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Uncommon Joe

Written by Dan Esau. Posted in Unfair

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Background...

  • We're talking about the life of Joseph.
  • His father is Jacob and mother is Rachel.
  • Jacob had 12 sons by four women, two were sisters.
  • Joseph was Jacob's firstborn from Rachel (Jacob's true love) who had another son, Benjamin.

Question for today... What's Joe do with...

A Vision? (Genesis 37:5-11)

  • Two visions from God at 17! That's a boatload of responsibility!
  • Joe had a choice when he received his visions... Keep it quiet or tell and let the chips fall!
  • Remember that his brothers already had a problem with the coat and dad's attention.
  • It was really because of Joe's dad's (Jacob's) choice to do what is right, in God's sight, by the firstborn of his true love (Rachel) that started all of this.
  • In these two dreams, God is revealing Joe's future in a way he could not understand at the time.
  • Why did God trust Joe with those two visions?

A Household? (Genesis 39:1-4)

  • Joe is sold to Potiphar to be a slave.
  • Joe chooses to do what is right and prospers in all he does.
  • Joe even does what is right when no one but Potiphar's wife can see.
  • Why was Joe trusted with everything Potiphar owned?

A Prison? (Genesis 39:20; 40:23)

  • Joe is accused of molestation from Potiphar's wife and goes to prison.
  • Joe chooses to do what is right in prison and they gave him special privileges.
  • Joe chooses to do what is right by the other prisoners (their dreams).
  • Why was Joe trusted even in prison?

A Country? (Genesis 41:39-43)

  • Joe's choice to be faithful in prison allows him to hear the kings dreams.
  • Joe chooses to tell the king the meaning of his dreams.
  • Joe is put in charge of the land of Egypt.
  • Why was Joe trusted with the country of Egypt?

A Heritage? (Genesis 45:7)

  • Joe sees what is happening to the people and the country around him (famine).
  • Joe sees how God's hand has been in all that has taken place in his life through his choices.
  • God shows Joe how his choices not only save his family, but the entire heritage of the Jews!
  • Why did God trust Joe with an entire race of people?

UnCommon Apps

  • Impatient Choices...
    • When we see a glimpse of what God wants to do in our lives, we tend to want to run ahead!
    • When God opens a door to choose, go for it, but be sensitive about the pace and direction!
    • When we run ahead, we show God we can't be trusted... Remember when Moses had impatience? It didn't turn out good for him and it won't for us.
  • Enticing Choices...
    • When we choose to follow God, we will encounter enticing offers. Remember Potiphar's wife?
    • The reward for our choices ALWAYS comes from God, NOT from Satan.
    • Your choices will always be challenged by Satan and his demons!
    • When enticement comes your way because of the choices you've made... RUN!
  • Revengeful Choices...
    • Sometimes our choices will cost us dearly. DO NOT have the temptation of looking back!
    • When our choices cost us something, we might want revenge on those that were responsible for the cost.
    • Revenge will take us away from where God wants us to go because of our choice.
    • When we seek revenge we play right into the hand of Satan and he will win through us!
  • Conclusion...
    • At certain times, Joe's life looked real unfair! Why did God use Joe's life the way he did? Because...
      • Joe chose NOT to allow adversity to harden his character!
      • Joe chose NOT to let prosperity ruin him!
      • Joe chose to be the same person in private as in public!
      • God made Joe's life great because of Joe's choices!