Genesis Chapters 50

A Picture of God Providence

Prayer:

Almighty God, Your providence is often unexpected and at times seems harsh—until I go through the circumstance and see what You have seen from the beginning. You alone are holy and righteous in all Your ways. You alone are worthy to receive glory and honor and praise. Amen.

Introduction:

     Years ago, I had the privilege to work for a kindhearted gentleman who treated me like a daughter. Unfortunately, after his death, his sons took over the business. Their lack of trust and integrity forced me to quit the job. Then the oldest son phoned me. His abusive tone and threats proved my decision to open my own business was the correct one. His intentions may have been to pressure me back to the workplace, but it only made me more determined to build my own clientele and work from my home.  

    God has used that frightful man to accomplish His own purpose for my life. My business has supplied the added income we need as well as opportunity to witness to some that seem to be seeking a reason to believe in the LORD. Setting my own hours has afforded me time to write and minister to other’s needs. The greatest benefit—God has blessed me with several very close friends through their patronage.

     At times, I wonder if those men remember their disgraceful behavior, if not to me, to their father’s memory.

The Lesson

            After Jacob’s burial, his sons remembered their treasonous activities toward Joseph and fear struck their hearts. With their father gone, they assumed Joseph would seek revenge, and they knew he had the power to do with them whatever pleased him.

            They sent word to him, “Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father” (Genesis 50:16-17.)

            Like Jacob’s sons, we consider what our sinful nature has done to our LORD, fear strikes our hearts. Trembling with anticipation of Jesus’ awesome power, we plead for forgiveness. It is the beginning of salvation. Unfortunately, some will wait too long and realize too late what their sins had cost our Savior and ultimately, themselves.

¬         When Joseph received the message from his brothers, he wept. While their father lived, Joseph had done everything he possibly could have done to show them that he harbored no resentment. Still, his brothers mistrusted him and feared him.

            How it must grieve Jesus when we who profess faith in Him permit doubt to permeate our thoughts. With doubt, fear of rejection shreds our faith allowing confusion to enter and we end up accusing our Savior of seeking vengeance instead of trusting His mercy and grace. During His earthly pilgrimage, Jesus did everything possible to show us His love and forgiveness, even while hanging on the cross, He demonstrated His desire to forgive those who put Him there.

¬         Joseph’s brothers trembled and fell prostrate before Joseph and said, “Behold, we be they servants” (verse 18).

            After we recognize our sin, the sure sign of salvation is our willingness to submit to Christ in the role of a servant.

¬         Instead of enslaving his brothers, Joseph had compassion on them as illustrated in verses 20-21: But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

            The correlation between Joseph and Jesus is obvious to most Christians. Similar to Joseph’s brothers scheme to rid themselves of their younger brother, the Pharisees plotted against Jesus and planned his destruction. While their purpose was meant for evil, God used it for His good. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, many have been saved for eternal life in heaven. Not only that, Jesus promises to nourish us, to send comfort and to encourage us with His never-ending promises.

Conclusion and Challenge

            Read the Bible from cover to cover, study history from the beginning of recorded time to the present, you’ll discover this pattern at work:

¬         Men reek with wickedness causing the innocent to suffer unjustifiable torment. Subsequently, God has used those evil acts to bring his plans to maturity. Nothing takes our LORD by surprise. Nothing is beyond His control. And nothing can thwart His plans for our lives.

            God’s greatest demonstration of His steadfast faithfulness and His ability to use all things for the good of those who love Him comes into full focus at the cross of Calvary. It is the picture of man at his worst and God at His best.                          

Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:5-6  Amplified Bible)