"Where was God?" - Defeating Victimhood in the heart of a Christian

Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Joseph’s life is a life filled with God’s providence. Note no miracles in the course of this story. Nothing supernatural. All is provided by God through the natural channels of life and basic interaction. Thus, this experience should ring true for our lives today. God still provides (Matthew 6:25-34).

We have a CULTURE of victimhood in our day. Offense is easily taken on all sides. Identity Politics is the spearhead of most public social commentary. Let’s consider the example of Joseph and how he dealt with truly being a victim at every turn.

Joseph was a victim of envy.

His brothers know their father’s favoritism - Genesis 37:3-4

See a special gift given to Joseph by their father (coat of many colors).

They understand (as text says) that their father loves Joseph more than any of them.

Cannot speak peaceably with their younger brother.

Situation where EVERY conversation is on edge.

The brothers’ envy grows each day - Genesis 37:5-11

Joseph apparently is oblivious to his brothers’ hatred of him. Shares his dreams with them - dreams that are easy to interpret. Perhaps he himself did not really know what the dreams meant.

They think the dreams are nonsense, and revile him even more because of them. (straw on camel’s back).

Jacob even warns Joseph about it, but keeps the matter in his mind.

Joseph sold for 20 shekels of silver - Genesis 37:12-14, 18-24, 28

Only Reuben helps Joseph avoid death.

While Reuben is away (29), the other brothers sell Joseph to Midianite traders among the Ishmaelites.

“Where was God when Joseph needed him?” “How could a just and righteous God allow Joseph to be treated this way by his brothers and sold into slavery?”

Joseph was a victim of deceit.

Joseph sold into the service of Potiphar, an Egyptian - Genesis 37:36; 39:1, 4-6

An officer and captain of Pharaoh’s guard, Potiphar is an important man.

Joseph does so well in his work that he rises to the title of overseer of Potiphar’s house.

Trusts him to the point that he leaves everything to him; doesn’t even know what he has except the food he eats (6).

Potiphar’s wife seeks Joseph in another way - Genesis 39:7-15

Even though this is a great blessing to Joseph, it gave possibility to temptation.

Potiphar’s wife longs after Joseph, and seeks intercourse.

Instead of making up an excuse, or giving in to the sin, Joseph stands firm! He CANNOT do this great wickedness and sin against GOD.

NOTE: NOT concerned primarily with Potiphar in this, but with God! Yet, his concern for God means he treats Potiphar exactly as he should.

To slaves- Ephesians 6:7 NKJV - with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,

Potiphar’s wife does not give up, and keeps trying. Eventually, it turns into a dangerous situation.

Joseph wrongly imprisoned - Genesis 39:17-20

Potiphar’s wife lies to Potiphar about Joseph. This lie leads to Joseph being imprisoned.

“Where was God when Joseph was imprisoned?” “He did nothing wrong, and fled from temptation!”

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

Joseph was a victim of injustice and ingratitude.

Innocent, yet put among prisoners - Genesis 39:20

Charged not with being a lazy slave, but a shameful charge - molesting Potiphar’s wife.

Many can fall foul of unjust charges even today. Not everyone in prison deserves to be there.

Interprets the dreams of the Butler and Baker - Genesis 40:2-4, 8, 14, 20-23

Butler and Baker placed in the charge of Joseph.

Both have dreams in the same night, and are sad because they don’t understand what they mean.

Joseph gives credit to God and helps interpret their dreams.

The Butler will be restored to service in 3 days

The Baker will be put to death in 3 days

Joseph asks the butler to remember him when he returns to Pharaoh’s service.

The butler forgets Joseph.

After two years, Joseph is freed - Genesis 41:1, 9, 12, 16, 46

Interprets Pharaoh’s dream - 7 years of plenty, 7 years of famine

Advises Pharaoh to find a manager to help stock up.

Pharaoh chooses Joseph for this job.

During the famine, the family of Israel is reunited - Genesis 45:1-8; 50:17-21

Joseph’s position ensures that his family is blessed.

God gave him this position.

Instead of using his leverage to exact retribution against his brothers, he forgives them and provides for them.

Is not not what Jesus does?

When we are victims, we should be like Joseph.

Consider all the times God was THERE in Joseph’s life.

After enslavement - Genesis 39:2

Genesis 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

After imprisonment - Genesis 39:21-23

Genesis 39:21-23 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph's authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.

After injustice and ingratitude - Genesis 41:38-41

Genesis 41:38-41 And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. "You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."

Where is God when YOU need Him?

Exodus 14:10-14 - God’s people have often and DO often complain. We need to leave the battle up to the LORD.

Isaiah 40:28-31 - If we do not know this, we are missing out on something that is easy to know!

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Psalm 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Do not underestimate God.

Disappointments turn into blessings; Sadness to Spiritual Strength; Poverty to Humility; Giving to honor.

When God gives an opportunity to bear a burden, do not disappoint Him. He gave this burden for a blessing. It was meant for good. We can use it that way.

The choice of how we bear our burdens (for good or for evil) is entirely up to us. We will be judged on this basis.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.