Genesis 50:19-21

Have you ever noticed that some of the biggest objections to Christianity and the idea of God are not spiritual, they’re personal? For instance, most people don’t object to the idea of God because they haven’t seen someone walk on water or see Mill Lake part in two. They object to the idea of God, and specifically Christianity, because of personal reasons, such as, “If God exists, why did this happen to me?”

The story of Joseph answers this dilemma and confronts the kind of thinking that understands a God who is supposed to be, and truly is, good on one hand, and the reality of cruelty, evil, and suffering on the other. And the way Joseph’s story does this is by showing us this single truth about God and the Bible: when bad things happen, God is probably doing his best work.

So let’s get up to speed on what happening in the story:

Exegesis of

As I see it, there are three things Joseph does that distinguishes him as a man whose heart has been changed by God’s grace. He…

Genesis 50:19 ESV

But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?

“But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?’”

The truth Joseph’s statement is telling us is that anyone who is holding on to anger because someone has wronged them is sitting in the place of God. Now, perhaps you might say, “Well, this is true, but what if the person who wronged me isn’t sorry?” To this, we must remember that neither were Joseph’s brothers. See, Joseph’s brothers were scared of the consequences of their actions. Up to this point, they still hadn’t learned to trust in Joseph’s forgiveness. That’s why when their father died, they got all worried and thought to themselves that Joseph would now turn his back on them. So they lied in order to gain Joseph’s approval. But notice how Joseph doesn’t even inquire about their silly story. Rather, he recognizes that he’s not in a place to render judgement on his brothers.

But this is a sobering question to ask ourselves: am I in the place of God? Most definitely, holding on to a grudge is a sure way to take up the place of God.

Sermon Illustration on Humility and Not Holding A Grudge

But how was Joseph able to get to a place where he could forgive and not hold on to a grudge...

Genesis 50:20 ESV

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

“’As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.’”

…Joseph had a perspective that his brothers didn’t. And when you have God’s perspective on circumstances, you’re able to see beyond the frustrations of the present in order to trust God for the future.

This is the equivalent of when Jace and I go on road trips. One such road trip was in Venice this year. Now, if you’re not aware, the road system in Venice is less of a “system” and more of a maze. The streets don’t have names, are about 6 feet wide, they curve, run into each other, and actively seek to get foreigners lost. But there’s hope! (At least there was for me). You see, I utilized this incredible program called Google Maps. Google Maps is a birds eye view of the entire road system in Venice - and because of it, we were able to get where we intended to go.

However, I feel that I should offer a few caveats here:

Joseph is not being a pessimist

This is an obvious point, but a necessary one because Joseph isn’t saying, “Hey, the evil you intended for me actually worked to make me the second most important person on planet earth right now!” What Joseph says is, “What you intended as evil against me actually spared the lives of many people because of this terrible drought that’s happening!” But moreover...

Joseph is not being an optimist

In other words, he’s not denying the fact that his brothers hurt him, and he’s not saying that he tried to make the best of a bad situation. Joseph see’s God actively at work in the worst of circumstances.

See, the view from the top says God can and does work bad situations into a means to show redemption and mercy. But the view from the bottom says that it’s hopeless! So ultimately, Joseph isn’t being pessimistic, nor’ is he being optimistic’ he’s being God-timistic! (Ok, I’ll stop…)

Sermon Illustration about the “twists-and-turns” of my life: God working out the best in negative situations.

But Joseph shows us one more piece of evidence that tells us he is a man whose life is changed because of God’s grace

This is an obvious point, but a necessary one because Joseph isn’t saying, “Hey, the evil you intended for me actually worked to make me the second most important person on planet earth right now!” What Joseph says is, “What you intended as evil against me actually spared the lives of many people because of this terrible drought that’s happening!” But moreover...

In other words, he’s not denying the fact that his brothers hurt him, and he’s not saying that he tried to make the best of a bad situation. Joseph actively see’s God at work in the worst of circumstances.

Joseph is not being an optimist

In other words, he’s not denying the fact that his brothers hurt him, and he’s not saying that he tried to make the best of a bad situation. Joseph actively see’s God at work in the worst of circumstances.

See, the view from the top says God can and does work bad situations into a means to show redemption and mercy. But the view from the bottom says that it’s hopeless! So ultimately, Joseph isn’t being pessimistic, nor’ is he being optimistic’ he’s being God-timistic! (Ok, I’ll stop…)

Sermon Illustration about the “twists-and-turns” of my life: God working out the best in negative situations.

But Joseph shows us one more piece of evidence that tells us he is a man whose life is changed because of God’s grace

Genesis 50:21 ESV

So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

“’So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.’’

In spite of everything Joseph’s brothers have done for him, Joseph chooses to provide for them and their families; that is, in language familiar to Jesus and the Gospels, he loves his enemies.

Matthew 5:43–48 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43–45 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 5:43-

The fact is, none of us can wake up one day and just decide to love those who have wronged us. That’s far too difficult to do. Rather, I believe that Joseph was able to do this because he had done the first two points. That is, because Joseph was humble enough to avoid God’s chair, and confident enough in God’s perspective and ability to work the worst of circumstances out in redemptive ways, he was able to love his enemies. And I believe it’s no different for us today: if you’re going to love your neighbours as well as your enemies (and most of the time, they are both!), you’re going to have to have enormous humility and confidence in God’s abilities.

Genesis 50:19-21

Body

Avoids God’s Chair

Takes God’s View

Images God’s Love

Conclusion

Conclusion