Light In The Pit III

Genesis 40:15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.

We sure do have a strong sense of fairness and getting what we deserve — especially if it is positive!

Hard work deserves compensation. 
Respect given deserves respect in return. 
Right living deserves experiencing smoothness. 

Joseph was looking at the equation of his circumstances and was landing in the posture of — This is not fair!

Maintaining sexual purity should not mean isolation.

Protecting the sanctity of the marriage bed should not involve prison.

Exhibiting integrity and honesty in responsibilities should not result in dungeons.

“Forcibly carried off” to a place that is far from desired is not fair! It is not deserved!

Sometimes our strong sense of fairness and getting what we deserve can be difficult:

• It became part of the mix that led the original couple to rebel against God (Gen 3)
  

• It was a motive that kept two brothers away from God’s best (Lk 15)
  

• It was the focus of an argument between friends that only God resolved (Job)
  

In fact, only God can resolve our sense of fairness and getting what we deserve — and the resolution included a cross. (How does that align with our strong sense of fairness and getting what we deserve?)

Perhaps our sense of fairness and getting what we deserve needs an adjustment.
And based on Joseph’s statement in Gen 50:20, God can do that adjustment!

Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Sunday, January 24, 2021
Light in the pit 
Genesis 40

Pastor Brad Mann
brad@claycentercovenant.com