Genesis 44:1-45:15

Call to Worship: Psalm 107:8-9, Isaiah 55:1 (adapted)

Let us praise the Lord for His great love,  and for the wonderful things He has done for us, for he satisfies the thirsty,  and he fills the hungry with good things!All who thirst, come to the waters.Come, all who are weary; come, all who yearn for forgiveness;come, all who long for healing from strife.

The Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ has washed over us, and our gracious and holy God beckons and blesses us,with peace that surpasses comprehension. Drink deeply of these living waters. 

Glory to you, O Lord, glory to you.

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:12-15 (MSG)

12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. 15 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.

Sermon Text: Genesis 44:1-45:15 (ESV)

I. Joseph Tests the Integrity of his Brothers (44:1-13)A. A trap set with Joseph’s cup (44:1-2)1 Then he commanded the steward of his house, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, 2 and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph told him.

B. The brothers overtaken with accusation (44:3-6)3As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. 4 They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his steward, “Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 5Is it not from this that my lord drinks, and by this that he practices divination? You have done evil in doing this.’”

C. The brothers’ vow of innocence (44:7-9)6 When he overtook them, he spoke to them these words. 7 They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing!8 Behold, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house?9 Whichever of your servants is found with it shall die, and we also will be my lord’s servants.”

D. Brothers return to Joseph’s house (44:10-13)10 He said, “Let it be as you say: he who is found with it shall be my servant, and the rest of you shall be innocent.” 11 Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. 12 And he searched, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they tore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

II. Judah Proves His Integrity (44:14-34)A. Judah’s plea and Joseph’s verdict (44:14-17)14 When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there. They fell before him to the ground. 15 Joseph said to them, “What deed is this that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me can indeed practice divination?” 16 And Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out the guilt of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we and he also in whose hand the cup has been found.” 17 But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the man in whose hand the cup was found shall be my servant. But as for you, go up in peace to your father.”

B. Judah’s courageous appeal (44:18-34)18 Then Judah went up to him and said, “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not your anger burn against your s