sinners. They’d all say sure I do bad stuff, but this isn’t fair.

Faith that honors Christ (vs 41)

Jesus Christ is the center of God’s word. God the Father honors the Son. The Holy Ghost magnifies the Son. And people will exalt Jesus Christ one day. But for a man so close to Jesus Christ’s vulnerableness and humiliation to say I trust you beyond this cross, that’s something else!

To honor Christ in spite of Christ’s weakness is a fascinating aspect of faith.

The devil is a master at hiding the benefits of the word of God and eternal life in Jesus Christ. From the world’s perspective, which is the devil’s philosophy on life, there is no way to conclude that there is any value in the Bible or Jesus Christ. Why? Because it has no relation to success in this world.

Conversation with Stan about religion and young people.

Paul said he kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faith that gets results (vss 42-43)

Faith that goes beyond the grave.

Faith that goes from a cross to a paradise.

Trucebreakers (by Joe Hons)

Passing Thru (by Craig Ingram)