As a modern day example, a lot of the hatred and hostility on social media today comes from envy and jealousy… many feel the need to try and exalt themselves by pulling others down. It led to Joseph's brothers not being able to say one nice thing to him. Gen 37:4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Can you imagine having 10 older brothers? Can you imagine looking up to ‘your big bros’ and trying, as the younger brother, to please them? And what did he get in return? He was hated, rejected, stripped from the support of his Mother and Father, being cast away by his own brothers and left for dead in a pit. The rejection that he experienced was huge. The first is clear: Jealousy, hatred and rejection! Joseph went through many things… but God was with Him! And God rescued him from all his troubles! What are some of the ‘troubles’ that Joseph had? What things did he experience that could have derailed his life? What could have messed him up leaving him damaged and twisted? He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace. But God was with him (10) and rescued him from all his troubles. The 'But God' overriding principle that changes livesĪct 7:9-10 Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. Let's jump straight in with the overriding 'But God' principle for Joseph and our lives today.ġ.
Such tremendous lows followed by amazing highs. If ever there was a roller-coaster of a life, this is it. Of all the amazing Old Testament stories in the Bible, it could be easily argued that the life of Joseph tops the lot.
Then see how the Spirit of God writes in luminous letters, but God, and the whole situation changes into victory."Ĭlearly I'm biased given my current series but those are great words and they could not be truer for the next 'but God' recipient in the Bible that I want to look at in this study - and that is Joseph. See how many times human resources have been brought to an utter end despair has gripped the heart and pessimism and gloom has settled upon a people and there is nothing that can be done. "If you want a wonderful experience, take your New Testament and use a concordance to look up the two little words, but God. Without looking for it, I came across this quote this week which falls right into alignment with what we have been looking at: Three 'But God' moments that changed Joseph's life
Bible Study Series: 'But God Bible Verses'