God Meant It for Good

God does this so often. This is not an God does this so often. This is not an exceptional story. This is a typical exceptional story. This is a typical exceptional story. This is a typical biblical story. biblical story. biblical story. This is the way it happens over and over This is the way it happens over and over This is the way it happens over and over again. God takes the very sins of the again. God takes the very sins of the again. God takes the very sins of the destroyers destroyers destroyers and makes them the means of their and makes them the means of their and makes them the means of their salvation. salvation. salvation. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. The way God turns things on their head. The way God turns things on their head. The way God turns things on their head. Over and over again. Job, Esther, Over and over again. Job, Esther, Over and over again. Job, Esther, Joseph, Jesus. Joseph, Jesus. Joseph, Jesus. It's all over the Bible. He does it this It's all over the Bible. He does it this It's all over the Bible. He does it this way. >> Joseph's story is one of those places >> Joseph's story is one of those places where the Bible will not allow us to say where the Bible will not allow us to say where the Bible will not allow us to say less [music] than it says. less [music] than it says. less [music] than it says. His brothers meant evil, real evil, and His brothers meant evil, real evil, and His brothers meant evil, real evil, and yet God meant that same act for good. yet God meant that same act for good. yet God meant that same act for good. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. In this episode of Light and Truth, In this episode of Light and Truth, In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper opens the story of Joseph to John Piper opens the story of Joseph to John Piper opens the story of Joseph to show how God rules over sin without show how God rules over sin without show how God rules over sin without becoming sinful and turns even the worst becoming sinful and turns even the worst becoming sinful and turns even the worst intentions toward the saving glory of intentions toward the saving glory of intentions toward the saving glory of Christ.

Christ. Christ. This message [music] was originally This message [music] was originally This message [music] was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on September 9th, 2007. Father, this story that we're about to Father, this story that we're about to open is one of the greatest stories in open is one of the greatest stories in open is one of the greatest stories in the Bible. the Bible. the Bible. It is so full of hope It is so full of hope It is so full of hope for people who can't make any sense out for people who can't make any sense out for people who can't make any sense out of the troubles they're in. It is so full of Christ It is so full of Christ and his ways with us. And so I pray for help to be faithful to And so I pray for help to be faithful to this this this inspired biblical story and I pray for inspired biblical story and I pray for inspired biblical story and I pray for the experience of it in my own life and the experience of it in my own life and the experience of it in my own life and I pray for everyone in the hearing of my I pray for everyone in the hearing of my I pray for everyone in the hearing of my voice that we would voice that we would voice that we would learn learn learn about Jesus here and learn about how to about Jesus here and learn about how to about Jesus here and learn about how to live under the perplexing providences of live under the perplexing providences of live under the perplexing providences of life.

So, draw near now So, draw near now and be our teacher. and be our teacher. and be our teacher. And if there is any And if there is any And if there is any here or here or here or downtown campus or north campus who are downtown campus or north campus who are downtown campus or north campus who are without Christ watching this, listening without Christ watching this, listening without Christ watching this, listening to this. to this. to this. I pray that there would be a powerful I pray that there would be a powerful I pray that there would be a powerful movement of your Holy Spirit to awaken movement of your Holy Spirit to awaken movement of your Holy Spirit to awaken dead hearts to experience spiritual dead hearts to experience spiritual dead hearts to experience spiritual reality. reality. reality. See Christ for who he is, embrace him, See Christ for who he is, embrace him, See Christ for who he is, embrace him, trust him, and be rescued from the wrath trust him, and be rescued from the wrath trust him, and be rescued from the wrath of God. of God. of God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Before we retell the story now of Joseph Before we retell the story now of Joseph and the spectacular sin and the spectacular sin and the spectacular sin of his brothers and its global purpose of his brothers and its global purpose of his brothers and its global purpose in the glory of Christ, we need to back in the glory of Christ, we need to back in the glory of Christ, we need to back up up up to Genesis chapter 12.

