Can our sin derail God’s purposes? Is it possible to undo God’s good plan with your poor choices? Can you out-sin grace? These questions seem to be on the mind of the writer of Genesis in Chapter 37, where we find the account of Joseph, Jacob’s favored son, and his brothers. This story, though well-known on its own, is just a part of the larger story of Genesis, and a part of the even larger story of redemption. Through Joseph we ultimately get a glimpse of Jesus; through Joseph’s rule we find a picture of God’s kingdom. Listen as Pastor Luke Herche preaches on this passage under four heads:

1) God’s promise to restore his world includes exalting his King.

2) Pride tempts us to resist God’s King; pain tempts us to despair of his promise.

3) God uses opposition to his rule to exalt his King.

4) Take heart—despite present appearances, our King reigns; his kingdom is coming.

Part of a series on the book of Genesis.

From Sunday Worship, August 24, 2025.

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Want to go deeper? Take some time to reflect on the sermon with the following questions:

In your own words, retell the key events of Genesis 37. What stands out most to you? How does this story show us God’s determination to right his world and human opposition to it? (Consider also Psalms 2 and 8.)

Why are we, like Joseph’s brothers, so opposed to God righting his world? Why do we often like Jacob despair of it ever happening?

Which temptation is stronger for you right now—resisting Jesus’ reign in some area of your life, or despairing that his promises will ever come true?

The sermon asked, “Can our sin derail God’s purposes?” How does Genesis 37 begin to answer that question? Do you find this easy or hard to believe? Why?

Read Acts 2:22–24, 32–33. How might looking to the cross (both the significance of Christ’s opposition and the wonder of God’s purposes) change the way you respond to difficult circumstances this week?

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All Souls (Urbana, IL) is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a Christian, Reformed denomination with historic and theological roots in the Protestant Reformation.