JOSEPH: Accepting and Living God’s Purpose
A Sermon on Genesis 45:1-28 by Pastor Allan Santos
Watch the sermon here.
Introduction
The Lord promoted Joseph to become the governor of Egypt and the second most powerful and influential leader of this nation. He was in this role when famine was experienced in the world including the land where Israel and his tribe lived. The Lord had used the famine so that Israel would command his sons to travel to Egypt and buy the food they needed. Joseph then had to face his past hurts and hang-ups, when his brothers bowed down to him to buy food. This situation opened a favorable opportunity for Joseph to get back to his brothers, who conspired to kill him and who, eventually threw him to a cistern and sold him to slavery. But that was not how things turned out. Joseph bestowed forgiveness and reconciled with his brothers because he knew that everything happened as part of God’s purpose and plan for his life.
Outline
Joseph’s confrontation with his past pains (vv.1-4)
Joseph’s acknowledgement and obedience to God’s purpose (vv.5-8)
Joseph’s recognition and provision for his family (vv.9-24)
God’s faithfulness and providence established in Joseph’s life (vv.25-28)
Life Lessons from God’s Word
The Lord allowed Joseph to face his past hurts when his brothers travelled to Egypt to buy food. Joseph has the power to get even with his brothers, but the Lord already worked in Joseph’s life to understand His will and purpose. Are you willing to put aside your feelings and personal agenda as you obey God in your life?
Joseph embraced God’s will and purpose for his life even if he needed to suffer as a servant and prisoner in Egypt. His conversation with his brothers would show us his affirmation of the fulfilment of God’s purpose for him. How do you view or react in your present-day sufferings? Do you acknowledge that the Lord allowed them to happen because He is teaching you to trust and know Him deeper in your life?
