Providence, Rhode Island was settled in 1636 by a Christian. Not just by a Christian but by a man that would be later known as a Baptist Pastor. (Roger Williams) He believed in the separation of church and state and condemned colonists from confiscation of land from the Indians so he purchased the land to establish the city of Providence.
Furthermore, he believed in believers baptism and was persecuted for it and according to records he was beaten until his boots were filled with blood due to his deep convictions about baptism while inhabiting the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Because of his deep beliefs in freedom in 1652 Providence established an anti-slavery law there and interesting enough, if you visit there today, you can visit the First Baptist Church of Rhode Island that was established there in 1638 which is the oldest Baptist congregation in America.
This place in history was purchased from the Narragansett Indians and named “Providence” because Roger Williams wanted to preserve in history a verbal monument to remember the providence of God.
He said: “I named it Providence in thanks to God for providing a place for me after I was exiled from Massachusetts. God guided me here by His providence.”
Explanation:
As we meet Joseph again today he reminds us of something we need to remember in life through all the up’s, down’s, and turn-arounds; we need to be reminded of God’s providence.
As we join him in verse 1, we find Joseph ready to reveal his identity to his brothers. Before, he disguised himself as an Egyptian. Before he had spoken to his brothers through an interpreter. Yet, after discovering that his brothers had repented and listened to the appeal of Judah his brothers.
He weeps and suddenly says: “I am Joseph” which he spoke (obviously) in their language. (vs. 1-4)
From there, he reveals something wonderful about God; He reveals that God is a God of providence.
Transition: This morning, let’s allow Joseph to explain this concept to us. Let’s allow Joseph to reveal to us what it means that God is a God of providence.
Transitional Sentence: What does Joseph teach us about the providence of God? Because of God’s providence, we can be assured of the fact that:
I. No One is In Control But God
vs. 4-5- Then Joseph said to his brothers, Please come closer to me. And they came closer. And he said, I am your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.”
Explanation:
Let me ask you a question? Who’s in charge of our world today?
That’s basically the question that Joseph had grappled with through the years he spent in Egypt. It would have been easy for him to say:
a) Other people are in control- After all, he did not chose to go to Egypt. He did not chose to
be subjected to slavery. Furthermore, he did not make the choices that got him to a better place
where he was Prime Minister of Egypt. He was just Joseph, a man who God gave a dream,
a colorful coat, and some evil brothers who sold him to slavery.
b) Fate is in control- Some could have said that Joseph’s story was a “good luck” story. That by
chance Joseph was at the right place at the right time. That by luck he somehow correctly
interpreted a dream and ended up on a throne. Yet, Joseph knew fate had nothing to do with
the future; God held the future.
c) We are in control- Has anyone ever told you that that you are the captain of your own soul?
The determiner of your own fate? If it’s going to happen; you have to make it happen.
Joseph might have been a Prime Minister, but the first words he spoke to his brothers in Hebrew revealed that he was more than a Prime Minister; he was a preacher as he said:
Vs. 5- “God sent me before you to preserve life.”
Vs. 7- “God sent me before you to preserve you for a remnant”
Vs. 8- “...it was not you who sent me here, but God...”
Vs. 9- “...God made me lord of all Egypt...”
Ask Joseph who is in control of the world, his answer is simple: God is in control.
God is completely sovereign which means that His rule extends over everything and everybody. His authority is supreme. If He wills something, there is nothing that can stop Him. You can challenge Him. All Hell can challenge Him. Yet, nothing will overpower Him. He is Lord of all.
Do you know what God tells us about in His Word? He says: “Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O Lord…. We adore You as being in control of everything” (1 Chronicles 29:11)
Do you know what this means? It means:
1. He is in Control Over world powers
He is sovereign over world powers. Christ is more powerful than the strongest kings, the largest armies and the greatest empires. He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
Jesus told Pilate, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11). Daniel the prophet said, “Blessed be the name of God…. He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings….” (Daniel 2:20-21).
2. He is in Control Over human history
God has a plan for the nations. Nations that are wise bow, follow, and establish their thrones under God’s throne. Our forefathers knew this so that declared we are “one nation under God.” He not only wrote Genesis; but He wrote the book of Revelation and in that book we know whose throne is established forever; it’s the throne of Jesus Christ.
