Nate and Ryker in the Texas Hill Country

Providence  

Genesis 39 

Joseph, lesson 10 

Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So, Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant, and he made him overseer over his house and all that he owned he put in his charge. It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house on account of Joseph; thus, the Lord’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field. 

So, he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate. 39:3-6 

So Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail. But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. 39:20,21 

In the past I have shared with you a story of a friend whose daughter was in a tragic accident, close to death. Over many months, the daughter recovered miraculously. Whenever the father tells the story, he emphasizes the fact that ‘God is good.’ Being the amateur theologian that I am, I asked myself; ‘if the daughter had tragically died rather than recuperated, would we still say that God is good?’ 

That question gets right to the heart of the Providence of God, which I believe is one of the key themes of the story of Joseph. “While sovereignty addresses God’s authority to rule and govern his creation, providence addresses the manner in which he does so,” (Voddie Baucham, Jr.). The providence of God connects God’s purposes with the created nature of things and people. In other words, God directed the situation that led Joseph to Egypt but at the same time, the brothers acted according to their own purposes and inclinations. The providence of God directed the situation of Joseph but ALSO, the brother’s actions brought forth the situation, and they are responsible for their treacherous acts. God’s providence directed the death of Jesus on the cross to fulfillment. But the men who condemned Him and carried out the despicable act by their own hands are fully responsible as well. 

God’s providence is the delicate balance between God acting to accomplish His purposes and the natural order of things including men and women acting according to their nature. (It’s not easy to put into human words the depth and breadth of the unfathomable nature of God.) 

In some cases, God may directly intervene and directly change the course of a life or an occurrence. When the violent hater of God, Saul, was traveling down the road to Tarsus, the light of Jesus struck Saul and blinded him. Jesus spoke to Saul, who was renamed Paul, and his life was forever changed. God can take such dramatic action at times, but for the most part, God accomplishes His purposes by directing the natural course of lives and things. 

Providence, as I’m describing it, is different than God as a master watch maker. A highly skilled watch maker creates an exquisite timepiece and then lets it go out into the world without further intervention. In most cases, it works well for many years, the way the watch maker meant for it to work, but no further intervention takes place. Some believe God is like that. He created the world and now sits back, and watches chance unfold. This view of God lacks significantly as regards a sound and biblical view of God.

Few of us ponder the true attributes of God deep enough to determine how providence actually works. I’m pushing you this morning to consider such things.

In this chapter, Genesis 39, we will see that the Lord is with Joseph while he is blessed and rises to authority and trust within the household of his master and we will see that God is with Joseph when he is falsely accused and sent to prison. In both cases, Joseph’s behavior is consistent. He acts with character and godly integrity. God’s providence does not always correlate with an exact ‘success equation’. 1 + 1 doesn’t always = 2. Sometimes, we act nobly and with integrity and we receive earthly blessings and other times, our integrity leads us to be hated, falsely accused and to suffering. So, if that’s the case, how are we to feel comforted in God’s providence? Afterall, we prefer security and to know the comfort of being guaranteed God’s physical blessings when we do the right the thing. 

Our comfort should rest in the fact that God’s providence guarantees His good purposes are being accomplished in our lives and His good purposes are from an eternal viewpoint. Our desires for good purposes tend to be in the ‘here and now’. May God give us His eternal perspective always, especially during times of trials and difficulties. 

Father, to know You; to love You and to walk with You sometimes means we must put in the effort to reflect and consider the vastness of who You are and all that You are in this world. Especially, all that You are to us individually. We will never fully comprehend You this side of eternity. But we can know You more and more fully as we nourish on Your Word and reflect upon Your attributes. Bless us with keen insight and understanding of all You are. Great thoughts of God lead to great times of worship. All glory be to You always and forever! Amen!