WED: “THE FEAR OF THE LORD HELPS US NOT BECOME A VICTIM”

TEXT: GENESIS 42:3-24

  • Introduction:   Genesis 42:18
    • The reason he could be trusted was that he feared God
    • The reason he was not vindictive was because he feared God
    • The reason he was cautious with his brothers, but still willing to help them, was his fear of God
  1. Joseph was not a victim of his brothers, so he was not vindictive    Genesis 42:3-8
    1. They needed what Joseph had, but he did not withhold it from them
    2. They did bow down to Joseph, but he did not use it against them
    3. They were servants to Joseph in Egypt, but he did not enslave them
  2. Joseph was helpful to them even though he did not trust them    Genesis 42:9-17
    1. Joseph realized that God had fulfilled his dreams
    2. Joseph was testing to see if they had changed
    3. Joseph wanted to see how they viewed their choices
  3. The respect Joseph had for God caused him to still love his brothers    Genesis 42:18-24
    1. Joseph was a man of his word because he feared God
    2. Joseph was a man of forgiveness because he feared God
    3. Joseph was a man of compassion because he feared God