God chose Abram God chose Abram from all the peoples of the world freely from all the peoples of the world freely from all the peoples of the world freely by grace, not owing to anything in by grace, not owing to anything in by grace, not owing to anything in Abram, Abram, Abram, to make his own people. Genesis 12:2 and 3, he makes a promise Genesis 12:2 and 3, he makes a promise to Abram. to Abram. to Abram. I will bless and make your name great, I will bless and make your name great, I will bless and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. so that you will be a blessing. so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth and in you all the families of the earth and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." will be blessed." will be blessed." And so there And so there And so there is the beginning of the people of Israel is the beginning of the people of Israel is the beginning of the people of Israel through whom would come Jesus Christ, through whom would come Jesus Christ, through whom would come Jesus Christ, the son of God, the son of God, the son of God, to save us from our sins. to save us from our sins. to save us from our sins. Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Chapter 15 has something very unusual in it. has something very unusual in it. has something very unusual in it. It's an unusual act, and it's unusual It's an unusual act, and it's unusual It's an unusual act, and it's unusual words. words. words. In Genesis 15 In Genesis 15 In Genesis 15 13 to 16, God makes a formal covenant 13 to 16, God makes a formal covenant 13 to 16, God makes a formal covenant with Abraham.

He cuts some animals in half, He cuts some animals in half, tells him to walk through the animals in tells him to walk through the animals in tells him to walk through the animals in the dark as darkness settles, the dark as darkness settles, the dark as darkness settles, and then he says something absolutely and then he says something absolutely and then he says something absolutely stunning. stunning. stunning. Genesis 15:13. Genesis 15:13. Genesis 15:13. "Know for a certain, "Know for a certain, "Know for a certain, Abram, Abram, Abram, that your offspring will be sojourners that your offspring will be sojourners that your offspring will be sojourners in a land in a land in a land that is not theirs, that is not theirs, that is not theirs, and will be servants there, and will be servants there, and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for 400 and they will be afflicted for 400 and they will be afflicted for 400 years. But I will bring judgment on the nation But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve. that they serve. that they serve. And afterward, And afterward, And afterward, they will come out with great they will come out with great they will come out with great possessions." possessions." possessions." Verse 15. Verse 15. Verse 15. "And they will come back here in the "And they will come back here in the "And they will come back here in the fourth fourth fourth generation." 16, "They will come back generation." 16, "They will come back generation." 16, "They will come back here in the fourth generation here in the fourth generation here in the fourth generation for the iniquity of the Amorites is not for the iniquity of the Amorites is not for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete."

That is a strange way That is a strange way to begin a covenant relationship with to begin a covenant relationship with to begin a covenant relationship with your people. One of the very first things he says to One of the very first things he says to his chosen people is first we begin with his chosen people is first we begin with his chosen people is first we begin with 400 years of affliction. 400 400 years. years. years. Let it sink in. Let it sink in. Let it sink in. America has been here what? 230 some America has been here what? 230 some America has been here what? 230 some years. They will be afflicted 400 They will be afflicted 400 years. years. years. That's what it says. They're not going to inherit the They're not going to inherit the promised land promised land promised land now.

now. now. That's for That's for That's for later. There are many reasons. One is mentioned There are many reasons. One is mentioned here. here. here. The iniquity The iniquity The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet of the Amorites is not yet of the Amorites is not yet complete. It's going to take It's going to take 400 400 400 years for enough sin to accumulate among years for enough sin to accumulate among years for enough sin to accumulate among the Canaanite peoples so that when the Canaanite peoples so that when the Canaanite peoples so that when Joshua does his brutal massacres, Joshua does his brutal massacres, Joshua does his brutal massacres, it will make sense. Just takes your breath away. Just takes your breath away. Deuteronomy 9:5 says this about why the Deuteronomy 9:5 says this about why the Deuteronomy 9:5 says this about why the peoples of Canaan are destroyed by peoples of Canaan are destroyed by peoples of Canaan are destroyed by Joshua.

