What Men Design for Evil, God Designs for Good

Introduction:

Genesis 12:1-3 – God chooses Abraham.This is the beginning of Israel – thru whom would come Jesus, the Messiah. In Genesis 15 – God makes a formal covenant with Abraham. God makes a promise to Abraham, 15:13-16.  God predicts a 400-year stay in Egypt and a return to Canaan. They would be sojourners in a land not theirs – Egypt. Note…how God is planning for 4 centuries of affliction & suffering for His people. It should not surprise us what Paul said in Acts 14:22 - Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Today, we will see how the Genesis 15 prophecy is fulfilled.

I. Background.

A.       Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jospeh.

B.       37:19-20 – Joseph’s brothers take an opportunity to take revenge on him.

1.        Sell Joseph into the slave trade (37:25).

C.        In Egypt, Joseph bought by Potiphar – 37:36.

1.        Joseph serves Potiphar faithfully.  Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce him. He flees adultery and…she lies…he is put into prison….in spite of his righteousness.

2.        Joseph serves the jailer faithfully & is given trust & responsibility.

3.        Eventually brought out of prison to interpret a dream of Pharaoh.

4.        41:40 - He is made commander in Egypt.

D.       Seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine strike Egypt.

1.        Joseph’s brothers hear there is grain in Egypt and they go for help.

E.        Joseph invites them to Egypt to save their lives.

II. Biblical Descriptions of this fulfillment

A.       God sent Joseph to preserve life. - Genesis 45:5

1.        See Psalm 105:16-17 – God summoned the famine. God prepared the deliverance.

B.       What man designed for evil, God designed for good. 50:19-20

1.        In the very act of evil, there were two different designs:

                                                                    a.       In the sinful act, they were designing evil.

                                                                    b.       In the same sinful act, God was designing good.

III. A Connection to Jesus

A.       Salvation comes through sin and suffering.

1.        In the story of Joseph, we see a foreshadowing of the patience, humility, and servant hood of Christ , all while saving the very ones who were trying to get rid of him.

B.       The suffering one is righteous.

1.        Joseph stands out in today’s story – amazing constancy, consistency in faithfulness to every relationship. What was Joseph’s reward?

2.        Think of Jesus. He was the ultimate and perfect righteous one.

C.        The scepter will not depart from Judah.

1.        Genesis 49:8-10 – Prophecy of the coming, final, King of Israel, the Lion of Judah,

2.        This is fulfilled in Jesus.  Revelation 5:5

Conclusion:

A.       We will love him & praise Him & obey with joy forever. Revelation 5:9-10

B.       Yes, the righteous will have to suffer. God can work through these things for our ultimate good.

1.        If you find yourself in a dire situation, trust that God is at work. And that ultimately, you will find deliverance.

C.        Outside of Christ? You are in a dire situation.  Give yourself to God – so that you can find deliverance from your sin and find hope of eternal life.