Genesis 50:19-21

1. As I observe churches worldwide, I often ponder why they seek to connect with God. Is it out of a genuine desire to experience God's presence, or is it motivated by a desire for blessings and to outshine others? During my youth, I noticed that churches in South Korea began to grow significantly from the 1980s onwards. They attributed this growth to the prayers and dedication of their pastors. Korean Christians often refer to this as evidence of a revival led by God. If we only consider outward results like increasing numbers and having impressive facilities as evidence of God's work, our experience of God may remain limited. God's existence and influence extend far beyond external manifestations. Therefore, if we genuinely seek to experience God in our lives, our focus should be on God Himself.

2. Last week, we delved into the faith of Abraham. We examined how he responded to God's call, even though God wasn't initially his deity, god. Abraham's faith in God, his conviction that God would provide direction and blessings, led him to obey God's call without seeking specific instructions or methods. Now, let's turn to another example of experiencing God in the Bible: Joseph. While Isaac and Jacob also offer valuable lessons on following God, today, we'll explore how Joseph experienced God's presence and never forgot it, even in challenging situations. Let us read Genesis 50:19-21

Genesis 50:19–21 NKJV

Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

3. The story of Joseph is a familiar one, often heard in church or encountered outside of it as a tale of morals and success. Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob and the first son of Rachel. His birth was long-awaited, making Jacob hold a special love for him above his other children. This favoritism led to resentment and bullying from his brothers, eventually culminating in them selling him into slavery to an Egyptian family. Some people interpret this as a lesson in treating our children equally. However, if we view the story this way, the Bible becomes merely a source of moral instruction, akin to the Talmud. Instead, the story of Joseph imparts a deeper lesson. It teaches us how to perceive our present circumstances and comprehend the events unfolding around us.

4. One day, Joseph had a dream and shared it with his brothers, but they didn't believe in his dream. Later, he had a second dream, which his brothers also wasn’t accepted, but his father, Jacob, pondered it in his heart.

Genesis 37:9 NKJV

Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”

Genesis 37:10–11 NKJV

So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

5. Jacob held onto Joseph's dream because the Hebrew word "Haram" carries two meanings. One refers to dreams experienced during sleep, and the other signifies the lowest level of divine revelation from God. In Jewish tradition, dreams are not taken lightly, even when their interpretation remains unclear. When someone shares their dream, it's remembered and pondered. However, Joseph's brothers didn't take his dream seriously; they neglected it. This reflects how the Pharisees and religious leaders treated Jesus' teachings. Disliking Jesus, they refused to accept him as their Messiah and receive his teachings but chose to condemn him instead.

Acts 4:8–10 NIV

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

Acts 4:11–12 NKJV

This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

6. Just as Jesus faced rejection from his family and community, Joseph too experienced rejection and was sold into slavery. Despite being in a foreign land, Egypt, which was not considered God's chosen place, Joseph found success with God's assistance, and the people of Egypt witnessed his achievements.

Genesis 39:1–3 NRSV

Now Joseph was taken down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man; he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hands.

7. When I ponder the concept of identity, I'm reminded of a video I once watched. In this video, a professor demonstrated the idea using a $20 bill. He took the bill out of his pocket and asked his students if they wanted it. Naturally, all the students eagerly raised their hands to signify their desire to have it. Then, the professor crumpled the bill and posed the same question once more. Surprisingly, the students still raised their hands, indicating their continued interest. Finally, the professor tossed the bill onto the floor and even stomped on it. Yet again, when he asked if anyone wanted the bill, all the students raised their hands.

8. At this point, the professor provided a valuable lesson: "You've just learned something about identity. Your identity remains intact, just like your desire for that $20 bill. Its worth didn't change, even when it was crumpled and stomped on. This illustrates that our identity isn't defined by our circumstances or situations."

9. This lesson brings to mind the story of Joseph in Egypt. Even when he found himself enslaved and faced harsh circumstances, he didn't lose sight of his identity. Although the Bible may not explicitly state it, Joseph didn't forget what God had done for him during his time in Egypt. When he eventually reunited with his brothers, who had mistreated and sold him as a slave, Joseph openly expressed his faith and understanding of his situation.

10. I'd like to share a song with you called "You Know Better Than I," which is the title track from "The Prince of Egypt 2: Joseph's Story." Joseph sang this song while he was in prison, wrongly accused. Despite his difficult circumstances, he didn't lose hope and faith in God; instead, he confessed that God knows better than he does.

11. Joseph didn't lose his faith or sense of self despite his challenging circumstances. How did he manage to hold onto them? He didn't let his emotions dictate his path. When people face tough situations or trials in their lives, it's common to reflect on past mistakes and start blaming themselves. However, this isn't the way to overcome challenges. Joseph teaches us that we should focus on ourselves rather than fixating on the situation. We need to understand who God is and who we are, consider what God has given us, and assess our current situation. Much like Joseph, we might find a small seed or opportunity in our circumstances. With faith in Jesus, we can nurture and grow that seed. This is the path to overcoming and enduring trials and challenges.

12. Before I met my wife, I had reservations about forming a family due to my parents' tumultuous relationship. Their divorce when I was 22 left a deep scar on my heart. Witnessing their strained relationship for 22 years had given me a negative perspective on marriage. Overcoming this skepticism was a challenge until I encountered Minju. The moment I first saw Minju, I felt like God had planted a small seed in my heart, much like the seed Joseph discovered. I knew, without anyone telling me, that I could marry her. We began dating, and within three months, we were married. If I had remained stuck in my past fears and doubts, I wouldn't be married, wouldn't have our precious child, Choah, and wouldn't be where I am now.

13. If we examine our current situation through the lens of our past actions and believe that our present circumstances are shaped by our past choices, then having a successful past is not an issue. However, if our past was problematic, it can lead to challenges in our present. The outcomes we currently face may seem like a tragedy or a problem due to our past actions. In such a scenario, how can we find comfort in the belief that God is with us at this moment? How can we feel the love of God when our current situation appears to be a result of past problems? Consider the example of Joseph. If Joseph had dwelled on his past, particularly when he shared his dreams with his brothers, and believed that his life in Egypt was a consequence of the problems arising from sharing those dreams, how could he have expressed the sentiments found in Genesis 50:19-21?

Genesis 50:19–20 NLT

But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

14. Everything, whether good or bad, falls under the guidance of God. While our past may influence our present, we should interpret our current situation with a focus on the present rather than dwelling on the past. It's important to recognize that the "I" in between our past and present is not the same. When we adopt this perspective, we can make the same declarations of faith that Joseph and Paul did.

Romans 8:28–30 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

15. Today is the Sunday school Kickoff. What have we prepared for Sunday school? Have we gathered a comprehensive set of moral instructions and philosophies? If that's the case, it would mean teaching the children to dwell on their past. Is that our intention? Absolutely not! If I wanted to teach in that manner, I wouldn't choose to be a pastor. Instead, I aim to guide them in viewing their present through God's perspective, much like Joseph did. My goal is to impart God's plan to the children, enabling them to envision God's future for themselves.

16. If we let our emotions rule us, we won't experience God's presence, as emotions can be unstable. Instead, we should set aside our feelings and meditate on God's love and divine nature with unwavering faith. God isn't confined to a single religion, nor does He only address our emotional needs. He is the Creator of the world and us, the One who guides us, and the God who loved us so much that He gave us His only begotten Son. Believe in God and in Jesus Christ. God is on our side, leading and guiding us. He will make His presence and love known in our current situations and moments because we are God's children and chosen people through Jesus Christ, our Lord.