• This month is taking a look at Joseph and his part in God’s greater thread of narrative
• We tend to remember narratives with broad strokes, and this leaves plenty of room to even misremember details
• “Be faithful and God will bless you” is a common moral we take from Joseph’s story. But reading afresh, we can find much more
• Genesis 40 & 41
• Repeatedly we see that pagan leadership sees Joseph’s godly qualities and statements of proof to the glory of God, and ironically Joseph’s family–God’s people–don’t.
• Joseph has the wrong, house, land, robe, and even father. Also new authority and a new name. The pagans embraced him in these ways–but they’re not the right ones for him. These are not the blessings we should seek
• Joseph interprets his experience in Egypt as ultimately sad–even though he is greatly blessed. He names his kids with Hebrew names, and calls Egypt the land of his grief. He yearns for the right blessings of being connected to God’s people
• Joseph views himself as a part of God’s covenant people and belongs there, despite his authority, power, and wealth in Egypt
• Likewise, our very best day doesn’t hold a candle to our rightful and intended place with God
• Philippians 1:21
• We should never get comfortable with our blessings given in an incorrect circumstance
• Genesis 45
• Joseph asks for Benjamin to stay, and Judah volunteers to sacrifice and take his place
• Genesis 45:1-8
• When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and makes clear God’s use of him, which is ultimately to preserve God’s promised seed–through Judah
• Judah, who had stepped forward to take the place of the innocent as a ransom
• Joseph’s blessings through faithfulness is not the point of this great narrative. It’s the preservation of God’s plan and Gospel message–entwined through evil and misfortune, to make good on God’s promise
• God’s plan sought to provide for exactly what Joseph desired most deeply

QUESTIONS:

1. WHAT NEW PERSPECTIVE DOES JOSEPH GIVE YOU WHEN IT COMES TO GOD’S PROVIDENCE
2. WHAT DO JOSEPH’S CHOICES TO REP HIMSELF AS GOD’S PEOPLE INSPIRE YOU AS YOU MOVE ABOUT LIFE?
3. HAS THERE BEEN A TIME IN YOUR JOURNEY WITH GOD WHERE YOU’VE BEEN TEMPTED TO TRADE A LONG TERM BLESSING FOR A SHORT TERM ONE?