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If ever a man had reason to be bitter, it was Joseph. His family had badly mistreated him for a dream that in fact turned out to be precisely correct. He had every right to get back at his brothers, but he didn't. He was able to recognize the fact that God was shaping him for ministry. Before he could take his place as a leader and savior of a nation, Joseph had to experience first the ignominy of being a slave and a prisoner. God had him face tremendous difficulties to prepare him for greatness.
Joseph is a major Old Testament character about whom nothing negative is ever recorded in Scripture. He was a man who submitted to the providential direction of God in his life and, in doing so, preserved the descendants of Jacob through whom the Redeemer of man would come. Covers selected Scriptures.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
We live in a "no-fault" world. It is difficult to convince people today that they are responsible for their actions. It's much easier to blame society, parents, our childhood environment, or other circumstances. Joseph chose not to let circumstances limit his prospects for success. Covers Genesis 37:1-11.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
An old saying is often heard: "We can do this the hard way or the easy way." Jacob chose the hard way. God intended to bless Jacob, but he wasn't willing to wait for God's time and place. By forging ahead in his own strength, Jacob didn't come to know God until near the end of his life. Covers Genesis 28-35.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
It is a natural reaction, when hearing a message that makes us uncomfortable, to shoot the messenger. That's what Joseph's brothers did. They didn't like the message that he would one day rule over them, so they got rid of him. But God preserved the message and the messenger. Covers Genesis 37:12-26.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
The story of Joseph begins well in Genesis 37. Then it seems the story disappears in Genesis 38. Believing that with God there is always a reason, careful study reveals why Genesis 38, though not about Joseph, is critical to the story of providence of which Joseph is the man character.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
Joseph might be considered a wimp today since he turned down two opportunities that many men would embrace: the chance to use prosperity for personal gain and sacrifice purity for personal satisfaction. In spite of those temptations, Joseph remained true to himself and his God. Covers Genesis 39:1-12.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
There are modern theories of ethics that say, "If your goals are good, no one is hurt, and if your motivation is love, then you are free to do whatever you want." Joseph didn't let his situation determine his ethics. He maintained his beliefs regardless of how the circumstances changed. Covers Genesis 39:13-23.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
It has been said that trouble doesn't determine character-- it reveals it. And for that reason trouble should be seen as a valued friend. It is only during difficulties that we have the chance to see who we really are. Joseph's character was proven during his two years in an Egyptian prison. Covers Genesis 40:1-23.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
Many Christians focus a lot of spiritual and emotional energy on discerning the will of God for their lives. Joseph focused mainly on being faithful in the moment and leaving the long-range details to God. As a result, God's perfect will for Josephs life, and Jacob's family, was accomplished. Covers Genesis 41:1-45.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
Part of the unbiblical sacred/secular dichotomy is the idea that ministers in the church are those who bear the title. The biblical truth is that every Christian is a minister. The story of Joseph in Egypt shows how God providentially prepares a ministry for those who live in his will. Covers Genesis 41:37-57.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
Time covers the sins of the past until something triggers our guilty conscience. Then we relive the pain we thought we had escaped. When Joseph's brothers went to Egypt, unexplained events made them remember their guilt--events which would eventually lead them to true repentance. Covers Genesis 42:1-28.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
Sometimes repentance takes place in a moment of time in one giant step. But most often it comes as a result of a thawing of a heart frozen solid against God. Little by little the heart begins to be moved by God's grace or compassion or generosity. That's what happened to the hearts of Joseph's brothers in the presence of his love. Covers Genesis 42:29-43:34.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
Because we live in a hurry-up culture where we expect things to happen quickly, we sometimes get impatient with the pace at which God works. God moves in a way that allows us to learn slowly and surely so we can reach conclusions that are meaningful to us as well as to Him. Covers Genesis 44:1-34.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
If non-Christians could experience what it means to know Christ before actually knowing Him, they would waste no time in believing in Him. When Christ is revealed, everything changes. And so did everything change with Joseph's brothers when they saw him for the first time. Covers Genesis 45:1-15.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
There is probably no question asked as frequently as, "Why am I here? What is my purpose in life?" God has a purpose that He will reveal for every person as we seek Him though His Word. In spite of obstacles over many years, God's purpose for Jacob's life was finally realized. Covers Genesis 45:16-46:27.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
Marriage, and therefore family, was God's first institution--established prior to the entrance of sin and thereby assuming a permanent priority in God's economy. Joseph demonstrated his understanding of that priority as he cared for his own family, especially his father, in Egypt. Covers Genesis 46:8-34 & 50:1-13.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
Our first prayer in a crisis is usually for God to remove it or remove us. But there is another option: for God to allow us to manage the crisis instead of it managing us. That's what Joseph did when facing crises in his his life. Crises didn't make Joseph godly; rather, they revealed his godliness. Covers Genesis 47:13-26.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
We live in a youth-obsessed culture that will use any method to avoid the advance of old age. Such a perspective misses the benefits of old age--specifically, recognizing the hand of God along the way. Jacob was one who saw God's hand and was thankful for it at the end of his life. Covers Genesis 48:1-22.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
It's hard to see the spiritual connections that run from one generation to the next. The Bible says that the behavior of the one individual can affect the lives of many who are not yet born. Two of Jacob's sons proved this to be true--fortunately for one, unfortunately for the other. Covers Genesis 49:1-33.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
Some expressions reveal a shallow understanding of sin and forgiveness: "Forget about it--It was nothing," or, "I'll forgive, but I'll never forget!" Only those who can see sin the way God sees it and are willing to sacrifice to cover it can forgive and be forgiven. Joseph was one who did. Covers Genesis 50:14-21.
From the series God Meant it For Good.
