Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 26, 2024

But God Meant It for Good

Genesis 50:15-26

“The hand of providence has been chopped off altogether and with the amputation we are left to grope alone in a hostile, or even worse, indifferent universe.” (R. C. Sproul)

1. Background

• The Family Gathered to Egypt (47)
• Jacob Blesses Joseph’s Sons (48)
• Jacob Blesses His Sons (49)
• Joseph and His Brothers Bury Jacob in Canaan (50:1-14)

2. Joseph’s Brothers Fear Retaliation (50:15)

• fears/anxieties resurface
• Jacob had lived for 17 years in Egypt (see 47:28)

3. Joseph’s Brothers Relay a Message Attributed to Jacob (50:16-17)

4. Joseph’s Gracious and Assuring Response (50:18-26)

• sold, slandered and snubbed
• deepened and not deadened by life’s extremities
• clarity about his “place” and God’s “place”
• compassion without minimizing sin: “…evil against me…”
• compassion grounded in grace: “…but God meant it for good…”
• expressing confidence in future “visitation” (connection to Christ)

5. So What?

• Embracing the principle of God’s providence enables you to extend His grace to others.
• “As long as the cross stands in history, no one who knows its meaning will be able to pronounce a limitation on God’s providence.” (Boice)
• If you believe God is in control…
• “Every joy or trial falleth from above, traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love; We may trust Him fully, all for us to do; They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.” (Havergal)