Hope for the Hopeless
This is an exposition of Genesis 37:25-35. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, March 13, 2016.
Intro:
It was just one of those magical moments. One of those times when you least expect it. There I was sitting in driver’s ed as a high school sophomore, halfway listening to the lecture when he said it. It was a profound truth. One of those rare insights into life and its cruel realities. Coach Gibson said, “You had just best except the fact that they is mean folks in this world. Folks who would just as soon slit your throat and then go around the corner and have themselves a barbecue!” Crude but true. Life in this world of ours is often rotten and cruel. Things happen that ought not to happen. People get hurt who never should get hurt. People seem to never suffer – who ought to suffer! Life is often hard, bitter and cruel and believing in Jesus doesn’t make you immune from such a life. Not only can you expect to have your share of troubles in this life even as a child of God you can expect some trouble because you are a child of God!
How am I to handle those trials when they come along? How am I, as a believer, to respond to such difficulties? For some insight I want us to turn to the story of Joseph. I want us to consider the story of this great patriarch and learn something about responding to trials and tribulation in faith.
Joseph is a wonderful example for us. To be sure, he is a man. A man with his share of weaknesses and failings and yet a most extraordinary man. A man of great faith, courage and conviction. The favorite son of Jacob. The son of Jacob’s beloved Rachel. He was chosen by his father to receive the blessing of the firstborn and given preeminence over his brothers. As a result he became an object of scorn and hatred and the victim of a hellish scheme. We read about it in Genesis 37.
Text: Genesis 37:25-35
I really cannot image such a thing.
I have difficulty understanding the depth of this kind of hostility.
But I remind you there is more to this story than meets the eye.
It is not just a matter of a family feud.
There is strong reaction to the sovereign working of God.
There is hostility and resentment on the part of those “not chosen.”
This evening I want us to carefully and cautiously read between the lines of this passage.
I want us to consider Joseph in that cistern.
Nothing is said about this in the passage but I’m convinced it is there.
As we do so we are going to discover a profound truth. One that will greatly aid you in your effort to walk before the Lord in humble obedience and quiet confidence.
Thesis: The doctrine of God’s sovereign, providential care provides hope for the hopeless.
There is no recorded of Joseph’s fighting or resisting his brothers or of his complaining about what happened to him. While that is true there is a reference I had over looked. A reference that serves as the basis for our study this evening.
It is a remark made by his brothers in Genesis Genesis 42.
This is when they came to buy grain.
They did not recognize Joseph but he recognized them.
He said one of them must stay and the others are to return with their youngest brother.
In that context note Genesis 42:21: Then they said to one another, In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.
Now go back and put that in the white space between Genesis 42:24 and 25 of Genesis 37.
There are two things I want us to learn from this passage.
- Life in this fallen, broken world is often heartless and cruel.
- Believers find hope in a God who is faithful and true.
Conclusion:
Three great truths that you must cling to in order to preserve your life.
- God cares for you. (Luke 19:41 Jesus wept over Jerusalem) (1 Peter 5:7)
- God promises to comfort you. (Psalm 23)
- God preserves in His time.The doctrine of God’s sovereign, providential care provides hope for the hopeless.
Life in this fallen, broken world is often heartless and cruel.
Believers find hope in a God who is faithful and true.