Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• We see God working in wonderful ways, planning all things
• We also see the wickedness of the human heart
  • The doctrine of total depravity/corruption
• We see this in Joseph's brothers
  • We see the depths of the human heart - to plot the death of their brother
    • No love for their father
    • Jealousy turned to hatred
  • Joseph is an upright man
    • He is concerned for his brothers
  • The brother's sin leads to more sin
  • Reuben tries to rescue his brother
  • Judah does not want to kill him
• Yet, God is working out His purposes
  • "He makes the wrath of man to praise Him" (Psalm 76:10)
  • God is orchestrating events
    • Joseph was to be a mediator of their salvation
• The evil of men & the plan of God

A Foolish Decision

• Jacob made a foolish decision to send Joseph to his brothers
  • He was foolish to show favouritism
    • He should have remembered what happened in his own life/family
• He should have realised what his other sons were like
  • They could not speak peaceably to Joseph (Gen 37:4)
• Jacob was not wise like a serpent
  • Simeon and Levi had already shed blood - Gen 36
• Application:
  • Not to have a suspicious spirit
  • We need to be discerning
  • We need to learn to not put our trust in men
  • We must not overlook the sins of our children

An Obedient Son

• Joseph responds "Here I am" (v13)
  • He represents Jesus Christ who came to do His Father's will
• He was prepared to go the second mile (v17)
  • This reminds us of Jesus Christ who went all the way to the cross

A Strange Providence

• Joseph meets a 'random' person (v15-16)
  • Without this - he would have been saved so much suffering
  • God was working out His purposes
  • When bad things happen - we must not blame our circumstances
• Why did this happen to Joseph?
  • A humbling experience - to cause reflection
  • What men intended for evil, God intended for good (Genesis 50:20)

A Conspiracy to Kill

• They conspire to kill Joseph from "afar off" (v18)
  • Some people respond when provoked - this was premeditated
    • A great difference to the Prodigal Son/Father
  • Here we see something of the worse of human nature
  • There is a depravity that the human heart is prone to
• They planned to kill him (v19-20)
  • Reuben intervenes - the kindness of God
    • Perhaps he had learned from his previous encounter
  • Judah intervenes - suggesting Joseph is sold
  • They make their father think Joseph is dead

Closing Remarks

• Joseph reminds us of Jesus Christ
  • The religious leaders plotted against Him
  • Pilot tried to save Him
  • Betrayed and sold for money
  • Handed over to the Gentiles
  • Raised from the dead
  • God's plan of salvation was through Jesus Christ – Acts 2:23-24, 36
  • Descended to the depths
  • Raised to glory
• We are reminded of the evil of men but the plan of God
• Jesus saves from death, hell and destruction
  • Do you know Jesus Christ?
  • Are your sins forgiven?
  • Trust in Him as Lord and Saviour
• God's plan works together for good