Don't Sit in God's Chair

Josephs brothers were very jealous of Joseph his father didn’t help by favoring him and giving him a coat of many colors. Joseph did not help his case by telling his brothers that they would bow down to him some day. So, in a jealous rage they threw Joseph down into a pit and left him for dead. A caravan came by and took him to Egypt to be sold as a slave. God was all Joseph had he was in a foreign land sold into slavery and he could have grown bitter unforgiving resentful angry he could have lost his faith but when God is all you have. you have all you need. Joseph is placed in a very high government position because Pharoh saw his character. Pharoh is having a terrible dream, and no one can interpret his dream, but Josep tells pharaoh the 7 skinny cows are 7 years of famine, and the 7 fat cows are 7 years of prosperity. Joseph tells Pharoh to prepare for the famine by storing up food and water. Pharoh says great get started on that right away, you got the job. Joseph stores the food and in seven years everyone is hungry, including Joseph’s brothers who come to buy food. They don’t recognize Joseph; many years have passed, and Joseph is a grown man he was a teenager when they threw him in the pit. Joseph feeds his brothers and has his dad and little brother moved to Egypt where he saves them all from starvation.  Joseph allowed God to work in his heart and free him from bitterness and resentment, he was able to forgive his brothers. How does Joseph forgive his brothers?

Let God be God do not sit in Gods chair.

Genesis 50:19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 

Joseph is not sitting in Gods chair

Joseph is letting God be God

He is not putting himself in authority. He relinquishes control. He yields to God we are not to be the judge or take revenge.

Joseph leaves all the righting of wrongs to God

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 

Joseph can see things from Gods perspective he tells his brothers that what you meant for evil God meant for good. In other words, God knows what He is doing. He is sovereign. The sovereignty of God means that He has total power and authority over everything in the world. As the ruler of all, He oversees everything that happens and is actively involved with His people and all of creation. This authority is seen in how He controls everything and is always present, guiding and caring for those who have a special relationship with Him. Because God is in control Joseph can say what you meant for evil God meant for good. Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

Genesis 50:21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Joseph responded with forgiveness and kindness to his brothers who had been so cruel. He let them know that he was not going to take the place of God and repay them for their terrible behavior because he saw life from Gods perspective, he trusted God’s sovereignty God was working all along for the good of everybody Joseph and his father and brothers Egypt. He spoke kindly, forgave and even made a tangible commitment to take care of his brothers and their children. Let God be God have Gods perspective, and you will be able to respond with kindness and forgiveness. These three things are the marks of a man who has been changed by the grace of God. Have you been changed by the grace of God? Put all your hope all your trust in Jesus you’ll be glad you did.