When Life Takes An Unexpected Turn Series

Intro. Last week we saw that Jacob’s life changed before Joseph was born. Joseph had been trained well by his father. Not the same could be said about the rest of the sons. Jacob had been very passive in the lives of Joseph’s older brothers, but apparently more involved in the life of Joseph. His mother had died. And he was about to be cast into a storm of no explanation. Life took an unexpected turn.

Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." The lives of those in the Old Testament can be used of God to teach us principles by which we can live, encourage us with hope, and even warn us.

Jacob had brought his family to the place where God told him to go. He had been a supplanter, but now, lived in the land of promise. His children had rebelled, he had faced Esau, his daughter had been defiled by the men of Shechem. But he found pleasure in Joseph.

Joseph is only 17 years old. Join me in the Scriptures as we see his story.

I. The Faithfulness of Joseph - vs. 2

A. His Relationship - He knew what it meant to spend time with the Father. 2Co 6:17 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

B. His Report - this was not being a “tattletale”, but letting the father know that there were things that would be a dishonor to God and the family.

1. It appears he was the Leader (he fed the sheep) that was the role of the lead Shepherd.

2. He chose to reveal their sin, instead of conceal the matter - do not know what it was, God did not see fit to tell us - but accountability was needed. Ephesians 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

3 John vs. 11 "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." Joseph stood on what was right - unlike most today.

C. His Revelations (Dreams) - It appears to be the only dream not reveled to him - He could not interpret this one! Sometimes an unexpected turn comes that we do not understand.

1. He Shared out of Wonder - not in a bragging way.

2. He shared out of willingness - He did not hide these dreams from his father, and though they did not believe him, and tho he did not understand, he told his father. The brothers hated him, and Jacob pondered these things.

II. The Favor of Joseph - Did not deserve this favor, but it effected the way he lived.

A. His Position

1. The Son of His Old Age - (Jacob is believed to have been 91)

The sweetness of the relationship. THINGS WERE GOOD!

2. The Shepherd - it gives an indication that Jacob had placed the lad over a section of the flock, and overseeing the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah.

B. His Provision - Coat of many colors - not his own, but given by another. With multicolor threads - a picture of Grace - Isaiah 61:10 "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."

1. This Robe was one of Honor - beloved!

2. The Robe was one of Provision - He did not have to work for it.

- It was a Gift from the Father

- It was a Gift that was permanent - Joseph needed to do nothing to have the robe, except be the son! He did not have a certain deed or work to keep the robe!

As God’s children, we should know what it is like to spend time with the Father, and to enjoy His grace - but that is no guarantee that life will not take an unexpected turn.

III. The Foes of Joseph -vs. 12-36 Jacob sent him out of genuine concern- vs. 13-14

A. The Contempt - it was a sin of jealousy! - Go back to vs. 4-5

O be careful. Many that have a bitter spirit is because they are jealous over what God has done for someone else. James 3:14 "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work."