Learning from Joseph's Life
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JOSEPH
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Started with a somewhat "easier" life
less prepared for trouble in his life
Betrayal by brothers
one can see that this would be the lowest of the low, no way out (imagine it)
sometimes we can be there physically
other times we can be there spiritually (sometimes by our own doing)
bought by slave traders
this seems to be going from bad to worse
its easy to abandon God during times like these, as many do
during these times our true character shows
what is at the core in our heart
ENDURANCE, TOUGHNESS, CONSISTENCY - if we're not willing/able to be tough, who really are we?
Encounter with potiphar's wife - not only toughness, but resistance
who do we want to please? / who DO we plase?
joseph resisted in the face of punishment and persecution - stood up to further hardship
sent to prison - kept a good spirit
we have every reason to be able to keep a good spirit about us
there is much more than this physical life to care about and look forward to
Suddenly, blessed with the dream situation in an unlikely circumstance - we never know and cannot assume
there is no reason to ever give up
brought out of prison and up to royalty (explain)- incredible turn around that only God can do, if we just depend on Him
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, Even with the princes of his people.
the responsibility of Joseph with what God had given him
this shows his attitude and thankfulness
another rubber meets the roat situation - we saw what he did with nothing, now we see what he did with everything
Joseph used his position for the good of the people
we are called to be servants and to be the light of the world
people are suffering, pepole need us
can cause exponsential growth
what are we doing with our position? would have been easy for joseph to just sit back
a chance for revenge
his betrayers come to him for food - how easy would it be to deny them
perspective, priorities, and persistence are what made joseph who he was in God and able to deny the flesh
he foragve his brothers, something which would have surely been hard to do, and something we are called to do
What man ment for evil, God meant for good
we never know God's plan (end of Job reference)
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? Or who hath stretched the line upon it?
we have a simple job - trust God and keep His commands
God has a purpose for our life - are we living up to it?
Joseph's life not only saved his brothers and those in egypt, it laid the foundation for the rest of the history of God's people
we never know what our purpose could be.
What are we like when the rubber meets the road?
when we're down
when we're up
when it comes to what we live for
when it comes to fulfilling our purpose