Life of Joseph Week 20

God Meant It For Good

Genesis 50:14-21

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever lost your cool?– blown up?

As good as that feels at the moment, it usually isn’t right.

Joseph had every reason to loose it and take vengeance.

Genesis 50 shows a change of life for Joseph.

Father dies and brothers fear revenge.

Believed Joseph just protected them for his father’s sake.

Genesis 50:15-17 “15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.”

They sent a servant to Joseph with a made-up statement.

Used the weight of their father. “Dad said you better....”

Joseph wept.

Not because of their sin but because they refused to accept his forgiveness.

Forgiveness is never any better than our ability to receive it.

Joseph’s reply to his brothers is a model to help us know how to deal with forgiveness in our own lives and how to resist the urge to go after those who hurt us.

How to Forgive When Other’s Fail Us

I. A Realistic Appraisal of Sin

A. Genesis 50:18-19 “18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?”

1. Notice that Joseph did not say, “Aw, forget it. It was nothing.”

a. He did not underplay the actual sin.

b. True forgiveness can never be offered until there is an acknowledgment that a trespass has been committed.

c. Cheap forgiveness is not forgiveness at all.

2. Apology and forgiveness are not the same.

a. An apology is being sorry.

(1) Usually sorry for getting caught.

(2) “Oh, well, I don’t think it’s such a big deal, but if you insist, I apologize.”

(3) Sin requires confession and repentance.

B. 4 Levels of Repentance.

1. Level of Perception

= we realize we’ve done something wrong.

2. Level of Feeling

= We feel the pain we have inflicted.

3. Level of Confession

= we admit we realize we’ve done something wrong.

4. Level of Promise

= we genuinely commit to not repeat the wrong action again.

C. When Joseph was confronted by his brothers, and they admitted their sin, note that he never minimizes the action. He recognizes the sin for what it is, so that the brothers understand his hurt.

II. A Realistic Appreciation of the Sovereignty of God

A. Genesis 50:20 “20 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.”

1. His brothers intended evil, God intended good.

B. God can use the evil of the world in a positive way.

1. What they meant to do is not the most important thing.

2. God took their evil and turned it around, make it something good.

3. Joseph understood that God is sovereign, so nothing happens to us without Him knowing it. He is in control, even when things seem completely messed up.

4. Don’t ask “why?” Ask “Lord, how does all this fit into your plan?”

C. Joseph saw God working in every part of his life.

1. This reveals an intimacy with God.

2. Everything in life was viewed through the lens of God’s will.

a. He interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and gave God credit.

b. When he introduced his sons he told they were the sons God gave him.

c. At his death bed he encouraged those around him that “God will surely visit you.”

III. A Refusal to Replace God in Their Lives

A. “Am I in the place of God?” (19)– Joseph asked his brothers.

1. If punishment was to be meted out, it would have to come from an all-wise and just God.

2. Vengeance belongs to God, not us.

3. He refused to use his brothers’ guilt to manipulate or intimidate them.

a. When you get in a position to get even– DON’T

4. Genesis 45:5-8 “5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.”

B. As Joseph looked back over his life, he could now see the purpose behind the pain. The Lord’s purpose was to save the nation of Israel, and He had accomplished it through all the events of Joseph’s life.

IV. A Realistic Application of Human Sensitivity

A. The forgiver should always be sensitive.

B. Joseph weeps at their request.

1. His heart was broken for them.

2. Genesis 50:19 “19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?”

a. He speaks with words of tender endearment.

3. Genesis 50:21 “21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

a. Encourages his brothers and tries to comfort them.

C. Joseph forgave them with actions of love, sensitivity, and tenderness.

CONCLUSION

Forgiveness involves a realistic appraisal of sin, a realistic appreciation of God’s sovereignty, a refusal to replace God in the lives of others, and a realistic application of human sensitivity. The sweetness and sensitivity of Joseph set an example for all of us to follow.