JOSEPH: THE EARLY YEARS…

(Genesis 37:1-4)

…You and I did not choose the families we were born into.  God’s providence has directed such things.  Perhaps you

  think God made a mistake.  He didn’t.  Your family and early life’s experiences did much to form you into what you

  are today.  Most importantly, it was your response to such things, which has really molded you, for good and bad.

…Such was true for Joseph.  He was born into a messed-up family experiencing all sorts of things.  Yet, God

  would weave all of this together to make he into a godly man.

…We are not victims.  In all things we have the choice to respond in a way that pleases the Lord.

TWO OBSERVATIONS ABOUT JOSEPH’S EARLY YEARS THAT

SHOULD ENCOURAGE US FOR GOD CAN BRING GOOD OUT OF BAD.

…For each of us lives in a Fallen world where sin happens to us, yet God is able and willing to bless us.

I.      The Formative Influences Of Joseph’s Life Show That He Was Born Into A

        Troubled Family.  (vv.1-2) Though Joseph is introduced to us at 17 years of age, we already

                know something about his family and early life-shaping events.

                A.            Joseph was the first born of his father’s favorite wife, Rachel.  It is said that Jacob had

                                worked for her for 14 years(29:20) and “it seemed as a few days to him.” 

                                …he, no doubt, felt particularly cherished being born by the woman loved by his dad.

                              …his dad, Jacob, had another wife, Leah, along with two concubines, who all gave him children. 

                                 This was never God’s intention for marriage.  One man and one woman for one life…(Gen 1-2)

                B.             Joseph moved in haste with his family from his grandfather Laben’s homeland to Canaan.

                                1.             This was not a peaceful journey.  It was made in haste and in fear.  He surely

                                                remembered riding with his mother on a camel, fleeing Laben, who caught up with

                                                them, and put down his weapons and left them unharmed.  (Genesis 31)

                                2.             Then, soon afterward, while still making the journey, he along with his family was

                                                terrified to hear that his uncle Esau was coming to meet them with 400 men…to see

                                                his family be sent forth in waves(to die) to meet him.  (Gen 32:1-21, 33:1-16)

                                3.             Then his father, that night, wrestled with the angel of the Lord into submission, and

                                                walked with a limp from that night until he died.  (Gen 32:22-32)

                                                …as he walked across the river he must have said to him, “Dad, what happened?”

                                4.             Then to be in the promised land at Bethel, and have his dad show him the very spot

                                                that the ladder had touched the ground.  (Gen. 28:10-22) (Gen. 35:1-6)

                (WHAT IMPRESSIONS THESE THINGS MUST HAVE MADE ON THAT YOUNG MIND.  HOW REAL

                GOD MUST HAVE SEEMED TO JOSEPH DURING THOSE TRAMATIC DAYS.)

                                …one man writes: “this may have been the turning point of his life.  Though his brothers were

                                unmoved, there was a deep response in his heart.  This God shall be my God forever and ever.”

                C.             Moreover, these impressions upon Joseph were soon deepened by 3 deaths.

                                1.             Deborah, his grandmother Rebecca’s aged nurse died.  She was a link to his past…

                                2.             Rachel, his own mother.  She was giving birth to Benjamin, and died soon after. 

                                                Joseph gained a brother, BUT he lost the most the most important person in his life.

                                3.             Isaac, his grandfather, died a short time later. 

                                                …These things made Joseph what he was.  We can never exaggerate the importance of

                                                  childhood events.  Character is formed at an early age.

II.     The Early Experiences Of Joseph’s Home Life Were Used By God For Good.3-4

                A.            Joseph was the favorite son and dearly loved by his aged father, Jacob. (v. 3)

                                1.             This favoritism was evidenced by the coat Joseph received from his dad.

                                                …it was not “many colors,” but was extended over the wrists and ankles.  This was

                                                  not a working man’s coat, it belonged to the boss or manager.

                                                …Joseph had now been chosen to succeed Reuben as his heir.  It was the father’s

                                                  sovereign choice in the matter.   (John 4:5  Joseph was Jacob’s heir)

                                2.             This resulted in his brothers hating him.  They were jealous of him. 

                B.             Moreover, his brothers hated him even more because he was different from them.  They were

                                godless and practiced all sorts of evil:  treachery, murder and incest.  He stood for truth.

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES: