ch 45 - Amidst the terror of his brothers Joseph shows his utter confidence that the events that had happened to him was of God :5 - The point is made again 50:20.

44:32-34 And now we see the true repentance of Judah - he had been a spokesman before (Genesis 37:26) but on that occasion he was self seeking not caring about the feelings of his father Jacob.

45:1 The making known of Joseph to his brethren is a pattern of the revelation of Christ to repentant Israel. Whilst they will be horrified at what they have done to him their repentance will assure that Jesus will lovingly embrace them - and so 'all Israel shall be saved' (Romans 11:26) - of course this is not a blanket salvation. It is consequent upon repentance.

44:11 Notice that the brethren behave quickly – they knew that they had  done nothing wrong – but they were trapped by Joseph’s subterfuge just as he had been by theirs when he had come to see them.

45:6 So we are now there are five years more famine to come and we are able to fit the events of Chapters 42-45. Also we know that we are 11 years on from the dreams of the butler and baker (Gen 41:1)

Gen 45:6 Joseph was then 39 years old, and Benjamin about 7 or 8 years younger

45:1 - Joseph makes himself known to his brethren just as Jesus will at the second coming Zech 12:10.

45:22 - perhaps new clothes echoing the clothes of righteousness the elect will wear when Christ returns but none are truly worthy as it is only through God's mercy and grace which is perhaps symbolically echoed with the silver and mention of the number 5.

44:24-30  Note the repeated way in which Judah refers to Jacob as ‘my father’. This shows deep remorse and concern for his father. The change of heart is being seen in the very way that Judah speaks. This is a lesson for us. Repentance is more than saying sorry. Repentance is seen in a changed heart which is reflected in changed speech.

45:5  Joseph demonstrates his confidence in God’s providence – seen again 50:20 – though things had not always gone well for Joseph.

45:8 Joseph is able to forgive because he sees the hand of God in his life. This should be our focus too - we know that each person will have to bear their own consequences, and to continue to have an unforgiving attitude is our own problem, and does not allow us to see the lessons that God wants us to learn. cp Luke 23:34 where Jesus is able to forgive, despite the terrible things which have been done to him.

44:14 In falling down before Joseph the brothers are fulfilling Joseph’s dream of Gen 37:7

44:14   Notice it is ‘Judah and his brethren’ indicating that Judah was the spokesman for them all.  It was Judah – Gen 37:26– whose counsel they had listened to at the beginning of this escapade when he encouraged them not to kill Joseph but to sell him instead.

45:10 The land of Goshen (the north-east area of the Nile Delta) was considered the most fertile land in Egypt (45:18).  The phrase fat of the land expresses this idea, and the term is used in modern parlance to convey living in luxury.  It is interesting to note that the fat (Heb. chelev) was to become, solely, Yahweh's possession in sacrifice under the Law (Lev 3:16).  Thus, Yahweh's people can be seen as His fat, solely belonging to Him.

44:9 ‘let him die’! That is exactly what the brothers had devised to tell Jacob about Joseph but now they are creating a trap for themselves which they would not want to follow through. They were beginning to show repentance about what they had done to Joseph.

45:3 Hitherto, Joseph had been speaking to his brothers through an interpreter, as he spoke the Egyptians' language.  But now, he spoke to his brothers in their own language.  That language would have been an East Semitic language (perhaps Akkadian).  Aramaic did not appear until the 12th. Century BC; and Hebrew did not appear until the 10th. Century BC.  These languages appeared long after the time of the Patriarchs.

44:16 Notice the way in which Judah takes the initiative and includes all the brothers in the problem though the cup had been found in Benjamin’s sack. If they had been like they were when the sold Joseph they would have accepted the offer for Benjamin to be Joseph’s servant and would have left free men, doubtless able to concoct some story to tell Jacob.

V.12,14,15,20 - What happens to all who die be they beast or human? In short, we all initially go to the "grave" Heb. "sheol" (7585) meaning "grave, pit, hell", etc. Humans who have no understanding will remain in the grave and never see the light of day like beasts as they aren't fully responsible or sufficiently acquainted with God's word. Some "souls" KJV or "lives" NIV [Heb. "nephesh" (5315) meaning "life, a breathing creature, person, soul", etc.] will be redeemed from the sleep of the grave at the day of resurrection and then judged to reign on the earth or be destroyed Dan 12:2; 2Cor 5:10; Rom 2:3-11; Rev 5:10; Matt 5:5; Luke 13:28; Psa 145:20

49:15   David has already said – :6 – that we should not trust in ourselves. Now he teaches us who we should trust.

