Josephs Seven Weepings

(Dave Kornfield 8/99)

Introduction and context A. Once upon a time there was a teenager. . . B. Ge 41:50-52 Manasseh: means forget. God has made me forget all of my trouble and all my fathers household. Ephraim: twice fruitful. God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering. 1. Weeping that expresses deep egocentric pain A. Seven signs of emotional woundedness (Ge 42) 1) Wearing a mask, pretense, not letting himself be known, protecting himself (v. 7) 2) Speaking harshly, even unconsciously (v. 7) 3) Remembering the past with pain (v. 9) 4) Accusing (v. 9) 5) Rejecting (v. 12) 6) Making demands, forcing others to prove they are good enough for him (vv. 1416) 7) Making others suffer (vv. 17-20, 24) B. The weeping in v. 24 - contrast with Ge 41:51, 52. Deep sadness, but sadness according to the world. See 2 Co 7:8-11. Worldly sorrow Person in focus Oneself Type of pain Remorse (regret) Relational Death: separation, withdrawal outcome Emotional Weight for the individual outcome and for those around him Consequences Damage through a critical for others and even destructive spirit Godly sorrow God and others Repentance Salvation (life): integration, harmony, reconciliation, unity Relief for the individual and for those around him Fruit 8 are listed in 2 Co 7:11

Because of his worldly sorrow, Joseph hurt his brothers (Ge 42:24ff). 2. Weeping that expresses love and pain mixed together Deeply moved for his brother, Benjamin (Ge 43:30) At the same time, continuing to make his brothers suffer (Ge 44) 3. Weeping that liberates pain (Ge 45:1-3) The pain was so deep that Pharaohs household heard the cries. Finally, Joseph takes off his mask. For the first time he can see God clearly in the midst of his painful past, now transformed by Gods presence and purpose (Ge 45:5, 7, 8, 9). 4. Weeping that expresses the joy of reconciliation He embraced Benjamin and wept; Benjamin responded in the same way (Ge 45:14). He kissed all his brothers and wept over them; afterwards they talked with him (Ge 45:15). He didnt perceive his brothers wounds. Consequences for others of a wounded heart A. Fear, even in relationship to God (Ge 42:28, 35) B. Hurt by the harsh words of the wounded person (Ge 42:30) C. Treated badly (Ge 42:30) D. Having their character questioned (Ge 42:33) E. Third parties suffer, the wounded person not measuring or having any idea of the consequences of making others suffer (Ge 42:39). F. Presents and good intentions become unacceptable (Ge 43:12). G. Good actions become unacceptable, being interpreted badly (Ge 43:18). 5. Weeping for the joy of restored family relationships He threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time (46:29). (Cf. Ge 29:11; 33:4) 6. Weeping of deep grief
Dave Kornfield, OC International, 8/99

After weeping on the day of his fathers death (Ge 50:1, 3), Joseph weeps for seventy more days along with the Egyptians, according to their customs. Some months later, burying his father in the promised land, Joseph weeps loudly and bitterly (Ge 50:10) He observed a seven-day period of mourning for his father (Ge 50:10) 7. Weeping of recognizing how much he had hurt his brothers (Ge 50:15-21) Joseph wept (Ge 50:17). He reassured them and spoke kindly to them (literally, spoke to their hearts) (Ge 50:21) Not only wounded people cry. Jesus cried at least three times that we know of: When facing the sadness and hopelessness of Mary and Martha in the face of Lazaruss death (Jn 11:35); Over the city of Jerusalem who rejected the salvation that God offered and consequently would be destroyed (Lk 19:41); At Gethsemane when he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death (Heb 5:7). Clearly healthy, mature, and perfect people cry. To conclude, prayerfully choose at least one of the types of weeping with which you can identify at this time. Some people may not be able to do that because they have never learned to cry. Such people may even have good reasons to cry, but have never been able to do so or not been able to do so for a long time. Tears are a great present from God. If you need this present, ask that He might give it to you. Having chosen, lets close in groups of four, sharing and praying together.

Dave Kornfield, OC International, 8/99