Joseph and the Crucible of Abandonment

Following Christ into the Crucible: How God Transforms Us through Testing
Joseph and the Crucible of Abandonment
Joseph - Genesis 37,39-50

Joseph a cocky Teen (Gen. 37:1-3)
1) Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.
2) This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.
3) Now Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him.
4-11) Dreams Happen…

Joseph is Abandoned (Gen. 37:11 - 41:1)
- by His Brothers (family)
o Gen. 37:11 …many were angry, BUT some kept it in mind (saw God in him)…
o Gen. 37:4-8 …simply was who he is – brothers hated him for it…
o Gen. 19-20 …death/sold (they throw him into a cistern)…

- by His Boss (employer)
o Gen. 39:3 …already in pain, yet folks saw God in him…
o Gen. 39:12 …ran from sin – gets his integrity called into question …
o Gen. 39:19 …thrown into prison (even though he does what's right)…

- by His cellmate (friends)
o Gen. 39:21 …more pain (psalm 105:18), yet folks see God in him…
o Gen. 40:12 & 18 …helps friends through a struggle – others have success through him…
o Gen. 41:1 …friend forgets about him (thrown out of his mind)…

Joseph a loving Man (Gen. 50:20)
19) But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
20) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
21) So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

“Love, not time, heals all wounds.”

Joseph goes through 13 years of pain and struggle... And because of his obedience through the crucible, he saves an entire culture and people group!!

Have you been Abandoned... How is God using it in your life??