JOSEPH (3),INTEGRITY ,FORGIVENESS Yoshinobu Namihira, MD, FACG 3000 Halls Ferry road Vicksburg, MS 39180 phone 601 638 9800 , fax 601 638 9808 , e mail: namihira@vicksburg.com

Genesis 38 Judah , and his hidden sin Tama; daughter in law her husband dead= without husband Judah , his wife dead= without wife Judah impregnated his daughter in law

Judah (2) Judah tried to judge his daughter in law incorrectly in haste and to kill her for her act of immorality the culprit of the very act of ‘ harlotry ‘ and the semen giver to the woman in question was Judah , himself.

Judah (3) Judah acknowledged his act of immorality and repented of it. He never had another illicit sexual relationship with her again. moral fiber= courage to admit one’s mistake or accept blame or take guilt. because of his moral fiber= privilege of producing the lineage of Christ down the line .

Adam Adam Seth Abel Cain

Noah Noah Ham Shem Japheth

Abraham Abraham Ishmael Isaac

Isaac Isaac Jacob Essau

Jacob’s 12 tribes

8.JUDAH 5.Reuben 6.Simeon 7.Levi 9.Issachar 10.Zebulun Jacob’s 12 tribes Zilhah/zilpath Rachel Leah 5.Reuben 6.Simeon 7.Levi 8.JUDAH 9.Issachar 10.Zebulun 11.JOSEPH 12.Benjamin 1.Dan 2.Naphtali 3.Gad 4.Asher

Important relationship Abraham Jacob Judah David JESUS CHRIST

ESSAU JACOB (12) 4 6 2 BILHAH LEAH RACHEL 1DAN LESS LOVED MOST BELOVED 2NAPHTALI 1REUBEN 1 JOSEPH 2SIMEON 2BENJAMIN ZILPATH 3LEVI 1GAD 4JUDAH 2ASHER 5ISSACHAR 6ZEBULUN

JUDAH,RAHAB,RUTH,DAVID, JESUS

Judah (4) judging : 1 action 2. people action – right or wrong people – judgment , comments, rumors, opinion, personal view, insinuation, suggestion = not to do so.

1. do not judge other in haste Judah (5) take home point = 1. do not judge other in haste 2.look at yourself at first. 3. self examination before examining others.

Genesis 45:4-15 Joseph and his brothers his brothers sold Joseph to Egyptian for a small sum of money Joseph at Potiphar’s house Joseph in prison Joseph ‘s ability to interpret dream Joseph promoted from prison cell to Prime minister of Egypt famine in the land of Canaan and Egypt

Egypt not in trouble because it was prepared for it , had a back up plan for emergency situation ; emergency --- plan A, plan B, Plan C, plan D. his brothers came to Egypt for foods for survival , in a humble position , in a begging position , in an inferior position .

Is MY Father still living?” Genesis45:3 “ I am Joseph ! Is MY Father still living?”

Genesis 45:4-5 “come close to me. When they ( 10 brothers) had done so, he said , “ I am your brother JOSEPH , the one you sold into Egypt. “ Do not be distressed. Do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here. Because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you .

It was not you who sent me here, but God Genesis 45:8 It was not you who sent me here, but God

Forgiveness (1) please come near to me ; it is very heart touching, because Joseph who was mistreated by his brothers in the distant past is asking for his brothers to come close to himself and have a private conversation with them in stead of shying away from them or in stead of avoiding them in word or in action.Joseph is the one who chose to shorten the distance between himself and his brothers.

Forgiveness (2) It is a remarkable scene to behold and there is something special to learn from it. In 9 out 10, under an ordinary circumstance , most of people would have mistreated his brothers for their past sin or mistakes, or malicious intention to harm Joseph when he (Joseph ) was in a weak position and totally powerless, no social or political power at all.

