The Serpent's Suicide

Cody Hale

The Big Story • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

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Introduction

How big is God? Your answer to this question will determine everything else about your life. Your conception of the size and control and governance of God will determine how materialistic or how self-denying, how anxious or how calm, how joyful or how dismayed you are. It either sets you free to live beyond your natural limitations with confidence, or it condemns you by making you feel as though you have the whole world on your shoulders. It either allows you to look at the train wreck that seems to be your life with dread or with a sense of anticipation of how God is going to work through what hurts so bad into something that is good. So, your answer to the size of God is not about whether or not your pain and concerns and hardship are real, but rather how you are to interpret your real pain and how you are to respond to your real pain and what you are to believe about it.

The story of Joseph brings us to this question. Here is the man of God with the favor of God and the promise of God rotting away unjustly in an Egyptian prison during the prime of his life. And, the question that these hardships ask is: How big is God? Is God big enough to overcome his being in a forgotten prison cell in the wrong country? Is God even there at all?

God’s Word

Read Genesis 41:37-57

The Ironies of Providence (headline)

God seems to like to back himself into a corner. It’s moments of impossibility that provide him with the grandest stages to embarrass human self-reliance. So, God often displays his sovereignty by working through apparent contradictions. So, if you are in fact a child of God, if you have turned away from your strength and your answers and your goodness to place your trust fully in God, then yours is a life of ironies — at least from the perspective of the here and now. It looks like your failing when you’re succeeding; it looks like you’re sacrificing when you’re gaining; it looks like God has abandoned you when He’s at work in you. We believe in the enormity of God, and believing in the enormity of God gives us the confidence to live according to the ironies of providence (headline). Those ironies are what I want us to look at.

Every pain “behind” you is a crown “before” you.

41:40 “You shall be over all my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command.” The first irony that I want you to see is that every pain “behind” you is a crown “before” you. We left Joseph forsaken in a prison cell, rotting away at 28 years old. In fact, he would celebrate his 30th birthday in that dungeon. Chapter 40 ends with this double emphasis on how forgotten Joseph was: “Yet the cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” It must’ve felt like God was anything but attentive, anything but listening to his constant prayers. And then, Pharaoh has a dream and then another. All of the wise men of the court of Pharaoh were gathered, for two dreams that were essentially the same made it clear that the world of the divine was trying to speak to the world of men. But, none of his wise men could interpret the dream. None of them could tell him what the heavens were trying to say. And then, the cupbearer remembered. At just the right time and in just the right way, Joseph’s name comes up. He’d been right about the cupbearers dream, and he’d been right about the baker’s dream; so, maybe he could help Pharaoh too. As Joseph stands before Pharaoh, he tells Pharaoh that he actually has no ability to tell him what his dream means unless God shows him. But, God was pleased to show him. The dreams meant that, effective immediately, Egypt was going to experience seven years of unparalleled prosperity, but it was going to be followed by a seven year famine that was so extensive, so severe, so far-reaching that the world would forget the seven years of prosperity. He said that they needed to set aside a fifth of everything they took in so that once the famine hits they would have food for themselves and would be able to prosper by selling it to the world. As Joseph told Pharaoh their meaning, it must’ve appeared so clearly that it was hard to know why he or no one else hadn’t seen it already, and in words that were far truer than what the pagan king could’ve realized, he declares that Joseph is wise and understanding, “in whom is the Spirit of God.” Joseph had just hoped the cupbearer would remember him so that maybe Pharaoh might pardon him, but God’s plan was far greater. There may have been two years of languishing, but, over the course of a single day, Joseph is promoted out of the prison to become the prime minister over the most power country in the world. He was, quite literally, the second most powerful man in all the world to only Pharaoh himself.

Painful, but Certain

41:42: “The Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.” This is a testimony of how God works. It’s how He worked then, and it’s how He works now. He empties you before He fills you. He lowers you before He lifts you. He breaks you before He restores you. Listen to how this is written about by the psalmist in Psalm 105: “When he had summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt in fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; UNTIL what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. The king sent him and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free; he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions.” That’s the OT way of saying what Peter writes about Jesus and us: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” The path to glory’s crown is “painful”, but “certain”. It starts with the mocking voice then to the scourging post then to the bloody cross. It goes from bad to worse. But, the crown and glory are just as certain to come. That’s the guarantee of the resurrection. And, the crown comes not in spite of the pain, but through the pain.

