Rsbc
January 18, 2004
Sunday Morning
Sermon # 2 “ The Divine Secrets of The Lord”
Subject: “ Joesph, A Prime Example of God’s Providence”
Text: Genesis 49: 22-26 Chapter 50:1, vs 19-21
Intro: What a story, the story of Joesph. It has many downfalls and many risings. It is a story that has been told by many to their children, books have been written about him, sermons have been preached using him, such as this one today.
This time last year I preach a number of sermons on the doctrine of providence, but this one is different. I hope in this message this morning to help those of you who may be struggling with some trail in your life, some burden that seems unbearable, and for those who may not be struggling I preach it likewise because if you are not in one now you will be soon.
Keep in mind that providence is the upholding, the governing, and the directive will of God in our life... The Great Solomon preached these words, Ecclesiastes 3:1‑2 To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted;
Likewise remember that God is watching, Psalm 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God.
We see his father now proclaiming his last words to his twelve sons. Each were unique in the providence of GOD’s dealing with them. We have not time to go over them so we will confine our remarks to Joesph.
I... “THE PROSPERITY OF JOESPH” ...VS 22
When we come to this time in Joesph life, he has weather many storms, many disappointments, the forsaking of his brothers, two terms in prison for nothing that he had done wrong.
1st. His prosperity was not hinder by his adversity...
The hatred of his brother’s was the beginning of his adversity in life..
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Genesis 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told [it] his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. Hatred always leads to no good, just remember it starts in the heart: Genesis 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit [was] empty, [there was] no water in it. Judah talks his brothers into selling him instead of killing him... Genesis 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt. They make their father Jacob believe Joesph was dead... what cruelty the perpetrated on their father... Genesis 37:33‑34 And he knew it, and said, [It is] my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. Joesph was sold to the Egyptians...
2nd. In his adversity God was with him: Genesis 39:1‑2 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
He didn’t keep the Hebrew children out of the fiery furnace but protected them while they were in their, He didn’t keep Daniel out of the lions den but controlled the lions were they didn’t touch him... Never forget the Lord knows where you are at.
Joesph was again lied upon by the Potiphar’s wife place back in prison, he withstood the temptation... and then promoted back to the 2nd highest position in Egypt ...
James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
What is your prison this morning? What is your burden this morning? If you are saved remember it is the providence of God in your life.
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You know the story he by the grace of God plans out the nation’s prosperity and their survival in good times and in the famine. His brothers come for wheat and God brings this family back together. Years had passed Jacob thought he was dead, his brothers knew nothing of the brother they hated and sold, now he is alive and well..
III... “ THE FRUITFULNESS OF JOESPH”...VS 22-23
What is meant here? It is clear that he is talking about his family shall be large...
JFB says “denotes the extraordinary increase of that tribe. The patriarch describes him as attacked by envy, revenge, temptation, ingratitude; yet still, by the grace of God, he triumphed over all opposition, so that he became the sustainer of Israel; and then he proceeds to shower blessings of every kind upon the head of this favorite son. The history of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh shows how fully these blessings were realized”.
In Number 33 just the men that were able to go to war 20 years old and upward In the tribe of Ephraim was 40,500 and Manasseh was 32,200 so God fulfilled the blessing he pronounce on Joesph.
How often does the Bible use these metaphors in the prosperity and the salvation of his people.
1. In David’s writings it is said:
Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
2. Jesus Christ is typified here ...
He told the woman at the well:
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
3. That Joesph strength was in the Lord...vs 24-26
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Christ is our strength, he is referred to as the Stone, the rock indicating his stability and strength. Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Paul said:
1 Corinthians 10:1‑4 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
(1.) The strength of the Lord is in the fact that he is the mighty God: vs 24
One of the many names given in prophecy to Christ this one is named...Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
(2.) The strength of the Lord is also seen in his rising up to defend his people...
Isaiah 31:5 As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver [it; and] passing over he will preserve it.
IV... “ THE GRIEF OF JOESPH”..CHP 50-1
This grief was brought about by the death of his father...Chp 49:33 which would be the normal thing that would happen when we loose someone we love.
How this man was a type of Christ.. When Lazarus died note what it said about Christ... John 11:35 “ Jesus Wept”
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John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
V... “ THE TESTIMONY OF JOESPH CONCERNING HIS ADVERSITY”..VS 19-21
1st. He assures his brothers..vs 19
Joesph tells his brethren Genesis 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
In the place of God, I take to mean where God put me. MH says footnotes.
2nd. He reveals their heart to them: vs 20
Once again we see a Type of Christ here, revealing to them what they needed to here. How good is the Lord to us to reveal to us exactly what we need not what we want to here.
John 2:24‑25 But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men], 25 And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
3rd. He encourages his brothers..vs 21
a. Nourish them..
This means he would take care of them and their families: Matthew 6:32‑33 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
b. Comfort them..
Paul said: 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
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Lessons we can learn!
1. That life is filled with up’s and down’s
2. That God knows all about them...Psalm 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3. That Christ is with us..
4. That he protects, governs, orders, all things for our good and his glory..