Joseph: Ordinary People, Extraordinary God

Please read Genesis 37:3-11. Joseph’s life certainly highlights our extraordinary God.  He was born to Jacob later in life and was highly favored.  To show his extreme affection for Joseph, Jacob made a colorful, extravagant coat for him.  Joseph appreciated it, but what Jacob may not have realized is that it further damaged an already bruised relationship between him and his 10 older brothers. To rub salt in wounds, Joseph shared not one but two dreams with his family about how they would someday bow down to him.  Fueled by anger and envy, the brothers devised a plan to get rid of Joseph.  Stripping him of his coat, they threw him into a pit for dead.  Reconsidering they retrieved him from the pit and sold him to merchants who brought him to Egypt to be a slave.  In the meantime, the brothers brought the tattered and bloody coat back to Jacob to confirm his attack and demise.  

     From the pit, Joseph arrived in a prison. He was falsely accused of seduction by an official’s wife and served several years.  While in prison, he met two high officials and interpreted their dreams.  As Joseph predicted, the baker was executed and the other, a cupbearer, released.  He reminded the cupbearer of his dream interpreting gift and sought his help for freedom.  He did not immediately comply, but Joseph remained hopeful…waiting for the fulfillment of what seemed impossible.  We too may be waiting for what seems elusive…have faith and persevere.  The timing needs to be right, not only on our end, but on the part of everyone else connected to the promise.  Years later, the cupbearer heard about the pharaoh’s troubling dreams and brought Joseph to interpret his dreams; Joseph always giving God the glory.  Each time he proved accurate and rose up the ranks eventually becoming second in charge of all of Egypt.  Yes, Joseph, a Hebrew from Canaan – who was sold and falsely imprisoned became the pharaoh’s number one man.  

     Joseph did not have training or degrees, yet defying logic he was given great responsibility.  He predicted a famine based on the pharaoh’s dreams and was given the authority to plan for food storage and distribution. This kept Egypt alive during the seven-year famine.  Joseph went from the pit, to the prison, to the palace – all by the hand of God.  

     Here’s the irony, in Canaan, Joseph’s hometown, famine also struck, and Jacob sent his sons to purchase grain.  They went to Egypt asking for help.  Unbeknownst to the brothers, they were talking with Joseph.  Recognizing them, he subjected them to trials and after a few meetings, he revealed himself to them – forgiving them.  The family was saved from famine and delivered to fortune.  Joseph’s entire family, including Jacob, relocated to Egypt, where they were given land to farm.  

     It took 22 years for God’s plan to come to fruition and through it all Joseph remained faithful.    Joseph’s life events serve as an inspiration for us.  Our trials and troubles may seem insurmountable but as we witness, with God, all things are possible.  Despite the injustices, Joseph never sought revenge.   His story proves God's ultimate control and God’s ability to work all things together for good.  Church, God chose him to help Egypt through the famine and planned for it way before his brothers tried to harm him.  It was our extraordinary God who gave this ordinary person intelligence, strength and faith to trust in Him. 

     In Genesis 45 (7-8), Joseph says to his family, “God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.”  This is the perspective we need to have.   Let’s ask ourselves, “What’s our role in God’s story, instead of what’s God’s role in my story?”  Joseph’s life reminds us that God has numbered our days and will fulfill every purpose He has for us, yet our choices and actions also matter.  We need to be active participants.  

     Today we celebrate the graduates, embarking on the next chapter of life.  No matter the obstacles, distractions and setbacks, we cannot thwart God’s plan.  Joseph teaches us to maintain integrity even when hard.  And when life does not go according to our plans and we feel like we are plummeting, we need to trust that God is in control and assured that God always provides!

     Maybe you are hearing this today because it’s been too long…it’s time to release the resentment and bitterness that’s damaging you and another.  Lift the veil of pride that’s blinding you in to thinking it’s ok or doesn’t bother you and in humility, forgive.  Joseph’s forgiveness highlights the opportunity we have to restore, reconcile, reach out, and love.  Let’s be the peacemakers.  Another part of Joseph’s story teaches us to always give God the glory, pointing to His power, and His providence.  Friends, let’s ask God to help us and humbly use us and our God given gifts to bless others.  And all God’s people say, amen!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Kerry  

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