Meant for Good

January 22, 2012

Lesson: Genesis 50:15–26

Key Verse: Genesis 50:20

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Introduction

Joseph’s life is seen as a direct work of the divine providence of God. It had been revealed to Joseph that his family would bow down before him. Yet he was sold into slavery by his brothers. God had intended that His servant Joseph would be great in Egypt in order to redeem his people, Israel, from a great famine. Joseph, by God’s providence, became ruler of all Egypt, under Pharaoh. From this throne, he would see his brothers and his father, Jacob; he would be their redeemer.

We must keep our eyes upon Christ as we continue to look at the life of Joseph, especially in his last days. As Joseph was sent to Egypt by God for the good of His people, so Christ came for the eternal good of His people. We need the redeeming love of our Father in heaven. No one else could save us. No one, not even ourselves, could redeem us from the wrath of God. For God declared us to be sinners, transgressors of His Law, coming short of the glory of God our Creator. Christ came as the King of kings to put to naught the works of His enemies, even the works of Satan. He bore the shame of the cross of Calvary and brought victory into our lives. We praise our Father in heaven, who “according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3–4).

This is the Christ who was with Joseph, who by the power given Him in heaven and earth, redeemed His people Israel. He is the God who by Divine Providence delivered Israel during the time of famine. He is our God who by Divine Providence has delivered us from darkness to light. And He continues to override the evil of this world, daily, for the good of His people. Therefore, we should take to heart, with much confidence, these words of His Holy Scripture: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Joseph was called according to the will and purpose of God. Father Jacob had finished blessing his sons, commanding them that they were to bury him with his fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite. This was the place where Abraham and Sarah were buried, where Isaac and Rebekah were buried; and where Jacob lovingly buried his wife Leah. Joseph then fell upon his father and kissed him.

Upon his father’s death, he commanded the physicians to embalm Jacob. The Egyptians mourned the death of Jacob for seventy days. Joseph requested that he might keep the promise he made to his father, that he would be buried in the land of Canaan. Pharaoh gave him permission. Joseph departed for Canaan with the servants and elders of the house of Pharaoh, and of his own house. After the burial they all returned to Egypt.

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The Brother’s Fear—Genesis 50:15–17

The brothers, after the death of their father, Jacob, feared that Joseph would now take revenge on their deeds against him: “Perhaps Joseph would hate us?” Their fear held them back from speaking to Joseph face to face. So they sent some messengers to speak to Joseph for them. The brothers, once again, had to face their sin against God and their brother. We, too, are bothered by our past sins. We need to place them in the hands of our Lord Jesus, who came to take the punishment that we deserved, that we might know the Father’s forgiveness. We place them in the blood of Christ by repenting of our sins and asking for forgiveness.

The brothers did just this. They begged Joseph to forgive their trespasses. They actually admitted the evil they had done. The messengers told Joseph of their heart’s repentance. They appealed for forgiveness on the foundation that they were “servants of the God of your father.” We also ask forgiveness of one another on the same foundation; that we are children of God, one with another.

Joseph’s response was that he wept for his brothers. Joseph had a heart that desired to forgive. This is the spirit of 70 times 7; this is our prayer: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Discussion: What does it mean for us to receive forgiveness and to give forgiveness?

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Forgiveness Comes from God—Genesis 50:18–21

The messengers returned with a message that would burn into the hearts of the brothers of Joseph. How would they have painted the picture of Joseph’s weeping? The brothers hastened to the presence of Joseph. Once again they bowed down before Joseph, saying, “Behold, we are your servants.” They had bowed down before Joseph before; first, asking for relief from a famine, another time fearing the revenge of a brother they thought was dead. Now we see their hearts broken with true repentance. They have come to know that they have been forgiven. Joseph knows that true forgiveness and hope come from Jehovah, from the Divine intervention of the Almighty God. He asked them the question, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?”

When we ask forgiveness or give forgiveness to another, we are claiming forgiveness in the name or person of Christ, who has shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of sins. Every sin that is granted forgiveness is given through the shed blood of Christ. There is no other way to receive or give forgiveness. Forgiveness demands sacrifice, and this sacrifice grants reconciliation between man and God, and man and man.

Joseph continued to bring light upon their evil. His statement revealed the nature of evil in the hands of God. Sin and evil must be dealt with in order that forgiveness and reconciliation might be eternally secured. The wages of sin, death, have been taken care of in the shedding of our Savior’s blood. The power of evil is taken care of in the victory of the cross. The resurrection of Christ reveals, among other things, that our Creator and Redeemer sets us apart in this world by working all things together for our good, for those who love Him. Therefore Joseph says, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Do you hear these words from the Good Shepherd? He has laid down His life for His sheep. He is the Risen Shepherd who holds you in the hollow of His hand and will never let you go. Joseph said it to his brothers in this way: “Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” With these kind words he comforted his brothers and their families. Jesus put it to us in these words: “I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and am known by my own. As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. …My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish: neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand” (John 10).

Discussion: What is the meaning and action of forgiving?

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Death of Joseph—Genesis 50:22–26

Even at death Joseph expressed his love for his brothers, that they might know what is good and precious in this life. Joseph lived one hundred and ten years, abiding in Egypt. He enjoyed Ephraim’s children, “of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph’s knees.” The blessings of the grandparents are when their children’s children know their love.

Near death, Joseph spoke to his brethren: “I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” One of the greatest joy we have is when we can faithfully express to our children and children’s children the wonderful love and promises, as recorded in His Scriptures. David’s praise is ours: “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts” (Psa. 145:3–4). God’s “greatness is unsearchable” in that it is by God’s love toward us that He alone reveals His majesty and his glorious works.

Joseph took an oath that revealed the wonderful promise of God: “God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.” God’s promises are sure. His visit, His ever presence is our hope and our praise. Matthew Henry wrote: “Thus must we comfort others with the same comforts with which we ourselves have been comforted of God, and encourage them to rest on those promises which have been our support. Joseph was, under God, both the protector and the benefactor of his brethren; and what would become of them now that he was dying? Why, let this be their comfort, God will surely visit you.” May this be our comfort also, even the words of our Savior, “I will be with you always.”

Discussion: What blessings could the brothers of Joseph expect from the Lord?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.