The rich man dies and leaves his wealth (v.17).  This is illustrated in Jewish humor:  Two Jews, Cohen and Shapiro attended the funeral of an associate Goldberg.  Cohen says to Shapiro: I heard Goldberg was a very wealthy man - how much did he leave?  Shapiro turns to his friend Cohen and replies: All of it!

v4 and v20 link this Psalm with Proverbs 1:1-7. If we compare the contexts closely we find the reason for Solomon's main statement in Proverbs:

"Wisdom is the principal thing... in all your getting, get understanding! (Prov 4:6-8).

The reason is, understanding in the end saves us from the fate of v20

"A man who is in honour, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish."

FAITH FOR ETERNITY

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Heb 11:1)

My hope is that Jesus will return one day very soon, that he will establish God's kingdom on the earth and that he will take his chosen people, me included, to be with him for ever and ever. This is my hope. But it is much more than a hope. I am sure that it will happen. God has said it will - and I believe him!

The Psalmist had the same confidence when he said, "But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself." (Psa 49:15) The psalmist had no doubt that this was what God would do. He was one hundred percent confident of it!

A few years ago I asked a question to an audience I was speaking to. Will you be in the kingdom of God? The audience raised their hands to say whether they thought they would or not. A few hands, very few, shot staright into the air. They were confident. More people slowly joined them and there were quite a number who were uncertain. But we can be confident. God has said he wants us there! He is not willing that any should perish - including you and me! We can be confident in faith of his forgiveness and love toward us. If we lack confidence then we need to increase our faith and maybe change the way we live.

Are we sure of receiving what God has promised?

49:4 David’s expression about ‘parable’ and ‘dark saying’ here is seen again in Psa 78:2

V.15 I sense this verse might have a prophetic messianic application or echo. Not only does it refer to redeeming the "soul" KJV or "life" NIV from the power of the grave but it also refers to being received by God which is exactly what happened to Jesus post resurrection Acts 2:34-35;1:10-11. In Psa 49:9 Peter Forbes notes the prophetic reference to Christ not seeing corruption as he was resurrected in 3 days.

49:3 ‘wisdom’ is another link with the narrative about the temptation of Eve and Adam – Gen 3:6

49:3 ‘wisdom’ is another link with the narrative about the temptation of Eve and Adam – Gen 3:6

1:3 That Jesus was 'of the seed of David according to the flesh' continues a major theme found in Acts- The way in which Jesus was 'of David' - For your own pleasure work through the early chapters in Acts where we find the early preaching of the apostles and see how often they refer to David.

2:15 In speaking of gentiles with 'the law written in their hearts' Paul is speaking of gentile believers who live according to the gospel. The phrase is a quotation from Jeremiah 31:33.

1:8 Faith alone could sustain them, see what life was like in Rome. Cp. us and today.
Background to the times
Tacitus - "Rome... into that city flowed all things that are vile and abominable, and they are encouraged"

2:22 Commiting adultery, try the spiritual senses here - 'I am married to you Lord'. Cp. Jer 3:14. aren't we all guilty of this too often?

Rom 2:25 Circumcision was a sign. For its significance see Jos 5:8,9 - the 'rolling away of the reproach of Egypt'. Think of rolling away the flesh and all it spiritually signifies.

Some might think of Romans as a difficult book to understand. It is best appreciated by it being read at one sitting. Here is a summary of the letter

