Hearts that are Truly Changed
Gen. 43
Have you ever had someone say they were sorry for some wrong they had committed, just to later see them do or say something that indicates their sorrow was at best not genuine and at worst completely false?
How about a more penetrating question – have you ever said you were sorry for a sin you committed that hurt others, just to turn around and commit the same sin again? All of us probably have. I know I have.
We learn this as children. As children we say sorry, not because we are genuinely sorry, rather we say it so we can get on with life.
For most young children, sorry does not mean – I am genuinely sorry that I did that and for the hurt it caused you.
No, for most young children sorry means – I am sorry I got caught and now that I have said I am sorry can I please go and get on with my life; can I please go back to playing.
We laugh because we can relate, yet in reality it is sad because too many of us carry this into adulthood and still practice it today.
The reason we do so, is because our hearts have not truly been changed. In regards to whatever it is for which we say we are sorry, our hearts have not truly been changed.
I believe this is an issue that is addressed when Joseph’s brothers are forced to visit him again.
Last week we saw as Joseph, 22 years after they sold him as a slave, came face to face with his brothers and wondered – how is my family; how is my dad and little brother doing; how are these brothers; have they changed; are they sorry for what they did?
And then we watched Joseph show compassion to them in order to get the answers to his questions.
In the end we saw his brothers confess their sin and turn their attention to God.
Based upon our text today it seems that Joseph had another question in mind. It seems Joseph could have been thinking – my brothers have turned their attention to God, but have they turned their hearts to God?
Joseph heard his brothers confess their sin, but given the opportunity, would they do it again? Are their hearts, hearts that are truly changed?
In order to determine this Joseph gives them another test. Again as we saw last week, this was done not in a spiteful way, but to determine when just the right time to reveal himself to his brothers was.
Joseph is a man who was stretched and strengthened by God.
Today we will see Joseph as he is stretched by his brother’s return to Egypt, this time with his younger brother Benjamin coming along, and as he is strengthened by God when he witnesses indicators, or signs, that God is indeed at work in his brother’s hearts, especially Judah’s.
This morning by carefully examining Gen. 43, we will see Joseph’s brothers, especially Judah, externally demonstrate an internal change of heart.
I believe there are three indicators, or signs, that prove this to be true.
My prayer is that we will see these three indicators of hearts that are truly changed and then ask ourselves are these true of me?
Let’s start with the first indicator which is found in verses 1-10.
The context here is – Joseph brothers run out of food.
Gen. 43:1-10
1 Now the famine was severe in the land.
2 So it came about when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.”
3 Judah spoke to him, however, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’
4 “If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food.
5 “But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ”
6 Then Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man whether you still had another brother?”
7 But they said, “The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ So we answered his questions. Could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”
8 Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the lad with me and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, we as well as you and our little ones.
9 “I myself will be surety for him; you may hold me responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame before you forever.
10 “For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice.”
So as we can see, Joseph’s family has run out of food.
In 42:36 Jacob blames his sons for his problems.
In 42:37 Jacob ignores his son, Simeon who is in jail.
In 43:6 Jacob again blames his sons for his problems.
All through his life, Jacob was seldom, if ever, willing to take responsibility for his wrongs.
In verses 8-9 Judah steps up and says, I will see to it that Benjamin returns safely; if he does not, you can hold me completely responsible; and I will be guilty before you forever.
What is so significant about the fact that it is Judah?
Do you remember back in chapter 37 when his brothers were selling Joseph into slavery? Verses 25-27 tell us – they threw Joseph into the pit; they sat down to eat a meal and then Judah has the idea – let’s sell him and make some money.
For all we know, had Judah not had this idea, Reuben may have found a way to get Joseph home safe to his father. At worst Joseph probably would have been left in the pit to fend for himself. Some one would have helped him out and he would have returned safely to his father.
It was Judah’s idea to sell Joseph, now it is Judah who says I will be responsible for Benjamin’s safe return. If he does not return safely, it will be my fault and you can do to me as you will.
In short, I will take the full blame and whatever consequences may come with my wrong.
I do not believe this is Judah trying to make restitution. He still thinks Joseph is dead and nothing can bring him back.
Rather Judah is showing he is ready to accept both responsibility and consequences for sin.
Unlike Jacob, who is quick to blame others, Judah says – If I sin, there will be no one to blame but me and I am willing to be held accountable.
Hearts that are truly changed are ready to accept both responsibility and consequences for sin.
Hearts that are truly changed don’t look to blame other people or things for the sins they commit.
