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."
B. The Corruption - vs. 12, Shechem - they returned to their place of failure! That is what envy will do to you.
1. The Place where their sister was defiled
2. The Place where the Brothers abused the use of God’s promises.
3. The Place of Embarrassment to the Father (sin)
2 Peter 2:22 "But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."
C. The Conspiracy - vs. 18-20
1. They Exhibited more Hatred - behold, this Dreamer cometh
2. They Examined their Intentions - let us slay him
3. They Expected His Death -vs. 20 And the faithful was despised:
IV. The Forsaking of Joseph - Whoever said that there was only happiness in the will of God never read the life of Joseph. Reuben did not want this to happen, and even wanted to get Joseph home, but he failed. He saved his life. But did not stop:
A. The Confinement - They through him in a pit.
1. A Place of Danger - though it was not full of water, and Reuben picked it, some Jewish writings say it would have been a haven for snakes and scorpions.
2. A Place of Death - historically, some would be cast into this type of pit, and left to starve. None wanted him alive.
HE HAD DONE NOTHING WRONG - but was rejected of his own.
B. The Conspiracy - they plotted on what to do with their own brother.
1. They Secluded Him - They did not look at him, or feel concern for him.
2. They Sold Him - One commentary said that 20 pieces of silver was the price for a handicapped slave.
C. The Charade - Let’s put some blood on that special coat that daddy made, and give it back to old dad. We will tell him that Joseph is dead!
And Joseph was forsaken!
Concl. The question is will we trust God in His plan. Sometimes we will face and unexpected turn in the road of life - do we trust God with the outcome? The amazing thing is that though I believe Joseph faced human despair, he never gave up. What would make you quit?
Joseph was grieved by the death of his mother, rejected, abandoned, abused, maligned, and forgotten - but he never turned on God.
Joseph faced obstacles that were insurmountable, but he did not quit!
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own thoughts and work, and many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. It is all for His Glory.