Structure Of The Letter To The Romans

Main Points
1:1-7   Paul write to the Romans about the Gospel of Christ [promised before in David]
1:8-15  I thank God for you and hope to see you
1:16-18 I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation.
1:19-32 Those who knew the judgements of God perverted His revelation in pleasing themselves
2:1-16  If you judge another you condemn yourself because God does not respect the Jew above the gentile.
2:17-29 If you are a Jew and boast in the law of Moses do you live up to the standard that
you expect the gentile to observe?  Scripture indicates that as a nation you do not.
3:1  So what benefit is there in being a Jew?
3:2-18   A lot because they received the law and despite their Godlessness God is willing
to show mercy if we acknowledge that He is just.
3:19-23 The law speaks to Jews to silence them so that the righteousness of God in Christ can be seen.
3:24-30 God gave His son that He might forgive our sins if we believe Him.
4:1-8   If God's grace is shown to those who believe what about Abraham and David?
4:9-16   This 'blessedness' comes upon all
through 'faith' because Abraham was uncircumcised when he received the relevant promise.
4:17-25 Abraham's experience was written down for our benefit that we might appreciate how Abraham's  faith was shown.
5:1-5 Being justified we have peace with God - troubles are chastening.
5:6-11 If God reconciled enemies how much more will he care for those who are  reconciled.
5:12-21 As sin abounded from Adam grace abounded since Jesus.
6:1-14  So We should live as if we are alive from the dead.
6:15-23  So if God's grace abounds in sin should we sin more?
7:1-6    We are freed from the law of Moses.
7:7-13  The Holy Law highlighted the sinfulness of sin.
7:14-25 With the flesh I serve sin, with the mind I serve God.
8:1-9 So if we serve God faithfully we are not condemned.
8:10-16 Therefore [like Romans 6] be led by the spirit of God.
8:17-25 The creation, made subject to vanity, waits for the redemption of the body.
8:26-30 The 'spirit' helps us because we cannot help ourselves.
8:31-39 If God be for us who can be against us?
9:1-5  I sorrow for the blindness of Israel.
9:6-13  However God's calling is according to election not right.
9:14-33 In righteousness God calls.  Gentiles benefit from Israel's blindness.
10:1-11 By trying to show that they were righteous Israel failed to recognise that Yahweh is righteous and is 'seen' by faith not works.
10:12-21 Whether Jew of Greek it is the one who 'calls' who will be saved as the prophets show the gentiles are involved in the purpose of God.
11:1-11 God has not cast off Israel - they are saved by election.
11:12-27 Blindness has happened in part ... until ...
11:28-36 You gentiles should understand that Israel is beloved for the father's sake.
12:1-21 Offer your lives of non conformity as a living sacrifice - here are some details.
13:1-14 More examples of the 'living sacrifice'
14:1-23 And how to respond to brethren who are 'weak'
15:1-7  You strong should give this type of sacrifice towards your brethren.
15:8-21 The prophets foretold the call of the gentiles.
15:22-29  I have been trying to come and see you and when I have done the things I have
planned I hope to come.
15:30-33  So please pray for me.
16:1-24    Greet one another – individuals send their greetings.
16:25-27  May God establish you in the faith.

2:1,3 The repeated use of ‘O man’ forces the point that whilst the quotations from the Old Testament that he has been using condemn the Jew the principles behind those quotations apply to both Jew and gentile.

Rom 1:3, 4. Paul is showing how Christ is the Seed of David  V.3 The right to the throne of David, this right is not merely legal, due to genealogical inheritance, but is also moral because of the qualities of character He manifested. How He is the Son of God   V.4  which represents God's power. He is also referred to as the Son of Man  which represents His authority.

Nature in all its brilliance, intricacy, harmony, and balance is a testimony to the exstence of God its creator (1:19,20).
 
God soundly rejects the practice of homosexuality (1:26,27).
 
Judging in the sense of condemnation is not acceptable (2:1), but judging in the sense of discernment is recommended (e.g. 1Cor 10:15, 11:13).

1:19-20 - we find evidence of God in His creation. I wonder what a duck billed, beaver tailed, egg laying, mammal like a platypus evolved from?

2:6-11 - God doesn't show favoritism, nor should we James 2:1-9

Rom 2:28-29; Matt 12:46-50 - spiritual Jews; spiritual brethren

1:10      Paul had determined to go and see the brethren and sisters in Rome, however he still made it a matter of prayer. We should not assume that because we want to do something for God that it actually is the will of God. Often it is our own will that we try to dress up as if it is God’s will. There is value in asking God to thwart plans that we have made if they do not accord with His will. This is not an excuse to go our own way unless we are stopped. Rather it is a matter of developing a way of thinking that is willing to subjugate our own will to the will of the Father.

1:5 ‘obedience to the faith’ is echoed at the end of the letter – Rom 16:26

2:4    The ‘forbearance of God’ is seen in Jesus’ sacrifice as is developed in Rom 3:25.

The character of those who will receive eternal life is summarised beautifully in Rom 2:7:

"those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honour, and immortality"

It is the opposite of grasping for it (Gen 3:6-7). This "patient continuance" is epitomised in Job (Gen 5:10-11) and Abraham (Heb 11:10) and Jesus (Phil 2:6).