Today we come to the close of our series looking at chapters 45 to 50. Where we see the great welcome and forgiveness of Jospeh to His brothers. We see the provision He gives to them and His Father. Yet there is something that Joseph can’t do for them. He cannot make them fully believe in His forgiveness only they can do that. As we look from this story to Christ we must also ask if we are living in the fullness of His work in us? For we are imperfect yet He perfectly welcomes all who come to Him.
Joseph has now been through many stages on His life including betrayal, slavery, prison for something He didn’t do, to leading Egypt second only to Pharaoh. Now He meets His brothers for the first time how will He respond. In this story though we see this wonderful connection between revelation and forgiveness. Something that will be perfected in Christ for all who see and believe Him. Genesis 42 to 45
Joseph has been through a process of refinement that has made Him into the man who is capable of serving God in Pharaohs Court. The key was coming to a place of realising that He could not do it, but God could, in fact only God could do it. Genesis 41 v 41-57
Genesis 40-41v41 sees Joseph’s encounter with two of Pharaoh’s officials in a prison cell. In this encounter we see three people who have fallen along way from their good positions. Yet two of the develop while in the dungeon the other one does not. As the story progresses we see how God is using the prison cell to develop Joseph into the person He will become. How is God developing us today through our current circumstances? Moreover, how are we responding to His work in us and through us. Genesis 40 — Gen 41v41
Genesis 39 sees Joseph in Egypt as a slave in Potiphar's household. Although it may look like Joseph is alone in Egypt we are told that God goes with Him. Whilst in Egypt God blesses Joseph and the blessing of God overflows to those He serves. Yet it is in the blessing that the temptation comes and Joseph has to choose between right and wrong. Joseph’s response is to leave the coat of temptation and flee choosing instead the way of His God. How do we respond to temptation? Well for those who choose Gods way the blessing is known through the presence of the God who is with you in the good times and the hard times. Preached 23rd June 2019
Genesis 37 shows the beginning of the story of Joseph the favourite son of Jacob who receives a beautiful garment as a sign of favour. As the story progresses we see that God has a good plan for Joseph yet His foundations let Him down. The favouritism of His Father Jacob isolates Him from His brothers who turn on Him in their jealously seeking to harm His life. Yet the love and favour that the coat represents is still good and active Joseph has just been separated from the physical sign of that affection and love. In many ways this is like our salvation that is a perfect act of love and favour from the Heavenly favour towards His children. That we might walk in His love all the days of our lives. Yet many things can hinder Gods good pattern for our lives this is why we must seek the restoration of wrong foundations and know that our Gods salvation does not run out that He does not leave us no matter how hard the road.