New Clothes

There are at least two pictures of past pain turning to present crowns in chapter 41. Notice verse 42, and how it says that Pharaoh has Joseph clothed in the “garments of fine line”, the garments of royalty. Does that bring any thoughts to mind? “Garment” is the same word translated as ‘robe’ in chapter 37. It’s a garment that marks him as a his father’s favorite, and then it’s a garment that becomes the symbol of his brother’s hatred. It’s a garment that Potiphar’s wife uses to have him imprisoned. These garments are the symbols of his pain, the symbols of what he’s lost, the symbols of wrong his life has went. And, how is he crowned? He’s crowned with a new garment, a garment of glory and honor, a garment that was given to him, not because he had any wisdom in him, but because God had provided him the interpretation. God transforms the “markers” of our pain into the “praise” of his Name. “Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, THAT YOU MAY ALSO REJOICE AND BE GLAD when his glory is revealed.” He has new clothes given to him by God that reveal God’s kindness and glory through him!Every pain behind you becomes a crown before you.

New Future

“Manasseh” “Ephraim” So, the clothes are the first picture of past pain turning to a present crown, and the second I want you to see is his son’s names. God gives Joseph new clothes, and God gives Joseph a new future. That’s what the names of his sons represent. “Manasseh” means ‘made to forget’, and Joseph say that he chose it for his firstborn ‘for God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.’ In other words, God’s providence proved to be so sweet, so wonderful, so stupefying that the grace of today has overwhelmed the tears of yesterday. The grace of today has overwhelmed the tears of yesterday. He can’t even remember it now. “Ephraim” builds on this. It means ‘fruitful’, for God had made him ‘fruitful in the land of his affliction.’ He’s going to be feasting during the famine. He’s going to be calm in the calamity. His future has been secured because God has made it so. Glory has come so that now his past struggles showcase his present grace. “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad WHEN HIS GLORY IS REVEALED” Glory is certain. The future is given. So, rejoice today. The “glory” of tomorrow is more certain than the “pain” of yesterday. A BIG GOD view of providence allows you to share the gospel with your family even if they hate you for it. It allows you to move your young family to the Middle East, even if it seems irrational to everyone else. It allows you use your golden years being burdened by foster children. You don’t need glory now; the glory of the future is certain, even more certain than what it may cost you today.

Every power “beyond” you is “beneath” the God who sends you.

45:7 “And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth” The next irony that I want you to see is that every power “beyond” you is “beneath” the God who sends you. The famine is worldwide, and Canaan isn’t immune. Jacob and his 11 remaining sons begin to run out of food, and the word on the street is that Egypt has plenty for sale. So, he sends all of his sons, save Benjamin, in a caravan to Egypt in search of grain. There would’ve been many different stations where they could’ve purchased the grain, but they just happened to end up at the very one where the prime minister is overseeing the distribution, who unbeknownst to them, is actually their brother whom they haven’t seen in 20 years, since they sold him into slavery. Do you think this was by accident? What’s interesting is that what we’re witnessing here is the Exodus in reverse, isn’t it? The Israelites are leaving Canaan to go to Egypt, which is supposed to be a land flowing with milk and honey. What’s even more ironic than that is that God is going to save the world through Egypt. But, He is saving the world through Egypt so that He might bless the world through Israel. Providence is the “ocean” in which every “stream” empties. God is bringing every tiny, underground spring and every mighty river and every pouring rain storm together into a single ocean, a single plan, a single glorious story. Can you imagine how this would have read to the Israelites who heard this trying to escape slavery in Egypt? It must’ve seemed crazy, but if God could save them through Egypt, He could certainly save them from Egypt.

Setting the Scene for Grace

This is really the climax of the story. It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for, when the brothers would have to face their baby brother they’d sold into Egypt now that he’s the second most powerful man on earth. But, Joseph draws it out. They don’t recognized Joseph because he’s 20 years older, and so he uses it to his advantage. When they stand before him the first time, he detains Simeon and sends them back home for Benjamin, claiming he needs them to prove that they’re not spies. When they come back with Benjamin, he sends them home again, hiding a silver, divining cup in Benjamin’s sack. Jacob had made his brothers swear that they would return Benjamin, and Judah had even said that he would take the curse upon himself if Benji wasn’t returned. So, when Joseph sends the Texas Rangers after them to uncover the planted cup and informs them that Benjamin will now have to be his slave, Judah, the very same Judah that had spear-headed the plan to sell Joseph for personal gain, offers to sacrifice himself and take Benjamin’s place. The act of mercy is more than Joseph can bear. He begins to weep so violently that it’s as though he’s dying, so loudly that Pharaoh’s house can hear. Joseph’s strange response to his brothers wasn’t just him toying with them. It was serving a greater purpose. It brought to fulfillment the dream that God had given Joseph, and it drew out the repentance of Judah. They were different now. That is, it set the scene for grace. The brothers are shocked and terrified. Surely, this will be the day that they will get what’s coming to them. Joseph has had 20 years to harbor bitterness and resentment and to play out exactly how he would get even. But, grace. But, radical, wonderful, breath-taking grace. Read Genesis 45:1-8 with me.