Forgiveness (3) Yet Joseph did not return evil for evil ! it is truly remarkable to behold and meditate on it. The take home point is : do not return evil for evil and return good for evil ! it is difficult to do it in actual life situation . The human nature is to return good for good and return evil for evil ! it is a fair game. It takes a special courage and a real firm, rock solid character to return good for evil.!

I am Joseph , your brother, whom you sold into Egypt ; Forgiveness (4) I am Joseph , your brother, whom you sold into Egypt ; comparison between Joseph and Jesus:

Was mistreated by his brothers Coat of many colors, Jocob’s favorite among his sons. Joseph in the heart of Jacob Was sold to Egypt for slavery by his own brothers Was mistreated by Jews and eventually killed God’s most favorite in heaven, Jesus in the heart of the Father. Was betrayed by his own disciple to Jews

Heir of the wealthy family Blood stained garment of Joseph to Jacob , the father to signify the death of Joseph Heir of the wealthy family Many temptations by Egyptian woman , but no record of sinning against God’s principle Among two individuals , a baker and a butler. the baker died, the butler lived Arose from prison to palace in one day Blood stain of Jesus on the cross and blood stain garment left here on earth King of the kings. Heir of god head, household in heaven, Jesus , god head Jesus was tempted by Satan to sin but to no avail. No record of sinning against God Jesus between the two individuals, thieves. One thief- dead, the other thief- saved , believing in Jesus. Arose from death to life in one day

Among two individuals , a baker and a butler Among two individuals , a baker and a butler. the baker died, the butler lived Arose from prison to palace in one day Jesus between the two individuals, thieves. One thief- dead, the other thief- saved , believing in Jesus. Arose from death to life in one day

Joseph instrumental for bringing Jacob and his family ( Israel ) at the time of famine to Egypt and get them out of slavery at Egypt to canaan , (-)=(+)=(-)=(+) Jesus instrumental in bringing God’s people from the slavery to sin to salvation , eternal life . (-)=(+)

Stored and saved grain, ( bread) for emergency; noah; prepared the ark for the coming flood , with one year supply of foods for his human beings and animals. Jesus= bread of life = foods= source of life or energy

The whole world came to Joseph for foods in Egypt, because he stored and prepared the foods for emergency at the time of famine; there was no other alternative or other choice to make. Every one came to Joseph. The whole world came to Jesus, no other alternative or choice except to come to Jesus for eternal life and salvation

10 other brothers came to Joseph for foods and circle and bowed down in front of Joseph, Joseph in the center and all other brothers in the periphery Joseph did not return evil for evil but good for evil . did not retaliate his brothers for their wrongs in the past , did not abuse his authority and power for his own good Everyone came to Jesus and worship and bow down in front of Jesus, Jesus in the center and everyone in the periphery

Joseph did not return evil for evil but good for evil Joseph did not return evil for evil but good for evil . did not retaliate his brothers for their wrongs in the past , did not abuse his authority and power for his own good Jesus never use or abuse his authority or power for his own good or show ,or display for public relation (PR)

Joseph wanted to embrace his own blood related brother – Benjamin, restrained himself from public eyes for a while but could not do so for ever , reveal himself to his own brothers by taking out the veil or mask from his face Jesus wants to take veil and mask from our eyes and wants to reveal himself to us . we can see himself , Jesus, clearly without any blurry vision

Joseph desperate to embrace Benjamin ‘s neck and show love Benjamin, cup of Joseph = the test to see the sincerity of heart and true conversion of heart, the cup= salvation , the cup was used for test with regard to salvation , Jesus desperate to show his love to everyone who wants to believe in HIM Cup of suffering and sour wine to drink, cup = the central theme, cup = salvation , the cup was use for test of Jesus for salvation, cup of Jesus

Judah = offer himself for slavery on behalf of his blood relative of Benjamin, offer himself as a substitute for Benjamin. Self sacrifice and be a substitute for someone else; God chose Judah ,the 4th son, for lineage of Christ ! Jesus offered himself as a substitute for human beings, self sacrifice and offer himself as a substitute for some one else.