Hearts that are truly changed don’t try to run and hide from the consequences of sin.
Hearts that are truly changed are ready to accept both responsibility and consequences for sin.
If we as believers say, I have changed and then go on sinning and blaming other people or other things for our sins, we have not changed.
When we stop blaming others, when we say – I did it; I was wrong; I am guilty; I have sinned; then we have changed.
If we say – I did it; I was wrong; I am guilty; I have sinned; and then are not willing to accept whatever consequences may come, we have not changed.
When we stop doing everything we can – running, hiding, or whatever – to avoid the consequences of our sins – no matter how bad they may be; when we stand and face the consequences – then we have changed.
We have three children. Specific names will remain silent in order to protect the innocent. One of our children, when they have done something wrong, generally speaking will immediately deny it. “I didn’t do it, it wasn’t me . . .” You have probably heard them all. If there is no way of denying it, then he – or she – will utter those five famous words – But it wasn’t my fault. When the consequences are discussed, the famous four word phrase is uttered – that’s not fair. This child does not want to accept responsibility for sin nor do they like to accept the consequences of sin. This child takes after their father. One of the other two children is quite different. When they do something wrong and are confronted, they immediately drop their chin to their chest and upon hearing – did you do it – they nod their head, yes. When we tell them the consequences, they bury their chin deeper into their chest and say, with that oh so sad voice, okay. This child is willing to both accept responsibility and consequences for sin. This child takes after their mother.
Hearts that are truly changed are ready to accept both responsibility and consequences for sin.
Judah demonstrated a changed heart by doing so.
Let’s continue with the text in verses 11-25 where we will see the second indicator of hearts that are truly changed.
In these verses, the context is – Joseph’s brothers’ return to Egypt.
Gen. 43:11-25
11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry down to the man as a present, a little balm and a little honey, aromatic gum and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
12 “Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake.
13 “Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man;
14 and may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will release to you your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
15 So the men took this present, and they took double the money in their hand, and Benjamin; then they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.
16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon.”
17 So the man did as Joseph said, and brought the men to Joseph’s house.
18 Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.”
19 So they came near to Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house,
20 and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food,
21 and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full. So we have brought it back in our hand.
22 “We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.”
23 He said, “Be at ease, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
24 Then the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys fodder.
25 So they prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there.
So as we read, Joseph’s brothers have returned to Egypt.
Jacob and his sons were living in fear.
Jacob, in a sense, is trying to buy his way out of trouble. He sends some of the best products of the land to give to Joseph as a present.
He was willing to pay double for any food that was to be purchased.
He wanted the money that was returned for the first batch of food to be given back.
Jacob was praying for God to be compassionate. As we saw last week, God had already shown His compassion through Joseph. In a great act of compassion Joseph chose giving grace to over getting even with his brothers. Jacob knew all about it, yet he was living in fear.
Verse 18 tells us his sons were also living in fear.
They were fearful that they were going to be punished for their sin. They thought, that Joseph thought that they had stolen the money they found in their sacs.
They became even more afraid when they were taken to Joseph’s house. Again, they feared punishment from Joseph thinking that he was going to accuse them and find them guilty for stealing the money.
They were so afraid they could not even wait to talk to Joseph about giving back the returned money; so they talked to one of Joseph servants.
They explained the situation and the servant replied – Do not be afraid, your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks.
Jacob was living in fear. Joseph’s brothers were too.
And sadly, they were all living in fear unnecessarily.
Rather than living in fear, they should have been resting in all of the compassion and grace that was being shown to them by God through Joseph.
I do not believe they were. From what they did not do, we see a second indicator of hearts that are truly changed.
Hearts that are truly changed rest in God’s forgiveness and grace.
Hearts that are truly changed don’t try to make up for sins committed.
Hearts that are truly changed don’t fear punishment.
Hearts that are truly changed rest in God’s forgiveness and grace.
When we as believers say that we have changed and continue to try to make up for our sins, we have not changed.
If we believe that we can do enough good deeds in order to make up for all of our bad deeds, we are sadly mistaken.
God is not an all-calculating accountant in the sky that keeps a balance sheet of our acts of righteousness and our sins, then when we go to him seeking forgiveness says – I’m sorry my child; you need to do some more church going, praying and Bible reading before I can help you.
God is the one and only all-loving God who, when His children come to Him seeking forgiveness, looks at the cross and says the debt for your sin is paid in full.
Hearts that are truly changed rest in God’s forgiveness and grace.
