Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 18, 2023: SOAP #4794: Genesis 44-46; Luke 18

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 45:4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be ploughing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

OBSERVATION:  What was true?  Did Joseph’s brothers sell him OR did God send him?  When was it that Joseph fully understood the truth that God had a plan in bringing him to Egypt.  Was it when He interpreted the dream for Pharoah?  Was it when Pharoah gave him a ring of authority and put him in charge of all Egypt?  Maybe it was one night in his prison cell. 

Whenever it was, when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, He could confidently say, “God sent me!”  . 

APPLICATION: About 2000 years later another often referred to Himself as sent by God.  Jesus!  God so loved the world that He sent Jesus. (John 3:16)  Joseph was sent to Egypt to preserve the line through which the Savior would come.  Jesus was sent to be the savior.  God still loves the world, so we are sent (every SOAP reader is sent) to make sure everyone has the opportunity to hear about Jesus. 

PRAYER:   Lord, use me/us today to speak to one person.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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