08-09-20 – “The Life of Joseph – For our Good and God’s Glory!” – Genesis 37-50 – JD Tew

08-09-20 - "The Life of Joseph - For our Good and God’s Glory!" - Genesis 37-50 - JD Tew   The life of Joseph is recorded in Genesis 37 – 50.   It’s a story of Rejection, Redemption, Restoration and Reconciliation!   It’s about God giving HOPE in the worst of circumstances. Everyone can identify with Joseph.   Although the story IS about Joseph, the main Character is God and how He fulfills His PURPOSE and His PROMISE!  Genesis 50:20 - You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.  It was for Joseph’s good and God’s Glory! That’s a phrase that we need to remember if we’re one of God’s Kids. As we go through difficult times, hardship, suffering and find ourselves in some terrible PITS!   Be Faithful, Stay Focused… Shake It Off and Step Up…  WHY?!  It’s for my good and God’s glory!   A Few things we can take away from the life of Joseph…     * Instruction and Hope! God constantly uses the lives of those recorded in His word to teach us, encourage us, equip us, warn us and give us HOPE! Romans 15:4 – For whatever was written in earlier times (OT) was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. * Trust in God, not in circumstances! You will never lose when you obey God and do the right thing…  EVEN if we suffer the consequences!  If the PIT is what God has allowed then it’s NOT a PIT, it’s HIS PLAN! * Honor and Obey God NO MATTER WHAT! That’s the only HOPE we have for a successful future.  One that leads to Abundant LIFE here and for all eternity.  THAT MEANS: Be Men and Women of Godly Character and Integrity.  How we respond to situations, circumstance is critical for our good and God’s glory! * Humility and Forgiveness is extremely important to God. Through Humility and Forgiveness we learn how to break free of the things holding us hostage and hindering our relationship with Christ and others.  We break free from Pride and Unforgiveness! * How we RESPOND to what happens in our life DOES MAKE a difference. We pray this study of the Life of Joseph will challenge us to make a difference by BEING DIFFERENT!  (Being Christlike!) * GOD IS IN CONTROL! Even when we can’t see it and it makes NO SENSE and/or we don’t understand it.  It’s for our good and God’s glory! Romans 8:28- And we know that God causes everything to work together for the GOOD of those who love (obedience) God and are called according to HIS purpose for them. Phil. 1:6 - And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Background on Joseph’s Family:  Abraham was called by God to become the Father of the Nation of Israel. Gen. 12:1-3 - “The LORD had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” * Abraham’s Promised son Isaac marries Rebecca and has two sons, Esau and Jacob. * Jacob turns out to be a deceiver, a manipulator. He deceives Isaac for the Birthright of the family…  When Esau find out what has happened he threatens to kill Jacob…  and Jacob is sent to Haran, to live. * Jacob sees Rachel the youngest daughter of Laban. (Jacob is 77 when he meets Rachel.)  Jacob agrees to work for Laban for 7 years, for Rachel’s hand in marriage.  On Jacob’s wedding night at 84, Laban switches the girls out and Jacob is tricked into marrying Rachel’s older sister, Leah.  (At 84,