3. He is in Control of current events
The Bible says: “The LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth” (Psalm 135:5-6). It’s easy to watch the news and get discouraged. So, turn off the TV, open the Bible, and get a good night’s rest knowing God is in control.
4. He is in Control of my life
One of the most comforting truths in the Bible is that the sovereign providence of God extends to the daily details of my life. He’s concerned about me and you. His control extends over all our days, and He is able to work all things together for our good.
A.W. Tozer said, “To the child of God, there is no such thing as an accident. He travels an appointed way…. Accident may indeed appear to befall him and misfortune stalk his way; but these evils will be so in appearance only and will seem evils only because we cannot read the secret script of God’s hidden providence.”
I like what David Jeremiah said. He said: “Our God isn’t on vacation. God doesn’t wake up some mornings and day, “Oh my goodness, I forgot about those people.” There are no accidents with God. God never says, “Oops!”
Joseph’s brothers need a sermon on the providence of God just as much as you and I need one today; do you know why? We forget who God is. We get unholy amnesia. When we forget who God is it deeply impacts our lives.
Listen: God has not forgotten you; we dare not forget Him. He’s at the helm of heaven, and is steering this ship through the channels of His divine will. He forgets nothing especially people.
Illustration: Kenny leaves behind Ruth
Do any of you struggle with forgetfulness? Do you ever go into a room and forget why you went there? Or do you ever forget where you parked your car in a parking lot?
In my former church one Sunday I had a guy (named Kenny) from the church come up and tell me, I need your prayers, I am getting very forgetful.
He explained: “You know my wife Ruth and I go out to eat every Friday night at the fish restaurant. Last Friday, I was driving home and I kept feeling like I left something behind.
He explained: “My mind was so fixed on trying to figure out what I forgot that I drove home and didn’t say a thing.”
He said, “I got home, got out of the car, opened the front door and suddenly realized what I forgot; I forgot my wife!”
He said: “ I drove back to the restaurant (20 minute) drive and saw his wife in front of the restaurant and she won’t let me forget it. It’s all she’s talked about for three days!”
I told him, “Well, I think your prayers are already being answered, at least that’s one thing you’ll never forget for the rest of your life!”
That’s a true story. You can’t make this stuff up!
Application:
Listen: Often in life we feel like God has forgotten us but the reality is God never forgets us.
Hebrews 13: 6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
The providence of God reminds us daily that God is in control. He is with us. He will never forsake us.
Transitional Sentence: What does Joseph teach us about the providence of God? Because of God’s providence, we can be assured of the fact that:
II. No One Can Calm Me But God
vs. 5- “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve my life.”
Explanation:
As Joseph identifies himself to his brothers, immediately Joseph understands that there is an emotional response that we all experience when it comes to the sin and poor choices of our life.
As they stand, hearing the voice of their brother, he quickly comforts them telling them what they should not do. Notice in verse 5 he says:
1. Do not be grieved- (vs. 5)- The Hebrew word (atsab) means ‘to carve.” It is translated as; to
grieve, worry, or pain. The word is very descriptive. It is a picture of cutting away. The
emotional response gives a picture of long-term pain that cuts deep initially and then carves
away at someone’s spirit. It leaves a lasting and continual slicing away of ones emotions.
A lot of people look back with regrets and know exactly what I am talking about. They want to “get over” something, but the emotion is too deep. The regrets to long lasting. They are haunted by the mistakes and sins of their past.
Yet, when someone understands the providence of God, they understand that God is so much in control that he can use and recycle our sins, mistakes, and past to accomplish his greater purposes.
I like what Tony Evans says. He said: “The Lord does not “do” evil nor does He approve of it. However, He does use it. The evil that happens because of the actions and decisions of human beings gets used for ultimate good. He takes our evil intentions and used them to fashion a greater destiny. All those stops, setbacks, and standstills have already been factored into His larger plan in delivering us to the place He intended for us all along.”