Joseph in a position either retaliate or not retaliate his brothers for their wrongs, evil deed, had a power to deliver them from the misery or hunger Jesus had a power to deliver human beings from sin.

Jesus will give the best part of land in heaven Nothing is hidden from God’s ear and God can hear and understand everything of what we say and think, there is nothing hidden from God’s eyes and ears. God can understand multiple languages and does not need any interpreter for communication Joseph gave his father and brothers the best part of the land in Egypt His brothers were talking among themselves about their plan of action in their native tongue but Joseph was able to understand everything of what they were talking . nothing was hidden from Joseph ,

His brothers paid money to Joseph for foods but Joseph did not accept money from his own people and return money back to them, food= gift= offering= salvation= Jesus will not accept our money for salvation, we can not pay Jesus enough money to earn salvation , food= salvation= free gift= something you appreciate eternally

Joseph , the prime minister of Egypt came down the royal chariot and greet his old aged father, Jacob on the road , the two individuals kissed and embraced each other ; meeting between father and son ; a happy moment of reunion Jesus and the God , father in heaven ; there will be a time and occasion for Jesus and his followers and God ,the father , meet together in heaven and kiss and embrace each other ! a joyous moment of reunion !

Forgiveness (5) “ do not grieve over or angry over with yourselves because you sold me to here, for God sent before you to preserve life. “

Forgiveness (6)   Joseph assumed that his brothers had conscience in their heart and still remembered what they did to Joseph and what kind of evil deed it was for them to do so at that time. His brothers was in a superior position and stronger and more powerful : Joseph was in a weaker position, in an inferior and unfavorable circumstance.

Forgiveness (7) Joseph was quietly reminded his brothers of the evil nature of the past deed. That is all . there is no trace of blame for Joseph toward his brothers. The old saying: what goes around comes back. Or you reap what you sow You fall into the ditch you dug for someone else. But you fall into it! There is an important lesson for any one to glean and learn from this incident. That is : you do what is right because it is right and do not do wrong because it is wrong , irrespective of your own personal feelings !

Forgiveness (8) it is very interesting for me to observe what Joseph did to and for his brothers. In stead of blaming and trying to hurt or torture their brothers for the very bad and evil nature of the past deed and act , using his superior position or power in his hands as the prime minister of Egypt, Joseph made the first step to come near his brothers and offered better solution to the situation : act of kindness (+) in stead of meanness or harshness, torture, (-)

Forgiveness (9) Joseph did what ordinary people did not nor could not do . Joseph simply returned good for evil !!. That is all. Ordinary people did and determined to return evil for evil. Get even with it ! The old Hammurabi code of conduct says. : you knock out my teeth, I will knock out your teeth, if you take out my eye , I will take out your eye, if you break my leg, I will break you leg. Basically , tooth for tooth, hand for hand, led for leg, head for head, feet for feet. You get what you pay for . You really reap what you sow!!!

Forgiveness (10) Joseph turn the table around and changed the circumstance in terms of superior and inferior relationship between him and his brothers. Now, Joseph is in a superior and more powerful position and his brothers in an inferior and less powerful and very dangerous position.

Forgiveness (11) Easily, Joseph could have made the situation very hard for his brothers to take and tried to teach them a lesson for what they did to Joseph in the distant past , using his present power and position . But Joseph did not do it. He simply did not exercise his authority and did not use or abuse his power or position for his own good or benefit .It is really remarkable for me to see it .

Forgiveness (12) it takes a firm character and personal integrity with moral fiber inside to resist the human natural tendency to return evil for evil and see other people suffering from the consequence of wrong doings and sin. It takes tremendous amount of energy to resist the natural tendency to retaliate your opponents or enemy and see your opponents suffering from the consequence of wrong choice or action.

