October 20, 2024

God’s Inscrutable Ways

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Genesis 42:25 – 43:14
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Example of Jacob and of Joseph
  • Ecc 7:8 – "the end of a thing is better than its beginning"
  • To discover their money purse – the worst news possible
    • Bad enough to be charged as spies
    • Now to be accused of being thieves
      • To discover all money purses – fills them with dread
  • Jacob says that everything is against him
    • Will he continue to believe the promises of God
    • They felt in the worse possible situation
    • The end was better than the beginning
  • Overview:
    • How God is working in the heart of Joseph
    • How God is working in the heart of his brothers
    • How God is working in the heart of Jacob

How God is working in the heart of Joseph

  • Joseph dealt with his brothers roughly
    • He was calculated with tactics
    • He wanted to be sure there was repentance and change in their lives
      • He wanted reconciliation with them
      • He wants to see God working in their lives first
    • Will he see their honesty?
      • They had not confessed to Jacob about what they did to Joseph
  • God was working in the heart of Joseph
    • He had already wept
      • He has a tender heart – but he is dealing with his brothers roughly
    • He was being shrewd
    • He is testing his brothers
    • He wants God to speak to them
    • He wants to see a change in their hearts
  • Joseph is a picture of Jesus Christ
    • Joseph recognised his brothers but they did not recognise him
      • This reminds us of Jesus
      • We do not always recognise Jesus
    • God’s work – a disturbing work to show us our sin
    • God’s work – to show us Christ
    • Joseph treats his brothers with mercy and judgment
      • He provides provisions for them
    • Joseph has the power of life and death
      • Jesus Christ has all power and authority
  • Joseph is a vulnerable and weak man – like us
    • He is kind to his brothers
    • He overcame evil with good
      • Example of David
    • Jesus Christ overcame evil

How God is working in the heart of his brothers

  • Did they wonder why the Egyptian man was so interested in their family?
    • Did they wonder why they were given provision but treated roughly?
    • They were afraid that their money was returned (42:28)
    • They believed it was something that God had done
  • The brothers are dismayed when they find the returned money
    • God is calling them to own up to the truth
    • Reuben goes too far (42:37)
    • Judah responds differently (15:9)
  • God tests our honesty – examples
    • God is testing the brother’s honesty

How God is working in the heart of Jacob

  • Where is the Jacob of Penuel who wrestled with God?
    • Jacob felt bereaved
    • The traumas of the past can affect our present
    • All Jacob can see is darkness
    • Christians can be in a situation where they see no hope (42:38)
  • Chapter 43 – things begin to change
    • Jacob ‘becomes’/starts to act again like Israel
    • He formulates a plan
    • He begins to pray
    • He resigns himself to God’s will
    • God was at work in his heart also

Closing Remarks

  • What is God doing?
    • He is working in people’s heart to affect reconciliation
  • God is at work in our lives
    • Ecc 7:8 – "the end of a thing is better than its beginning"
    • "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord"
    • 2 Samuel 22:4
  • Hope in God through all you go through