THE HARD KNOCKS FAMILY REUNION

GENESIS 46

Pastor Rick Jackson

We have been teaching on the various "schools" of "hard knocks" that Joseph attended and eventually how he educated his brothers but their father Jacob had a degree or two in hard knocks as well. Here we find a Hard Knocks Homecoming coupled with a family reunion where everybody is present!

I. THE STATE OF ISRAEL [v. 1-6]

Now we are not referring to the state of Israel in the sense of the country of Israel but rather the condition of Israel the man, his state of mind and soul. It was this type of state Paul had in mind in the book of Philippians
2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.
2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.
4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1. ISRAEL'S RESPONSE [45:28, 46:1]

Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Isaiah 58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

2. ISRAEL'S REMINDER [46:2-4, 28:10-15]

3. ISRAEL'S RECEPTION [46:5-6]

Acts 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
1 Thessalonians 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

II. THE STOCK OF ISRAEL [v. 7-27]

1. THE CHILDREN OF LEAH [v. 7-15]

2. THE CHILDREN OF ZILPAH [v. 16-18]

3. THE CHILDREN OF RACHEL [v. 19-22]

4. THE CHILDREN OF BILHAH [v. 23-27]

III. THE SATISFACTION OF ISRAEL [v. 28-34]

Psalm 90:14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

1. THE RESTORATION OF TRUST [v. 28]

2. THE REUNION OF HEARTS [v. 29-30]

3. THE RESPECT OF AN EXPLANATION [v. 31-34]