“Intended for Good”

“Intended for Good” (Genesis 50:15–26)

Pastor Cameron Jungels

Eastside Baptist Church

Sunday PM, February 19, 2017

 

Genesis 50:15–26 (NIV)

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.

19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

22 Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years 23 and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. 

24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”

26 So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.

 

1. Fear of Retribution (15–18).

 

2. Assurance of Peace (19–21).

• Peace flows from the heart of a person who understands his role in God’s sovereign plan.
  1. Joseph acknowledged his place of humility.
  2. He acknowledged his brothers’ sin and wrongdoing: you meant to harm me.
  3. He acknowledged the sovereignty of God: God intended it for good.

 

3. Hope for the Future (22–26).
   1. Enjoying the blessings of God during his life.
   2. Looking to the future blessings of God.

 

Main Idea: Those who trust the Sovereign, Faithful God can live in confidence (not fear), can offer peace and reconciliation to others (not vengeance), and can look with hope and faith for the future.