• Joseph was vigilantly committed to a bigger role that God had in mind​
• He also was committed to a forgiveness and reconciliation which was from God and not of this world​
• Chapters Genesis 42-44 gives our context for today​
• In Joseph’s reunion with his brothers, his identity is kept secret and he looks nothing like the boy they once knew​
• A lesser man would’ve wanted to get back at his brothers, and he even had the opportunity to make his literal dreams real by making them bow down to him​
• The brothers had to come face to face with their sin, and they seemed to be at least somewhat repentant​
• Joseph lays down his demands harshly so he can gauge their character. ​
• But in his goodness, this is only temporary and he blesses them in reality​
• The 1st principle of power and authority is stewardship, and that is given by God as we see instituted and exampled in Genesis 1:26-28 for example​
• Also in Romans 13 and John 19:11​
• Ezekiel 34 shows God rebuking leaders for not caring for those in their care or easing their burdens. Also something similar is seen in Matthew 23 and Mark 10​
• But Joseph uses his God-given authority to provide and restore his people. He was properly meek​
• A 2nd principle of power and authority is that it plays out positionally and situationally​
• Joseph was put into this position and in this time and place specifically to use these powers for God’s will​
• In the wrong hands, this positional power is quickly governed by sin and is used selfishly as opposed to being for the benefit of others and God’s glory​
• A 3rd principle is that power comes through expertise​
• Pharaoh didn’t care about Joseph’s past–he cared about his expertise and competence in it. He was given prophetic insight and competence to manage the country in light of those insights​
• There is also psychological power. Joseph has them pegged and wrapped around his finger before he even takes any action​
• Improperly used, this can destroy relationship and abuse people.​
• Joseph also has the power to punish and persecute, but he dispenses grace and blessing instead​
• How does Joseph actually display his power and authority? A spiritual source of power is recognized and glorified by a leader who is godly​
• Paul understood his power and gave the correct narrative in 1 Cor 2. ​
• 1 Corinthians 2, Isaiah 40:29​
• The way Joseph used his power helped his brothers confront their sin and grow their relationship with God​
• There was no selfishness, bitterness or punitive motivation in Joseph’s heart. Secular methods would not have repaired or redeemed their relationship–but God’s way did accomplish this​
• In great or small opportunities and positions, how do we exercise our power and authority?​
• Do we dominate our kids or use godly wisdom to teach? Do we control our spouse or build unity with our power?​
• What brand of authority do we wield? We have a responsibility to serve others instead of self​
• Do we use a brand of secular power even to achieve godly goals?​

QUESTIONS​:

1. HOW DO YOU SEE AUTHORITY USED IN YOUR LIFE AND WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF IT?​
2. WHAT PURPOSE DOES YOUR POWER AND AUTHORITY SERVE?​
3. WHAT SPECIFIC TRAIT DO YOU WANT YOUR POWER AND AUTHORITY TO HAVE?​