Genesis 43:16-34
“When We Surrender”

Introduction
1. “Except a corn of wheat fall to the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it brings
much fruit.”
2. Illus. of a kernel of corn. If I put it in a box on a shelf for 20 years and then I open the box
there will be just one kernel of corn abiding alone. If I break it open it would be black inside
(withered within itself). Let’s say I let this corn fall into the ground and die. The corn was
made for the soil, and the earth is the only place where its potentialities could be released and
its life fulfilled. So, man is made for God and God alone can bring fulfillment, but we must
die. If not, we’ll sit on the shelf and wither from within.
3. Jacob has died in Absolute Surrender. In Genesis 43:16-34 there will be at least two
responses:

What if “I” die? There will be:
I. A RESPONSE FROM HEAVEN 43:16, 30, 31, 33
A. His Provision 16
1. He Saw 16a Joseph is patiently waiting for his brothers to return…especially
Benjamin. Ben is his full brother, the son of Rachel. It has been over 20 years. He
now sees his brothers and Benjamin.
2. He Says 16b Bring these men home. For these men shall dine with me at noon. So, it
is with us. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man opens the door, I will
come in and sup with Him and he with Me.
Souls all around us are trying to find what the heart yearns for by sin undermined. I
have the secret, I know where tis found, only in Jesus true pleasure abound. All that I
want is in Jesus. He satisfies. Joy He supplies. Life would be worthless without Him.
All things in Jesus I find.
B. His Pleasure 30, 31
1. He Wept 30 Joseph sought where to weep. He was weeping for joy. Benjamin: that
which had been surrendered…that which brought death to Joseph. He went to his
chamber and wept there. There is joy in heaven over one soul that repents.
2. He Washed 31 They slaughtered an animal (16) and set on bread. In the Old
Testament a sacrifice of sweet-smelling savor. God is pleased! SELF is burning
away…nothing remained but ashes. Set on the bread!
C. His Providence 32, 33
1. The Custom 32 Everyone knew it was forbidden for an Egyptian to share a table
with a Hebrew. Three tables were set. Joseph was socially accepted. He had an
Egyptian name, and Egyptian wife. He lived in the manner of an Egyptian ruler. He
could not eat directly with his brothers without giving undue offense to the Egyptian
guests present. God has placed him there. Where has He placed you?
2. The Calculation 33 The brothers are seated according to age. Henry Morris: to set
in order if it were merely coincidence of the 11 no less than 39,917,000 different
orders in which 11 individuals could be seated! So, when “I” die the providence of
God can seat me as He wants. He knows the right order. He knows what is best…we
don’t!

What if “I” die? There will be:
II. A RESPONSE FROM THE HEART 43:18-22, 23, 24, 26, 29, 34
A. Peace 23
1. The Suspicious 18-22 Shakespeare once wrote: Suspicion always haunts the guilty
mind.” When the steward escorted the brothers to the prime minister’s house instead
of the Grain Mart, the guilt-ridden brothers became suspicious. In verses 19-22
hounded by insecurities, Joseph’s brothers feel they need to explain themselves by
setting the record straight. They pour out of a perfect stranger who can do absolutely
nothing. Guilt hounds you like a coon dog on a trail!
2. The Solution 23 Who told him about their God? No doubt Joseph. This provision is
from God. It was the first-time seeing money in their sack from a divine perspective.
So, it is with us as “I” die: Peace…for God hath… Your God… Today we need
to see from a divine perspective. How does God see it? As “I” die this is possible.
Not only possible, but probable.
B. Purity 24
1. The Care 24a The man gave them water. He that is thirsty ‘come’.
2. The Cleansing 24b (John 13:8-10) We all have daily defilement. We need to be
cleansed. This is done by the washing of water by the Word. “I” die…pride
goes…this cleansing is possible.
C. Placement 26-28
1. The Fulfillment of His Dream.
2. The Fulfillment of His Desire. They bowed themselves 26 They bowed themselves
27 They bowed down and made obeisance. We are more concerned with what people
think than what God thinks. PRIDE: we want to protect our image, our reputation.
If my people who are call by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek by
face…then will I hear from heaven… (II Chron. 7:14) God resists the proud but gives
grace to the humble (James 4:6b-8). “I” must die before I will ever bow low!
D. Pronouncement 29
1. Upon seeing Benjamin, Joseph asks a question but never waits for an answer. God
be gracious unto thee my son.
2. God can only bless what belongs to Him. Too many of us are shriveled up dried
beans or corn…withering from the inside!
E. Plenty 34
1. They Receive 34a Each receives, but Benjamin receives 5 times as much. This is a
test…how will they respond?
2. They Respond 34b And they drank and were merry with him. “You can never
outgive God.”
*Give Benjamin to me…we’re so afraid we’ll lose something. We are
so afraid that we know better than God. We are so afraid we can care for it better
than God.
*Then we die and discover that God knows best. 5 times we’ll never know God’s
multiplication until we die…until we take our hands off!
*Illus. of the kernel of corn that sat on the shelf for 20 years…alone. The kernel will
die from within. Put it in the soil. “I” must die…God Himself is the soil. Are you
shriveled up, dying from within?

God must have me before He can bless me!