Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide? #2 Genesis 42 The Pinch of Want The Pain of Harsh Treatment The Press of Solitude The Proof of God’s Presence The Pattern of Necessity The Power of True Affections The Purge of Self-Confidence 1

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide? #2 Genesis 42 The Press of Solitude Quickening of conscience and confession The pain of material want brought the brothers to Egypt against their desires. Joseph’s harsh words pricked their carefully constructed defenses. Now God uses the solitude of imprisonment to set them apart from life’s incessant, trivial demands. 2

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide? #2 Genesis 42 The Press of Solitude We must let conscience work. Solitude awakened and intensified their guilt. Solitude also intensified a bitter memory. Their dire circumstances added to this. Joseph forces them to make a tough decision. Imagine what they went through arriving at this decision! 3

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide? #2 Genesis 42 The Press of Solitude Solitude caused the brothers to reason spiritually and to come to their senses. Joseph’s brothers were not Godly men, did not reason spiritually, and were perhaps not even saved. God intervened and suddenly the brothers changed their tune. The brothers’ world view went from an impersonal, immoral universe to a moral universe where there was a reckoning with God for their sin – Isaiah 1:18. 4

Isaiah 1:18 (NASB) 18  “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide? #2 Genesis 42 The Proof of God’s Presence “What is this that God has done to us?” What do the brothers mean by this question? What is God trying to accomplish by allowing us to fall into this circumstance? Why is God allowing us to fall into these circumstances? God has done this! Therefore … God is not forgetful of our sin! God has seen it! God remembers it! God is intervening in our lives! This is not a miracle. 5

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide? #2 Genesis 42 The Proof of God’s Presence “What is this that God has done to us?” What does the brothers’ statement concerning God signify? The brothers were coming to grips with the true God. Not only was God doing something to them, but they were recognizing God was doing it. The word “God” was beginning to have significant meaning. Consciousness of sin was bringing them to an understanding of God! 6

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide? #2 Genesis 42 The Proof of God’s Presence God’s kindness leads. The pinch of want, the pain of harsh treatment, and the press of solitude have all worked to bring the brothers to repentance. God has used Joseph and these rough edges to help the brothers see grace. Joseph now shows God’s grace by simply giving their money back. The brothers’ guilt causes fear – Lev. 26:36. 7

Leviticus 26:36 (NASB) 36  As for those of you who may be left, I will also bring weakness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies. And the sound of a driven leaf will chase them, and even when no one is pursuing they will flee as though from the sword, and they will fall.

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide? #2 Genesis 42 No One Loves Me, This I Know Jacob’s sea of troubles “Everything is against me!” Jacob focused on what he did not have. Jacob lived in fear. Jacob felt sorry for himself. Some things are against us. This world system Our flesh The devil 8

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide? #2 Genesis 42 No One Loves Me, This I Know If God be for us Had Jacob forgotten Bethel? Had Jacob forgotten his wrestling match? Had Jacob forgotten all his blessings? “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” “There are seven thousand in Israel who have not bowed a knee to Baal.” 9

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide? #2 Genesis 42 Application Do you have solitude in your life? To strengthen your walk? To reveal your sin? Can you point to proof of God’s presence in your life? Do you know the truth that God is with you and is greater than any opponent or situation you face? 10