David Macdonald - September 22, 2019 - a podcast by NBC Podium

…But God Meant it for Good!
Joseph....
Great-grandson of Abraham
Despised by his brothers
Sold to Midianites when he was ~17 to 18
Sold in Egypt by Midianites to Potiphar (Pharaoh's chief bodyguard)
Became head of household
Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife
Sent to prison with king’s baker and butler
Forgotten in prison then suddenly promoted by God
#2 person in Egypt
Joseph....
25% of the book of Genesis
Rags to riches story
Account reveals God’s providence
Highly dysfunctional family
Father had 4 wives (at the same time)
Brothers involved in rape, incest, murder and human trafficking
Ch. 50 – reveals Joseph’s viewpoint – previous 40 years
Genesis 50:15-21
1. A Baseless Fear
Gen 50:15 NASB
Their guilt is evident
Jacob dead – they feel vulnerable
Brothers had 2 fears:
Joseph will hate them
Joseph will repay them
Guilty conscience – heavy burden
Psalm 38:4 NASB
Spurgeon - "I'd rather bear any affliction than be burdened with a guilty conscience.“
Distorts a sinner’s view. Hinders acceptance of Gospel.
Like rust on metal – decay, rot from within – need to deal with guilt – Christ has done that!
2. A Blatant Fabrication (vs. 16-18)
Gen 50:16-18 NASB
Jacob’s words likely fabricated
No record he said them in Scripture
Not likely to send by messenger – F2F
Would likely have said on deathbed (Gen. 49)
Brothers were – paranoid, opportunistic, deceptive
Some people change – but not that much!
Fear of man
The fear of man brings a snare (brothers), But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted (Joseph). Proverbs 29:25 NASB
Joseph’s Perspective – but God…
Joseph lived from a “but God” perspective – provider rather than avenger
Gen 45:1-10 NASB
Brother’s Perspective – but we…
Joseph’s brothers lived from a “but we” perspective
"Joseph told us his dreams, but we resent him"
"Joseph brings us a message from dad, but we despise him"
"Here comes Joseph in his coat, but we will show him; we will sell him"
"Now dad is dead and Joseph is prime minister, but we will outsmart him"
This is self-preservation – again they default to deceit and fear
3. A Bother’s Forgiveness (vs. 19-21)
Gen 50:19-21 NASB

Joseph wept
Saw their torment
Saw their fear – extended forgiveness
Spoke kindly and comforted them
3. A Bother’s Forgiveness (vs. 19-21)
How could he forgive those who caused such pain?
Joseph's theology on pain and suffering is clear:
Joseph knew God was in charge not him:
Vs 19 - am I in God's place?
Rulers of nations – no authority except from God
God uses bad events to bring about good results
Gen 50:20 NASB "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.
Rom 8:28 NASB And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Work together – synergy (gr. Sunergeó) – NACL
God uses people to help other people
All of these events and people in Joseph’s life were to bring fulfilment of God’s promise of a nation & eventually the Messiah
Conclusion
Suffering is never wasted
Help others
2 Cor 1:3-4 NASB Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (4) who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Another picture here
A Saviour – the Lord Jesus Christ
Many parallels
He extends unconditional forgiveness
Spoke kindly and comforted them
Jesus Christ was despised, rejected, sold, shamed and put to death – for you
1Cor 2:7-8 NASB but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; (8) the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;

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