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The Power of an Introduction

March 2, 2008

Scripture:

Genesis 45:1-8 - Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers.  And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.  And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.  But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.  For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.  And God sent me before you to preserve posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”

Synopsis:

When we meet people for the first time it is customary to introduce ourselves.  Depending on the situation, we may simply say, “Hi, I’m so-and-so.”  If the occasion is a bit more formal we may say, “Allow me to introduce myself, my name is so-and-so.”Whatever the occasion, introduction is important because it is a fresh start that makes a first impression and opens the door to new opportunities.  An introduction doesn’t tell our life’s story or reveal the content of our character, but it does give a reference point from which to begin anew. 

Because it is a book about life, the Bible is a book of introductions.  In our text we find Joseph introducing himself to his brothers for the first time after many years of rejection, pain, and disappointment as well as God’s favor, protection and provision.  Joseph could have dredged up the past and condemned his brothers to death out of a heart of bitterness and hatred, but he chose to forgive them and introduce a new beginning for them and himself.  Joseph could not have done this if God hadn’t revealed to him his true identity, telling him not only who he was but why he was.  Through every chapter of his life story, Joseph refuse to let his present circumstances or the opinions of others determine his identity.  He didn’t see each chapter as the end of his story, but an opportunity to make a new introduction. 

For those who believe in God and the plan He has for their lives, there must be a determination to see each problem and trial in life from Joseph’s perspective; as an opportunity for a new introduction to deliverance, promotion and spiritual growth.