The evil of men and God’s plan
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