Bible Study

Title: What's Best for Us
Date: Feb 25, 2010
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: 2 Kings 19:14, Genesis 50:15-21

<  previous date

next date  >

Years ago Ivory soap was one of America's favorite soaps. What made it so popular? It could float. But this attribute was not intentional--at least to start with. It was due to a mistake in its original production. In 1878, Harley Procter and James Gamble decided to create a new white soap that would rival the castile soaps made by their competitors. Their soap was a success, but in 1879 a worker accidentally allowed the soap solution to be over mixed. The new version of the soap was an immediate success because it bobbed to the surface of the water. That's the way it is in our lives. God turns even those things we consider evil into something good.

What Does God Say?

"When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, 'Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.' So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, 'Before your father died he commanded, saying, "Thus you shall say to Joseph: 'I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.'" Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

"Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, 'Behold, we are your servants.'

"Joseph said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.' And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them" (Genesis 50:15-21, NKJV).

● Joseph recognized that his brothers meant him evil, so why didn't he punish them?
● How did Joseph demonstrate that he truly forgave his brothers?
● Joseph saw that God brought good out of evil not only for him, but for whom?

My Thoughts

Keep in mind that Joseph's transformation from slave/prisoner to second-in-command in Egypt didn't happen overnight. When he was sold into slavery, he was a teenager. When he was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams, Joseph was a mature man. But during all this time, Joseph never wavered in his commitment to the Lord.

Some people become angry and even bitter at God because a tragedy occurs for no seemingly good reason. What advice would you give them based on the life of Joseph?

My Part

Maybe you or someone you care about has been unjustly treated. Write out this event in as much detail as you can. Bring this story to the Lord (maybe you would like to actually spread the page(s) out before the Lord as Hezekiah did in 2 Kings 19:14). Ask the Lord to 1) bring about justice in His own time, 2) bring good out of this for you and others, 3) give you patience and a positive attitude while you wait for Him to work. Then take the papers and destroy them putting the whole situation into God's hands.

Options

• Print Format
• Email a friend
• Help us provide Bible Minute

Search: