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Presentation 54
Introduction
The story of Joseph reveals God's remarkable control over circumstances and his ability to bring good out of what, on the surface, appears to be far from good for us. We find it hard to believe that God can take the dark threads of circumstance and from them weave something of eternal value and glory. The story of Joseph encourages us to believe that he can! Further encouragement can be drawn from the fact that Josephs story unfolds within the context of family tension and conflict. We often mistakenly think that our faith would be stronger, or the quality of our service for God more thoroughgoing, if only our family circumstances were different. The life of Joseph encourage us to think otherwise.
Presentation 54
Introduction
The life of Joseph is remarkable. He is hardly mentioned in the N.T. and yet more has been written about him than about any other O.T. character. He is one of a few men in scripture about whom nothing bad is written. Whenever Joseph speaks, he almost always makes some reference to God. Joseph's life experience spanned the social spectrum of the ancient world. In his 110 years he had known what it was to be; a future heir of a wealthy Jewish Patriarch, a slave in an Egyptian household, a prisoner in a notorious dungeon and the prime minister of a world superpower. He was abused and he was exalted. But in whatever state we find Joseph, God is always uppermost in his thoughts and his confidence in God's goodness and faithfulness remains unshaken.
Presentation 54
Introduction
As we consider Josephs life, there are a number of areas that repay careful examination. The first is in the field of typology. There are in the O.T. black and white pictures, which foreshadow the Technicolor revelation found in the N.T. Josephs life has been viewed as a character, who foreshadows the person of Christ. One commentator has traced 101 parallels between the life of Joseph and the life of Jesus. One suggests that the life of Joseph is a type of the pathway of Christ and his work, from lowliness to exaltation, from slavery to liberty, from suffering to glory!
Presentation 54
Introduction
Joseph is also an encouragement to those, who have enrolled in Christs school of discipleship. His steadfast trust in God and determination to do what is right is an example to us all. Joseph did not subscribe to the dictum, 'When in Rome do what the Romans do'. He did not camouflage his faith in order to embrace an alien worship system. He never compromised. He never complained. God was always the chief and determining reality in his life. One commentator writes, From the example of this dreamer, who became a doer we may learn how: To overcome envy, To face adversity, To resist illicit sexual advances, To plan for the future, To forgive those who wrong us, To dispel doubts about forgiveness, To have faith in God's promises, To recognise the sovereignty of God, even in the wrongs done to us by others.
Presentation 54
Introduction
A study of Josephs life provides an illuminating glimpse into the marvellous providence of God. Joseph's story, perhaps more than any other in the Bible, demonstrates God's remarkable control over every circumstance of our lives. We see Gods ability to order good out of, what on the surface appears to be, evil. There are times in our lives, when all we appear to be able to see are dark threatening threads! We find it hard to believe that God really can take those threads in his hands and from them produce something glorious. The story of Joseph encourages us to believe in the astonishing and beneficial providence of God.
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Conclusion
The brothers failed to deal with jealousy and envy and so it grew into hatred before developing into attempted murder. There is an awful momentum in the out of control rollercoaster of sin. If the brakes are not applied, then it can propel us into behaviour that later causes us to ask, 'Was I really responsible for that?' If you react to Josephs brothers behaviour by raising your hands in horror asking, 'How could Josephs brother's treat him in this way?' then remember that the same potential lies in all our hearts.
Presentation 54
Conclusion
That knowledge alone should cause us to cry to God for the grace of contentment and for a willingness to run the race that he has marked out for us rather than look enviously around at what he asks of others. This is the antidote to much of the misery experienced by so many. We need Christian blinkers that will enable us to keep in the lane that God has marked out for us and so complete the race to the best of our ability.
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