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(Genesis) Genesis 42:1-6
J. Vernon McGee

John Vernon McGee (1904 - 1988). American Presbyterian pastor, radio teacher, and author born in Hillsboro, Texas. Converted at 14, he earned a bachelor’s from Southwestern University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Columbia Seminary. Ordained in 1933, he pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, and California, notably at Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles from 1949 to 1970, growing it to 3,000 members. In 1967, he launched Thru the Bible, a radio program teaching the entire Bible verse-by-verse over five years, now airing in 100 languages across 160 countries. McGee authored over 200 books, including Genesis to Revelation commentaries. Known for his folksy, Southern style, he reached millions with dispensationalist teachings. Married to Ruth Inez Jordan in 1936, they had one daughter. Despite throat cancer limiting his later years, he recorded thousands of broadcasts. His program and writings continue to shape evangelical Bible study globally.
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In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Joseph and his brothers during the time of famine. Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, is now the governor of Egypt and in charge of distributing food during the famine. When Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy corn, they bow down before him, fulfilling the dream Joseph had previously shared with them. Jacob, their father, sends them to Egypt to buy corn after hearing that there is food available. He acts on this information, demonstrating faith by believing and taking action. However, Jacob does not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with them out of fear that harm may come to him.
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Now, will you notice, verse 1 again, Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? You see, they were looking each other doleful, not knowing where to turn or what to do. And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt. By the way, this illustrates this matter of faith. A great many people say, Faith is so mysterious to me, and I don't know how to believe. I had a man in, the fact of the matter is, he didn't want to believe. How can I believe? Now, will you notice here how Jacob believed? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt. Get you down thither, and buy for us from fence that we may live and not die. He had heard something, he believed it, that would bring life to them, and he acted on it. That's what saving faith is. Somebody says, How can I believe in Jesus? Can you imagine Jacob standing there before these ten sons and say, Well, I've heard that there is corn down in Egypt, but how in the world am I going to believe it? Well, the way to believe it is to act upon it. The Lord Jesus said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. You hear something, you believe it. And that's what this man did. That's the way he got corn that brought life to them. That's the way we get eternal life, is through faith in Christ. Now notice, And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren, for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him. Well, suppose mischief befalls the other ten boys. Well, they're older to begin with, and if you want to know the truth, it wouldn't hurt him as much to have lost one of them. Now will you notice, he keeps Benjamin with him, but he doesn't keep the others. He sends all ten of the others. Notice verse 5, Now, and the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came for the famine was in the land of Canaan. Now we come to this dramatic moment. Will you notice it? And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brethren came and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. Now Joseph has been watching for them. He knew they have to come, and there have been delegations there from all over the inhabited earth of that day. The famine was worldwide, and so he watches. Then lo and behold, here come ten boys, ten young men, and they all bowed down before him, got right down on their faces before Joseph. Joseph looks at those boys. He knows them. You wonder what he thought of. By the way, what do you think of? Remember the dream he had when he said that your sheeps will bow to my sheep? Well, here it's taken place. They're all down on their faces.
(Genesis) Genesis 42:1-6
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John Vernon McGee (1904 - 1988). American Presbyterian pastor, radio teacher, and author born in Hillsboro, Texas. Converted at 14, he earned a bachelor’s from Southwestern University, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a D.D. from Columbia Seminary. Ordained in 1933, he pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, and California, notably at Church of the Open Door in Los Angeles from 1949 to 1970, growing it to 3,000 members. In 1967, he launched Thru the Bible, a radio program teaching the entire Bible verse-by-verse over five years, now airing in 100 languages across 160 countries. McGee authored over 200 books, including Genesis to Revelation commentaries. Known for his folksy, Southern style, he reached millions with dispensationalist teachings. Married to Ruth Inez Jordan in 1936, they had one daughter. Despite throat cancer limiting his later years, he recorded thousands of broadcasts. His program and writings continue to shape evangelical Bible study globally.