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."
What does this mean? God had a promise to Abraham and the generations that would follow. One day they would dwell in the land of Canaan. One day they would live in the land of milk and honey.
Although they never saw that in their lifetime they still had faith that God could do it. That had faith that God is able.
I believe that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and many of the prophets had faith in God even though they never saw them come to pass. They could truly declare.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This promise is so much bigger than Joseph. Joseph had faith for the future of the family. It was not about him, his children but for future generations.
Principle: Trust God even when you understand Him.
II. Joseph allowed God to help him forget
Genesis 41:51-52 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house." (52) And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."
Joseph recognizes the wrong that had happened. It wasn’t that he ignored it. But he focused on the blessing of God. Even the blessing in turmoil. The blessing in Egypt.
God helped Joseph forget.
“Count your blessings, name them one by one”.
When you do this then you can be fruitful.
Principle: If you will count look around and see what God is doing you can forget what has happened.
III. Joseph allowed God to show up in the circumstances
Each place that Joseph found himself at he allowed God to show up. In the slavery the Bible declared that God was with him and Potiphar’s house was blessed.
In prison the Bible declared that God was with him, and he blessed the prison and showed favor toward Joseph in the warden’s eyes.
Not only that but he interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker. He did not get angry with God but allowed himself to be used by God in this circumstance.
Principle: You have to allow God to show up in your circumstance so He can work.
IV. Joseph Recognized God to Others (witness of God in spite of the circumstances)
Potiphar’s wife
Butler and Baker
Pharoah
Genesis 39:9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"
Genesis 40:8 And they said to him, "We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it." So Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please."
Genesis 41:15-16 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it." (16) So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace."
Joseph put God in the middle no matter what others thought.
Principle: Allow God to use you to help others even if you are the one who needs help.
Conclusion
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Genesis 41:51-52 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: [85] "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house." (52) And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."
David Guzik Commentary on Genesis 37
• God’s word about Joseph was proved true – no matter what his brothers did to Him.
• God’s word about Jesus was proved true – no matter what others did to Him.
• God’s word about you will be proved true – no matter what others do or have done.
Hold On:
When everything seems off
When we have doubt
When we are tempted
Abraham didn’t know how he was going to get to the promised land all he had to do was hold on
Moses didn’t know how Israel was going to get out of Egypt all he had to do was hold on
Jeremiah didn’t know how God was going to bring Israel out of captivity all he had to do was hold on. No matter the mocking, the beatings and the persecution.