Forgiveness (14) Joseph used the circumstance from bad to good, not from good to bad, and did not succumb to the situation of life . He patiently waited for the God’s providence unfolded or open before his eyes

Judah , Benjamin (1) Joseph put his own cup of the prime minister into the sack of the 12th son , his own blood related brother, Benjamin to see how other brothers react or handle the situation with regard to the youngest son of Jacob, Benjamin, he wanted to see if their brothers were truly converted or changed from bad to good the end result = good. All 10 brothers came back to Joseph and pleaded to Joseph that they wanted to be put in prison on behalf of Benjamin, and let Benjamin go free and return to Jacob, Judah and Benjamin

Judah , Benjamin (2) the end result = good. All 10 brothers came back to Joseph and pleaded to Joseph that they wanted to be put in prison on behalf of Benjamin, and let Benjamin go free and return to Jacob.

Joseph bore alike the test of adversity and prosperity. --Education, p

Conflict and Courage (1970), page 366, paragraph 4 Chapter Title: Noble Examples Loyalty to God, faith in the Unseen, was Joseph's anchor. In this lay the hiding of his power. . . .

The Spirit of Prophecy Volume One (1870), page 127, paragraph 3 Chapter Title: Chapter XIV. - Joseph and his Brethren. Jacob appeared to regard the dreams of his son with indifference. But he had been often instructed by the Lord in dreams himself, and he believed that the Lord was teaching Joseph in the same manner. He reproved Joseph, that his true feelings might not be discovered by his envious brothers.

The Spirit of Prophecy Volume One (1870), page 152, paragraph 2 Chapter Title: Chapter XIV. - Joseph and his Brethren. The meeting of Joseph and his father was very affecting. Joseph left his chariot, and ran to meet his father on foot, and embraced him, and they wept over each other. Jacob then 153 expressed his willingness to die, since he had again seen his son Joseph, for whom he had so long mourned as dead.

The Spirit of Prophecy Volume One (1870), page 157, paragraph 1 Chapter Title: Chapter XIV. - Joseph and his Brethren. Joseph could not bear the thought that his brethren should think that he harbored a spirit of revenge toward them whom he cordially loved.

Spiritual Gifts. Volume 3 (1864), page 178, paragraph 1 Chapter Title: Chapter XV. - Joseph and his Brethren. No tax was required of Joseph's father and brethren by the king of Egypt, and Joseph was allowed the privilege of supplying them liberally with food. The king said to his rulers, Are we not indebted to the God of Joseph, and to him, for this liberal supply of food? Was it not because of his wisdom that we laid in so abundantly? While other lands are perishing, we have enough! His management has greatly enriched the kingdom.

Conclusions (1) Judah made a serious mistake and admitted the mistake as his own. A man of Honesty Concept of MORAL FIBER Do not judge others in haste. Joseph was promoted from prison to palace on one day.

Conclusions (2) Joseph shortened the distance between himself and his brothers. A mindset of returning GOOD (+) for EVIL(-). Judah =a example of SELF SACRIFICE for others. The 10 brothers were speaking among themselves in the native tongue about the plan of action but Joseph was able to hear / understand 100% of the conversation. Nothing was hidden from Joseph’s ears.

Conclusions (3) God sent Joseph before his brothers to Egypt to preserve LIFE. WHAT GOES AROUND COMES BACK. REAP WHAT YOU SOW. do right because it is right ,irrespective of one’s personal feelings. Do not abuse power / authority.

Conclusions (4) Joseph patiently waited for the God’s providence unfolded before his eyes. Joseph bore alike the test of 1) adversity , 2)prosperity . Loyalty to God , Faith in the UNSEEN, was Joseph’s ANCHOR. A SPIRIT OF REVENGE SHOULD BE DISCARDED. A SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS !!!!

The End Thank you for coming

Sermon details Opening hymn: 532 day by day Scripture reading : Genesis 45:4-5 Special music: the namihira’s Sermon: “Joseph (3); Integrity , forgiveness” Closing hymn: 632 until then

Place of visit 6-6-2009, vicksburg SDA chucrch