Not a Bystander

Joseph’s life always seems to be defined by the actions and desires of others. It’s like he’s a bystander to his own life. He didn’t ask to be his dad’s favorite. Jacob made that decision. He didn’t want to be sold into Egypt. His brothers decided that. He didn’t do anything to warrant being thrown into prison. Potiphar decided that. And, if that’s the singular picture of how his life has come about and will continue to go, then he had better get while the getting is good. He better make those pay that have brought suffering to him. But, three times he says, “So, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” Joseph was not in Egypt primarily because of Jacob or his brothers or Potiphar or even Pharoah. They were all secondary causes simply doing what they wanted to do. The primary cause for Joseph being in Egypt was that God had sent him there. God had worked through Jacob’s favoritism and his brothers hatred and Potiphar’s injustice and Pharaoh’s dreams to bring his plan to be. Joseph isn’t a bystander. He’s a servant of the Most High God! Pharaoh is not ultimate. Joseph’s freedom is not ultimate. God is bigger. God is ultimate. God’s freedom is ultimate. Our present circumstances are beneath his sovereign rule. God’s plan and God’s kingdom ensure us that our end will be greater than our present. So, we can bless those who persecute us. We can honor the authority of a government which oppresses us. We can be gentle with a boss that accosts us. We can forgive our dad or husband or wife that betrays us. Because they are not ultimate, and we are not ultimate. God is bigger. God’s ultimate “authority” empowers his people to be “gracious” with the “ungracious”. Their injustice and hatred and meanness and betrayal will not be the final word! Every power beyond you is beneath the God who sends you.

Every problem that “befalls” you will ultimately “bless” you.

50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” And, that brings us to the final irony I want you to see that every problem that “befalls” you will ultimately “bless” you. Israel moves his whole family, all 70 of them, from Canaan to Egypt. And, they prosper, even as the Egyptians languish. And, at the ripe old age of 147, Jacob dies and his sons bury him. But, now, the guilty consciences of Joseph’s brothers flares up again. They become afraid that Joseph was only being kind to them for the sake of Jacob. And so, they devise a plan to try to ensure their safety, and Joseph stops them cold. With grace. He says, in one of the most powerful verses in all of the Bible, “As for you, you MEANT evil against me, but God MEANT it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” And, if you’re a Christian. You’re a Christian only because this glorious verse is true. He doesn’t let them off the hook; Joseph shows them how God overcame the hook for them. They meant what they did. They were guilty. They were evil. They were unjust. They betrayed him. They meant it. But, as evil as they meant to be, God meant it to be far more good. That’s the gospel. God doesn’t let us off the hook; God overcomes our hook. We meant it, but He means it more. There’s more “goodness” in God than there is “evil” in us. Again, nothing is more important that realizing the bigness of God!

Grace Metastasized

Joseph’s promise and Jospeh’s experience finally coalesce. He had experienced evil at the hands of virtually every important relationship he’d ever had in his life — except for God himself. But, that was enough. And so, here he is as the victim comforting his perpetrators. Joseph let grace metastasize and compound in his heart, not bitterness. Grace had won. The “retrospect” of providence is always grace, even though it may feel like a curse in the moment. Providence in retrospect forms a mosaic from the broken glass of our lives. This is grace. Liberating, life-changing, heart-softening grace — the kind of grace that allows you to comfort your perpetrators, the kind of grace that lets you forgive the unforgivable, the kind of grace that lets you rest in God’s blessing even when your afflicted by life’s evil.

The Gospel in Genesis

You see, from start to finish, Genesis is the story of the Gospel. In Genesis 3, the Serpent will strike man’s heel; man will crush his head, and in Genesis 50, God uses the Serpent’s attempts to end the Promise through murder to perpetuate the promise through grace. The Serpent doesn’t just “lose”; he takes part in his own “demise”. His is a mission of self-destruction and suicide because God has more grace than He has evil. The bitter cup turns sweet in the Lord’s hand. God saves Israel by Joseph’s return from death. The Promise isn’t just preserved; it’s partially fulfilled — the nations are fed by the hand of Israel’s son. God is that big.

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