8. Joseph: God Has A Plan

Introduction

Abraham had a son named Isaac. Isaac had a son named Jacob. Jacob had an encounter with God, and God changed his name to Israel. Jacob/Israel had twelve sons who became the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel. Today, we’re going to look at the story of one of those sons, Joseph.

Joseph’s Story in Clothing

Scene 1 (Gen 37): The “coat of many colors” that Jacob gave Joseph but that caused his brothers to hate him with jealousy. They stripped his robe from him, threw him into a pit, trafficked him into slavery, dipped his robe in goat’s blood, and used it as false evidence to claim that Joseph was dead.

Scene 2 (Gen 39): Joseph rose to a prominent position as a slave in Potiphar’s house. But when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, he ran away, leaving his cloak behind in her hand. She used his robe as false evidence to accuse Joseph of trying to rape her. Potiphar threw Joseph into prison.

Scene 3 (Gen 40:1-8, 20-23; 41:1-8, 14-16, 37-42): Joseph rises to prominence in prison. Eventually, he correctly interprets the dreams of two of Pharaoh’s officials. This leads to an opportunity to interpret a dream of Pharaoh’s. Pharaoh is so impressed with Joseph, he gives him fine linen clothes, Pharaoh’s own signet ring, a gold chain, and makes him second-in-command of all Egypt.

Scene 4: Joseph stores grain during the prosperous years and distributes grain during the famine years. He ends up being reunited with his brothers and his dad, and he relocates them to Egypt so they will have food during the famine.

Scene 5 (Gen 50:14-21): Joseph forgives and reassures his brothers. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.”

Big Idea

Sometimes, things seem to go against you, even when you’ve done nothing wrong. But God has a plan. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people. But God has the power to bring good out of evil.

Implications

How do we persevere through injustice/hardship/suffering with our faith in tact? Three “don’ts” and a “do.”

Don’t look for security in things that aren’t secure. Don’t put your hope in things that provide no hope.

Don’t build your sense of value on things that are depreciating, or passing away. “The foolish man builds his house upon the sand.” ~ Jesus

Explanation

Joseph repeatedly was given status and prominence, only to have it stripped away through false accusations and violence.

Understand where your security comes from: not position, status, title, degree, followers, influence, success, bank account, or trophies. And definitely not from politicians!

Applications

Psalm 146:3-10.

1 John 2:15-17.

Don’t give in to temptation. Don’t fall into the trap of sin.

Explanation

Joseph was a model of integrity and self-control. Even though evil had been done against him, he did not give in to the temptation to sin. “How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God” (Gen 39:9).

I know when things are hard, when depression hits, when the diagnosis comes, when your friend betrays you, when the pain just won’t go away… the devil comes and whispers in your ear, “You deserve it. Just do it.”

Sin will only make the problem worse!

Application

Colossians 3:5… “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.” ~ John Piper

You don’t have to say yes to temptation—you have the Holy Spirit of God in you!

Don’t fixate on yourself and your problems. Stop navel-gazing!

Explanation

In spite of all the injustice against him, Joseph didn’t wallow in self-pity. He constantly looked for how he could serve others wherever he was—in the field, as a slave, in prison, and as the most powerful man under Pharaoh in all of Egypt!

Joseph had the power to exact revenge on his guilty brothers. But instead he forgave them (Gen 50:19-21).

Illustration: When I was student teaching, “1-2-3, Eyes on me… 1-2, Eyes on you.”

Application: Perspective makes all the difference in the world (Gen 50:20).

Do remember that God has a plan. Remember that God brings good out of evil.

Genesis 50:20… Joseph: Powerful position to save people / prison / falsely accused / trafficked into slavery / jealous brothers.

Romans 8:28 (NLT) 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

God used Joseph to save the world from starvation. God might not use you to save the world. But he might use you to save a soul.

Don’t look for security in things that aren’t secure.

Don’t give in to temptation.

Don’t fixate on yourself and your problems.

Remember that God has a plan. God brings good out of evil. God turns the tide. God works all things—even the bad things—together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his glorious purpose. Stand with Jesus!