2. Do not be angry- (vs. 5)- The Hebrew word (charah) means “to burn”. It is translated as; to
be angry , be kindled, or glow. Joseph knew that emotionally they would become angry at
themselves. That they would self-punish or even worse, that they might become angry at
God for allowing this to be the narrative of their life. That they might even blame God for
their sin.
Joseph reminds his brothers that we cannot always see the intricacies of God’s providential work and again, that God can do as someone once said: “He can make a straight lick with a crooked stick.”
What we see in the surface might is only a small part of what God is doing underneath.
Illustration: The watch
One thing that I have a hard time doing without is a watch. If I leave home without my watch on, I feel something is missing. I have several watches but one that I love to wear is this one; my Citizens Garrison.
I’ve had it for a really long time and I love to see the second hand move and the gears operate in perfect symphony with it. Yet, that’s only a fraction of what is going on in the watch.
You see, if I take the back off the watch I can see even more going on in the watch. Furthermore, if I take it to a jeweler I can see that underneath the face of the watch are a series of tiny gears and mechanisms that are continually moving. They are at work moving those tiny parts in perfect timing to provide the correct time for me to read on the face of the watch.
Application:
That’s how God’s providence works. You and I don’t see all that God is doing behind the scene; beyond our view, beyond our understanding to accomplish all that is necessary to complete His will and do things in His perfect timing.
He’s dealing with millions of things at one time to accomplish what is necessary for His will to be done.
So what’s the point? The point is that we have to trust God with the unseen. We have to turn our sins and failures over to him and instead of review them every day; renew our faith that God has already put into motion what the necessary things for Romans 8: 28 to become a reality in and through them.
Romans 8:28 says: “ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
I like the way that verse begins. It says: “And we know...” How do we know? We know because we know God is a God of providence; just as Joseph says.
Transitional Sentence: What does Joseph teach us about the providence of God? Because of God’s providence, we can be assured of the fact that:
III. No One is Like Our God
vs. 10-28- “You shall live in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children and your flocks and your herds and all you have. There I will provide for you...”
Explanation:
The way this story turns out has God’s signature all over it. Think about how this story could have turned out for the brothers; without God revealing His providential plan to Joseph, and Joseph believing in God’s providence; this speech to the brothers could have been more like a sentence of judgment; instead of an statement of forgiveness and providence.
All the way to the end of Genesis we read that Joseph kept reassuring his brothers of God’s providence.
In Genesis 50:20, just 6 verses before the closing of Genesis, Joseph is quoted saying: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good....”
Notice how great God is in recycling a terrible event, and filling it up with His grace.
1. In verse 10, we see that Joseph said: “You shall live in the land of Goshen.” Goshen means “drawing near.” Because of God’s providence; the brothers were drawn near, not sent away.
Goshen was such a great place that when God’s people returned to the Promised land, they named the fertile area “Goshen” because of the well-loved land that it was. It still carries the same idea as there are 26 places in America called “Goshen.”
2. In verse 11, Joseph promised: “I will provide for you.” Instead of famine; the brothers were
promised a continual feast.
3. In verse 15, the Bible says: “He kissed all his brothers.” None of the family was exempt from
the heartfelt love and grace of Joseph.
4. In verse 20, Joseph promises: “The best of Egypt are yours.”
5. In verse 22, Joseph gave them “ a change of garments.”
6. In verse 26 and 28- Joseph was seen “alive and was seen once again.”
Conclusion:
Doesn’t that sound a lot like our future because of the provision of Jesus on the cross all provided by the providence of God?
Think about it:
a) Heaven will be like God’s Goshen, we will “draw near” to God and live in our Promised land.
b) Heaven will be a place where God will provide for us. No more need, pain, or problems.
c) Heaven will be a place where God’s love is manifested throughout eternity; it will be the top
topic of conversation.
d) It will be a place where the best God offers is ours.
e) It will be a place where we change our garments. Revelation 6:11 says: “Then each of them
was given a white robe...”
f) It will be a place where we will see Jesus alive and living once again forever and ever.
All of this will be our reality because of the fact that “no one is like our God!” By His providence, He provided Jesus, who forgives those who should have been condemned, and provides grace to those who deserved judgement. Oh what a Savior He is!