When we as believers say, we have changed and then continue to live in fear of being punished by God for our sins, we have not changed.
If we are constantly looking over our shoulders, expecting God to zap us for our sins, we have not changed.
The Word of God tells us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
It tells us that when we confess our sins, God forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
Does this mean that there are no consequences for our sins? By no means. There are always consequences for our sins, sometimes worse than others.
However, we should not confuse consequences with punishment. Christ took our punishment on the cross.
We no longer have to fear retribution from God for our sin; expect consequences – yes; but fear punishment – no!
God lovingly forgives and disciplines us so that we may be more like Christ.
Hearts that are truly changed rest in God’s forgiveness and grace.
Hearts that are truly changed are ready to accept both responsibility and consequences for sin.
Now let’s look at the third and final indicator of hearts that are truly changed.
It is found in verses 26-34.
The context here is – Joseph’s brothers again see favoritism.
Gen. 43:26-34
26 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and bowed to the ground before him.
27 Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, “Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”
28 They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” They bowed down in homage.
29 As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”
30 Joseph hurried out for he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and wept there.
31 Then he washed his face and came out; and he controlled himself and said, “Serve the meal.”
32 So they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is loathsome to the Egyptians.
33 Now they were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment.
34 He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him.
So once again, Joseph’s brothers see favoritism and they are not the favorites.
In verse 29 Joseph asks God to be gracious to Benjamin. To this point something he has not done to any of the other brothers. He has shown them compassion, but it has been wrapped in harsh treatment.
Verse 34 tells us that Benjamin’s dinner portion was five times as much of that of his brothers.
Would these things cause his brothers to grumble in jealousy? Have his brothers dealt with their jealousy or is it once again about to deal with them?
Remember they still did not know that Joseph could understand their every word. Perhaps they thought they could express jealousy without Joseph knowing what they were saying or doing.
We do not know for sure, but the text seems to indicate that they did not do so.
Verse 34 reads – they feasted and drank freely. In the original Hebrew, this is a phrase that is translated two different ways in the Old Testament. One is “they became drunk.” There is nothing anywhere in Scripture that indicates this is something Joseph would do. I just do not believe this to be the case here. The other way it is translated is as it is here - ‘drank freely’ – indicating ‘with ease’ or ‘without tension or stress’ or ‘in a relaxed manner’. So they were enjoying one another’s company with an atmosphere of ease.
Thus I believe we can conclude that Joseph’s brothers had learned a lesson. This time when they were faced with favoritism, they did not become jealous.
Hearts that are truly changed are revealed by outward actions.
A true change of heart takes place on the inside and only God and the person know whether or not a true change took place.
Others speculate as to whether or one did based upon outward actions.
As Believers, if after having said we are sorry, and then we continue to repeat the same offense over and over again, what will others logically conclude? Of course they will say –no real change has taken place.
On the other hand, when we as believers do not repeat the same sin, or through our actions show we are really trying to change our ways, what will others logically conclude? Generally they will say – a real change has taken place.
We have to be careful here because we can not see the heart, and people can fool us.
However, by and large, if we want to give evidence for others to believe that our hearts are truly changed; we do so by changing our ways.
Internal changes of heart are best demonstrated by external change of behavior.
Hearts that are truly changed are revealed by outward actions.
Joseph’s brothers’ actions seem to indicate, at least in regards to jealousy, their hearts were truly changed.
This morning we have seen three indicators of hearts that are truly changed.
As Christians our number one desire in life should be live Christ-like lives.
Examine your heart before the Lord. Is there an area in which you are struggling?
Maybe it is selfishness, maybe it is anger, maybe it is lust, maybe it is greed, maybe it is telling lies, maybe it is jealousy; whatever it is –
Are you blaming other people or things for your sins?
Are you trying to run and hide from the consequences of your sins?
Perhaps you have not really had a change of heart.
Hearts that are truly changed are ready to accept both responsibility and consequences for sin.
Are you trying to make up for your bad deeds by doing even more good deeds?
Are you living in fear of being punished by God?
Perhaps you have not really had a change of heart.
Hearts that are truly changed rest in God’s forgiveness and grace.
Are you constantly saying sorry and yet continuing to do the very thing for which we said sorry?
Are you saying sorry and yet doing nothing externally to express that you are genuinely trying to change your ways?
Perhaps you have not really had a change of heart.
Hearts that are truly changed are revealed by outward actions.
May we all examine our hearts before God.
May we all have hearts that are truly changed!