The Whole Story
Genesis 50
God’s plan to bless the world through
Abraham’s descendants brings us to Joseph, Abraham’s great-grandson. Joseph has
quite the testimony. You could say that Joseph's story goes from prison to the
palace, but even that wouldn’t entirely cover all that God did in Joseph’s
life.
Joseph started life as the favorite son of
Jacob, Abraham’s grandson. Joseph's favored status led to him being quite the
obnoxious little brother. One time, around the family breakfast table, Joseph
told his entire family how God intended to make all of them bow down to him one
day. Talk about a way to ensure sibling rivalry takes hold. Of course, Joseph’s
brothers didn’t take kindly to Joseph’s favored status or his willingness to
assert himself as their superior. So, what did they do? They sold him into slavery!
Slave traders sold Joseph into a high-ranking
official's house in Egypt. There, Joseph flourished because God was with him.
Eventually, Joseph became the chief official in Potiphar’s house. That lasted
until Potiphar’s wife lied and told everyone that Joseph had tried to sleep
with her. After that, Joseph found himself kicked back down into chains. In an
Egyptian prison, Joseph again flourished because God was with him. In due time,
Joseph rose to become the chief official of the prison. Through God’s timing,
he eventually made his way before Pharaoh and showed himself to be a man of exceptional
wisdom. Joseph rose and flourished in Pharaoh's court because God was with him.
Joseph became the highest-ranking official in all of Egypt.
When Joseph reached the palace, his brothers
came to Egypt looking for food. Through the providential hand of God, the book
of Genesis closes with Joseph's dream coming to fruition, his whole family
bowing at his feet, honoring him.
Joseph’s testimony is a powerful reminder of
the sovereignty of God, but if you read it closely, you might see that God’s
faithfulness is even greater than you can imagine. If you look hard enough, you
might see the story of a favored son who, through trial and tribulation, went
ahead of his sinful brothers so that he might save them. If you look closely,
you might see Joseph pointing us to Jesus.
Bottom Line:
Trust in God’s providence leads to a life of
conviction.
God’s Plan Always Includes: Forgiveness, Trust,
and Redemption
SERMON RECAP
Genesis 37 - 50 are some of the most
frustrating, heartbreaking, and encouraging chapters in all the Bible. These
chapters highlight the reality of God’s sovereignty in life and show that when
our lives are out of control God is still in control.
Joseph’s life was not defined by what was
done to him but how God had been with him. In a world that encourages the
victim’s mentality, it is imperative to remember that we are not what has been
done to us. We are identified by who we belong to!
Redemption is seen most clearly when the
offended party chooses to forgo revenge in favor or redemption. This is what
Joseph does for his brothers. Though he had been wronged by them, he chooses to
love and forgive rather than get even.
Read Genesis 50:14-26 and make observations
about the text.
FOCUS TEXT:
Genesis 50:15-21
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. 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? 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. 21 So do not fear; I
will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus, he comforted them and spoke
kindly to them.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
How does Genesis 50:20 ("You meant evil
against me, but God meant it for good.") illustrate God's redemptive plan,
and how does this apply to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection?
In Genesis 50:19-21, Joseph reassures his
brothers with words of grace. How does this parallel Jesus' response to
sinners, particularly in Luke 23:34 ("Father, forgive them, for they know
not what they do.")?
What does Joseph's forgiveness of his
brothers teach us about Christ’s ultimate act of redemption on the cross?
How does Joseph’s ability to see God’s plan
beyond his suffering (Genesis 50:20) challenge us to trust God’s purpose in our
own trials?
How can we actively live out the principle of
redemption and forgiveness in our daily lives, following the example of both
Joseph and Christ?
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