Preach: overcoming evil with good, faith.

Genesis 50

15 And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

16 And they sent a message unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,

17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the transgression of thy brethren, and their sin, for that they did unto thee evil. And now, we pray thee, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we are thy servants.

19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

20 And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

This is a prophetic story of the coming redemption of mankind by Jesus Christ. A story very relevant to each and every person. The back story to this passage starts when Joseph is very young. He is the youngest of 10 brothers, but the first of his true love Rachel. This was the Son he had dreamt of and held out for against all odds. His favorite. Now his 9 brothers didn’t like the favor Joseph received from their father Jacob. On top of that, he has a vision that indicates that he will rule over his brothers. That really set the brothers off. One day they had opportunity to put Joseph out of the way, and so they did. Similarly, God held out for hundreds of years waiting for the right opportunity and the right woman. Mary, a virgin, bought forth a Son after a vision and Holy spiritual meeting with God. His Name is Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25). Long story short, Jesus suffers greatly at the hands of His people, just like Joseph and his brothers, and ultimately is put to death.

John 16:33 (ASV)

These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

But the parallel goes on, though the brothers figure that Joseph is out of the picture, he is not. A famine falls upon the land and Jacob with his family feel the pain of it. They find themselves without provision and are looking at the possibility of starvation if something doesn’t change. Life is hard and without provision and the continued stream of it, Life can be a very scary thing. Not knowing that you and yours will have enough to continue living is a serious concern. So too, not knowing what happens after death can be very disconcerting. But then, you hear a thing. Life, not death. It sounds like there may be something out there. Provision. It might be far away, but you think you can get there. You believe it could be true and set your course to go.

Hebrews 11:6 (ASV)

And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him.

Unlike the story, where Joseph is far away from his family, God is not far from us. However, the trek sometimes takes a person a lifetime. Lots of wrong turns and disappointments. But the evidence of God is forever in our sight. In nature, in people and in situations. Deep within each of us is a yearning for something better, something good, something great. A hope. Something so satisfying that you would never need satisfaction again.

Acts 17:27 (ASV)

that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us:

The brothers and the entire family of Jacob have found what they were looking for......they think. Not only did they find provision, they find Joseph. The brother they thought dead and forever gone. They have been living in great comfort since finding their brother. Finding that he is now a great man in the court of the Egyptian king. He has been a savior to them and their families. But there is a piece of unfinished business. The brothers have never forgotten the evil they did to their brother Joseph when they did away with him. They have never forgiven themselves, nor have they asked Joseph to forgive them. Who would ever think that a person could forgive someone who tried to kill them? Who, for all practical purposes, had given them up for dead. They ask for forgiveness. They know that they do not deserve it, but they ask anyway. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

1 Peter 3:11 (ASV)

And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.

Jesus Christ is your ready Redeemer. He is ever present to forgive your evil if you will turn to Him, believing with all faith that He will do it and more. He will also send His Holy Spirit to dwell in you. His Spirit to help you through every situation, to reveal His great provision, glory and love for you every day. Just like when Mary was found with child through a divine meeting, you too can be filled with that same HolySpirit. Christ alive in you.

Isaiah 55:6 (ASV)

Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near:

Don’t miss this opportunity, this is the day the Lord has made!