It says, It says, "Not because of your righteousness, "Not because of your righteousness, "Not because of your righteousness, Joshua and the Israelites, not because Joshua and the Israelites, not because Joshua and the Israelites, not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your righteousness or the uprightness of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to of your heart are you going in to of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the possess their land, but because of the possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord wickedness of these nations, the Lord wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God is driving them out before you your God is driving them out before you your God is driving them out before you that he may confirm the word of the Lord that he may confirm the word of the Lord that he may confirm the word of the Lord that he swore to your fathers, to that he swore to your fathers, to that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. The conquest of Canaan by Joshua, 400 The conquest of Canaan by Joshua, 400 The conquest of Canaan by Joshua, 400 years later, is a judgment from God on years later, is a judgment from God on years later, is a judgment from God on the Canaanite peoples the Canaanite peoples the Canaanite peoples because their sins are now because their sins are now because their sins are now full. Little stop for little application. This Little stop for little application. This is not the main point of the sermon. is not the main point of the sermon. is not the main point of the sermon. In view of how God In view of how God In view of how God begins his relationship with his begins his relationship with his begins his relationship with his covenant people, starting with 400 years covenant people, starting with 400 years covenant people, starting with 400 years of affliction, does it surprise you that of affliction, does it surprise you that of affliction, does it surprise you that when Paul was returning on his first when Paul was returning on his first when Paul was returning on his first missionary journey from Iconium to missionary journey from Iconium to missionary journey from Iconium to Lystra to Derbe and doing a little basic Lystra to Derbe and doing a little basic Lystra to Derbe and doing a little basic discipleship with these brand new discipleship with these brand new discipleship with these brand new Christians, Christians, Christians, Luke says the one thing Luke says the one thing Luke says the one thing he said, he said, he said, There are other things, I'm sure, but There are other things, I'm sure, but There are other things, I'm sure, but Luke only mentions one thing in Acts Luke only mentions one thing in Acts Luke only mentions one thing in Acts 14:22.

14:22. 14:22. He told them all, He told them all, He told them all, "Through many tribulations, you must "Through many tribulations, you must "Through many tribulations, you must enter the kingdom of God." enter the kingdom of God." enter the kingdom of God." That's the first and only thing Luke That's the first and only thing Luke That's the first and only thing Luke mentions that you should say to a new mentions that you should say to a new mentions that you should say to a new believer. believer. believer. So, anybody discipling a new believer, So, anybody discipling a new believer, So, anybody discipling a new believer, make sure one of the first things you make sure one of the first things you make sure one of the first things you say is through many tribulations, say is through many tribulations, say is through many tribulations, through Egypt, you get to the promised through Egypt, you get to the promised through Egypt, you get to the promised land. No detours. No detours. 400 years if you're a people, 60 or 80 400 years if you're a people, 60 or 80 400 years if you're a people, 60 or 80 if you're a human being. Not surprising to me, Not surprising to me, it's all over the Bible. it's all over the Bible. it's all over the Bible. So, here's the question in this series So, here's the question in this series So, here's the question in this series of sermons. We could do so much with of sermons. We could do so much with of sermons. We could do so much with this story. I have one question I'm this story. I have one question I'm this story. I have one question I'm asking all these spectacular sins. The people Now, this is Abraham. This The people Now, this is Abraham. This isn't Isaac. This isn't Jacob. This isn't Isaac. This isn't Jacob. This isn't Isaac. This isn't Jacob. This isn't Joseph. This is Abraham being isn't Joseph. This is Abraham being isn't Joseph. This is Abraham being told, "Your descendants are going to told, "Your descendants are going to told, "Your descendants are going to spend 400 years of affliction in Egypt."

