Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It
Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
JOSEPH OPENING THE STOREHOUSES
"Joseph opened all the storehouses." (Gen. 41:56).
Remark the bounty of providence in raising up Joseph to save the house of Israel, yea, and the whole world, from famishing. Then note the greatness of sovereign grace in raising up Jesus to save His people, and to be God's salvation to the ends of the earth. Joseph had beforehand filled the vast storehouses, and our text shows us how he used the store-"Joseph opened all the storehouses." How much more has been done by Jesus! Oh, to be partakers of his grace.
I. JOSEPH OPENED THE STOREHOUSES BY ROYAL AUTHORITY.
1. The King was only to be approached through Joseph. (Verse 55). So with Jesus. (John 14:6).
2. The king commanded that Joseph should be obeyed. (Verse 55). (John 6:23).
3. In all the land no other could open a storehouse save Joseph. (John 8:35).
II. JOSEPH WAS A FIT PERSON To OPEN THE STOREHOUSES.
1. He planned the storehouses, and was justly appointed to control\ them. See verses 33 to 36 and 38. (Heb. 1:1-3).
2. He did it on a noble scale. (Verse 49).
3. He had wisdom to distribute well.
The parallel is easily drawn, for now Lord Jesus is that Housekeeper, one of a thousand, who has provided for our soul's famine. (Col. 1:19; John 1:16).
III. JOSEPH ACTUALLY OPENED THE STOREHOUSES.
1. For this purpose he filled them. Grace is meant to be used.
2. He opened them at a fit time. (Verses 65, 56).
3. He kept them open while the famine lasted. They were never closed while a hungering applicant drew near.
IV. JOSEPH OPENED THE STOREHOUSES TO ALL COMERS.
1. Many people came from far for food. (Verse 57).
2. We read of none being sent empty away.
Yet Joseph did but sell while Jesus gives without money. Will you not come to Him for heavenly bread?
William Bridge says: "There 'a enougn in Jesus Christ to serve us all. If two, or six, or twenty men be athirst, and they go to drink out of a bottle, while one is drinking, the other envies, because he thinks there will not be enough for him too; but if a hundred beathirst, and go to the river, while one is drinking, the other envies not, because there is enough to serve them all."
"An the spiritual blessings wherewith the Church is enriched are in and by Christ. The apostle instances some of the choicest: Eph. 1:3. Our election is by Him (verse 4). Our adoption is by Him (verse 5). Our redemption and remission of sins are both through Him. All the gracious transactions between God and His people are through Christ. God loves us through Christ; He hears our prayers through Christ; He forgives us all our sins through Christ.
"Through Christ He justifies us; through Christ He sanctifies us; through Christ He upholds us; through Christ, He perfects us. All His relations to us are through Christ; all we have is from Christ; all we expect to have hangs upon Him. He is the golden hinge upon which all our salvation turns."—RALPH ROBINSON.
Sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
