This week on Perry and Shawna Mornings we are diving into the story of Joseph (Genesis chs. 37, 39-50).  Joseph suffered so much injustice:  Sold into slavery by his brothers, accused of a crime he didn’t commit, spent years in prison though he was innocent.  But over the years God’s unseen hand was putting the pieces in play for Joseph to be used extraordinarily in God’s plan to save the world. 

 

So first, we put Joseph’s story in the context of the story of the Bible.  Every person God’s has used in his great story to save the world didn’t see how the dots connected.  They walked by faith and obedience one step at a time.  And because Joseph trusted God when life didn’t make sense God used him to save his family from dying.  And by God’s grace used him to save the world.  Because from Joseph’s family came the Messiah.  It’s encouragement to keep going as far ahead as you can see when life doesn’t make sense!  We are fitting into his plan as well.

Then we see Joseph’s character when no one was looking:  As a slave, his slave master’s wife tempted Joseph day after day after day to sleep with him.  But Joseph refused.  He was able to resist because he knew his identity:  A loved child of God.  Knowing who we are can empower to stand against the temptations we face.  

And finally after Joseph is raised up to second in command in Egypt, his brothers who sinned so greatly against him, come from Canaan looking for food during a great famine.  When they realize Joseph is alive and that he’s a ruler in Egypt, they’re terrified.  But Joseph offers forgiveness:  “You meant evil against me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”  And in those words Joseph points to Jesus whom we crucified.  But though our sins caused his death, it was God’s plan to redeem us, and the world!  Sin and suffering never have the final word:  That’s the story of the Bible.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.