We all go through different phases of life – examples
Example of Joseph
What phase of life are you in?
God is faithful and is with us
God does deliver us in times of difficulty
Sometimes we have years of affliction
Other times we have blessings
Lord for the years
Example of Joseph’s sons names
Life is a time of transition – example
The story of Joseph – in all the transitions of life, trust God
v39ff
Joseph has a new position
He is given authority by Pharoah
He is given fine clothes
He is given a new name – but does not own this, he keeps his Jewish name
He is given a wife – in this exceptional circumstance, God allows Joseph to marry outside of the covenant family
He is given children
He has a new job – to gather grain
He has a great responsibility
Everything is new in his life
Overview
How he deals with his Past
How he deals with the Present
How his story points us to Christ
How he deals with his Past
v50-51 – "And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house."
Not forgetting the love of his father or his roots
God has helped him to deal with the hurt his brothers caused him and the trouble he has experienced for the last 13-14 years
14 complementary years of plenty and famine
14 years of prosperity
The first injustice put him in prison
The second injustice kept him in prison
When you go through trial and hardship – you can respond in different ways
Blaming God
Resentful towards people who cause your hardship
Joseph is not resentful – examples
The Lord had caused him to forget his pain
He says "God has helped me"
Application:
We need to bring hurts from the past to God and ask for grace to forgive others
We should pray for those who have previously hurt us
Yes Joseph tests his brothers but he is moved with such love to a glorious reconcilation
He did not remember the past hardships
God does not remember our sin
We must ask God to help us forget past hardships
What are the best years of your life?
Example of being aged 17-30
Joseph did not claim he had been robbed of these years
He realised that God was preparing him for the future
He learned it was in God’s timing
Lamentations 3:27 – "It is good for a man to bear The yoke in his youth"
Examples
Affliction can lead to bitterness but not in Joseph
He has the joys of his children
Example of Joni
Quote from JR Quever
God brings us through – He brings us joy
This joy seems to come with his children
Joseph learns to deal with the past
Have we dealt with the past?
May the overflowing grace of God help us to no longer remember the traumas of the past
How he deals with the Present
Such promotion/position can lead to danger – giddy pride, lording it over others
It did not happen to Joseph or Daniel
Because the years of affliction had taught them to lean on God
Joseph knows his elevation is from God
Humbleness keeps us in the presence
Joseph was a meek man
Work helps – idle time brings temptation from the devil
Hard work is important
Example of President Zelensky
We are called to be faithful and good stewards
Joseph is faithful
Joseph is fruitful in the land of his affliction (v52)
In Egypt
The key to living in the present – to keep our eyes on Christ
For Joseph – God was in his mind
Seek the kingdom of God first
How his story points us to Christ
After years of suffering being exalted to the highest place at the right hand of Pharaoh
From a criminal’s doom to a royal throne
The government was on his shoulder
He was forget by people but exalted by God
Every knee bows to him (v43)
This reminds us of Christ
We must remember that Christ is ruling and reigning
Christ is building His church
Christ is on the throne
Christ is exalted over all things
Look to Christ
Love Him
Serve Him
Only He can deal with our past and help us in the present
James 1:12 – "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
