“GOLD FROM AN UNLIKELY MINE.”

PREACHER: REV. DR. WILLY MUTISO.

TEXT: GENESIS 30 : 22 – 24.

INTRODUCTION:
Nearly everybody mentioned in the Bible has his or her dark side exposed. Noah got drunk. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all lied to save their own skins. Moses committed murder. David was guilty of adultery. Solomon was an idolater. Peter denied Jesus. John the Baptist doubted. In the verses we have read, we are introduced to a man called Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob. His name means “Jehovah has added.” He lived 110 years and there is no sin attributed to him. He is a portrayal of Jesus Christ. He endured trials. Hardships did not harden his heart. Riches and power did not corrupt him. He was unique. 14 chapters of the Bible are given to Joseph. The New Testament mentions Joseph four times (John 4:5; Acts 7:9-14; Heb. 11:21-22; Rev. 7:8). Joseph is a model – he never wavered, he never fell, he never complained. He had a victorious faith. The key verse is Gen. 50:20. God can take every circumstance in life, whether good or bad, and use it to make us stronger. Let us learn:

I. The miracle of Joseph’s birth.
A: The testimony of his birth.
.A family of controversy (Gen. 29:18).
.Laban another trickster (Gen. 29:23).
.Seven extra years of work for Rachel (Gen. 29:27-30).
.Within a week, Jacob had two young wives (sisters).
.Jacob loved Rachel and not Leah.
.No man has love for more than one wife.
.Children start arriving for Leah and not Rachel (Gen. 29:32 – 30:21).

B: The triumph of his birth
.Jacob was happy for his sons and daughter.
.But he was sad for Rachel.

C:The timing of his birth (Gen. 30:22-24).
.Joseph was the eleventh son born to Jacob.
.Reuben was Jacob’s first born.
.Like cream, Joseph rose to the top of the family.

II: Joseph’s boyhood.
A:The problem areas of his childhood.
.Children from four wives under one roof.
.Deception makes them run away (Gen. 31:17-21).
.Theft of family idols (Gen. 31:22-35).
.Jacob’s home coming to Esau is a challenge (Gen. 32:1-23).
.Joseph’s older sister is raped by Shechem.
.Simeon and Levi kill the men of Shechem (Gen. 34:1-31).
.Rachel dies while giving birth to little Benjamin (Gen. 35:16-20).
.Joseph’s grandfather, Isaac, dies (Gen. 35:27-29).
.Joseph is surrounded by rape, incest, murder, treachery, intrigue, idolatry, jealousy, death, and hatred.

B:The positive areas of his childhood.
.His father Jacob had an encounter with God (Gen. 32:24-32).
.God appears again to Jacob in Bethel (Gen. 35:1-4).

III: A message from Joseph’s battles.
A:There is a message of hope.
.Your childhood does not have to ruin you.
.Your past should not define your life.
.Just because you were raised around harsh circumstances does not mean you become harsh.
.Don’t blame your actions on others. Take responsibility and repent (Ezekiel 18:1-4).

B:There is a message for the home.
.Our homes ought to be centers of godliness.
.Our homes ought to be centers of the Gospel.
.We need to learn that you can be hurt in your Father’s house.

C:There is a message of grace.
.Despite being born in a dysfunctional home, God is still in control.
.The grace of God is sufficient, even for growing children.

CONCLUSION:
When God went looking for an Apostle to the Gentiles, He didn’t look inside the Church. He called Paul. When God wanted a new king, He did not go to Saul’s family. He went to Jesse. He chose Moses. He has chosen you. Trust Jesus Christ to bring you safely. You need to pray for your home-come. You want to forget your past-come.

HYMN;

I’D RATHER HAVE JESUS (Db)
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land;
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin’s dread sway;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I’d rather be true to His holy Name.

He’s fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He’s sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He’s all that my hung’ring spirit needs;
I’d rather have Jesus and let Him lead.