Joseph: God Is Able

Title: God is Able

Theme: To show that no matter what the circumstances, God is able.

Text: Genesis 50:15 – 21; Ephesians 3:20

Opening Scripture

When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him." So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, "Before your father died he commanded, saying, 'Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you." ' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants." Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:15-21)

Introduction

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

This is one of the most incredible statements in the Bible. Especially coming from a guy who spent years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Accused by a lady in the home he was sold (get that) in to. Potiphar bought him at auction put on by the Ishmaelites. How did he get sold? Well, that was by his brothers. These brothers. These brothers that are now bowing before him. 20 years earlier they were standing over him in envy, jealousy and hatred. Contemplating murder but settled for selling him. Sold by your brothers.

What is Joseph’s response when everything finally comes to light? Don’t worry about it, “you meant it for evil, but God”.

IOW: My God is able to turn your mess around. My God is able to take what you meant for evil and turn it into good. My God is able to take what seemed to be an impossible situation and turn it into deliverance.

That is Joseph’s faith that he had in God.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

No Miracles

This faith was not based on a miracle that God had performed. It was not based on you know “splitting the Red Sea” or “making the sun stand still” or “defeating the greatest armies”.

The only thing that Joseph knew was God had spoken to his great-grandfather Abraham and told him that he was going to “give him land and a family that would be “uncountable”. As the stars in the sky as the sand by the shore.

Abraham waited and waited. He made plans of his own, Ishmael comes along and makes a mess of things. It is interesting that three generations they would play a part in “selling” their kin to the Egyptians.

Then seemingly both Abram and Sarah got too old. But they had a promise and trusted a God whom could do the impossible. Abraham was 100 years old when he became a father and Sarah was 90. You may say that her womb was done but God has bigger plans. Abraham and Sarah knew that “God was Able to do what He promised”

Hebrews 11:11 NKJV By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

MSG 11 By faith, barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said.

So here is Joseph following in the footsteps of his family trusting God having faith.

This is one of the first characteristics of Joseph that got him through the whole ordeal.

I. Joseph trusted God

Gen 50:25 Then Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here."

Hebrews 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

Exodus 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you."