(Genesis) Genesis 42 Introduction

Now, when we come to chapter 42, why, we see one of these dramatic incidents that is in the life of Joseph. In fact, I think you have here one of the most dramatic incidents in Scripture. The one that's ahead of this one is in the very next chapter, and we'll see that when we get to it.

But here, why, we see now what the famine is going to force them to do. You say to me, you can begin to see the hand of God now. You sure can, but you must remember when Joseph was way back in that dungeon, he didn't see all of this, but he believed God.

Here is a man, because of his faith, he was enthusiastic, he was always optimistic. Frankly, I wish my faith got that far down in shoe leather. Regardless of what happened, regardless of what the circumstances are, I could be optimistic.

I tell you, it doesn't take much rain, but just a few dark clouds, to make me begin to become just a little less optimistic than I should be. I'm sure that's true of many of us today. Now, this man's in this unique position.

Now, what's going to happen? I think you can almost see what's going to happen. The famine's over all the earth, and all the earth is coming to Egypt to get grain. Guess who's coming for dinner, friends? Well, I can tell you, let's get in the 42nd chapter and we'll find out.

We'll see here that the famine forces Jacob to send ten of his sons into Egypt to buy corn. Why did he send ten? Why didn't he send Benjamin? He didn't want to lose him, friends. It would have killed him to have lost Benjamin.

And now we're going to have an audience, these boys are, with Joseph. And Joseph recognizes them, but they do not recognize him. Why? Several reasons.

First of all, they thought he was dead. They were not looking for him at all, just didn't expect to see him. He did expect to see them.

And the second thing is, you remember, he's shaved. And how many years have gone by now? Well, let's put it like this. Joseph was 17 when he was sold into slavery, and it's now 37 years.

So they haven't seen him in 20 years plus how many years they were in the famine. I don't know. Let's say two years.

So they hadn't seen him in 22 years. Last time they saw him, he was a 17-year-old boy. Now he's in his forties.

They don't know him at all, and he's dressed like an Egyptian. Call him an Egyptian.