spend 400 years of affliction in Egypt." spend 400 years of affliction in Egypt." How does it come about? How does it come about? How does it come about? That's what I'm asking. How does it come about? How does it come about? And the answer is, And the answer is, And the answer is, it comes about through a spectacular it comes about through a spectacular it comes about through a spectacular sin. A sin A sin that sets up things that sets up things that sets up things so that the chosen people are rescued so that the chosen people are rescued so that the chosen people are rescued from starvation and the tribe of Judah from starvation and the tribe of Judah from starvation and the tribe of Judah is prevented from being extinguished so is prevented from being extinguished so is prevented from being extinguished so that the lion of Judah would come. Huge things are at stake Huge things are at stake in the story of Joseph. It's not a in the story of Joseph. It's not a in the story of Joseph. It's not a little It's not a little lesson only for little It's not a little lesson only for little It's not a little lesson only for how to cope with hard providences. It is how to cope with hard providences. It is how to cope with hard providences. It is that.

that. that. It's wonderfully that. It's wonderfully that. It's wonderfully that. But, oh, so much more. But, oh, so much more. But, oh, so much more. So, let's go back to Abram. Bring it up to to Joseph. Abram has a Bring it up to to Joseph. Abram has a son named son named son named Isaac. Isaac has a son named Jacob. Isaac. Isaac has a son named Jacob. Isaac. Isaac has a son named Jacob. Jacob has 12 sons who become the 12 Jacob has 12 sons who become the 12 Jacob has 12 sons who become the 12 patriarchs or the heads of the 12 tribes patriarchs or the heads of the 12 tribes patriarchs or the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. Joseph is one of those. Joseph is one of those. And he has two dreams. And he has two dreams. And he has two dreams. Both of the dreams picture his 11 Both of the dreams picture his 11 Both of the dreams picture his 11 brothers bowing down to him. brothers bowing down to him. brothers bowing down to him. Symbolically, stars and sheaves. In one Symbolically, stars and sheaves. In one Symbolically, stars and sheaves. In one of them, his mother and father are of them, his mother and father are of them, his mother and father are bowing down to him. bowing down to him. bowing down to him. In chapter 37, verse 8 says, his In chapter 37, verse 8 says, his In chapter 37, verse 8 says, his brothers hated him for these dreams. brothers hated him for these dreams. brothers hated him for these dreams. And verse 11 says, they were jealous of And verse 11 says, they were jealous of And verse 11 says, they were jealous of him. Hatred and jealousy often go him. Hatred and jealousy often go him. Hatred and jealousy often go together.

And then the day came for them to vent And then the day came for them to vent their rage on this their rage on this their rage on this brother. His dad sends him out to see brother. His dad sends him out to see brother. His dad sends him out to see how they're doing in their shepherding. how they're doing in their shepherding. how they're doing in their shepherding. And they see him coming. And they see him coming. And they see him coming. And they say in verse 19 of Genesis 37, And they say in verse 19 of Genesis 37, And they say in verse 19 of Genesis 37, "Here comes this dreamer. "Here comes this dreamer. "Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him Come now, let us kill him and throw him Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. And then we will into one of the pits. And then we will into one of the pits. And then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured say that a fierce animal has devoured say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what becomes of his him, and we will see what becomes of his him, and we will see what becomes of his dreams." Reuben, the oldest son, who's going to Reuben, the oldest son, who's going to have to give an account for the boy, have to give an account for the boy, have to give an account for the boy, tries to save his life tries to save his life tries to save his life and he partially succeeds. and he partially succeeds. and he partially succeeds. When they come back, when he comes back When they come back, when he comes back When they come back, when he comes back having thrown him in a pit he finds no having thrown him in a pit he finds no having thrown him in a pit he finds no one in the pit. They've sold him into one in the pit. They've sold him into one in the pit. They've sold him into slavery to the Ishmaelites, the slavery to the Ishmaelites, the slavery to the Ishmaelites, the Midianites Midianites Midianites and he's on his way to Egypt for the and he's on his way to Egypt for the and he's on his way to Egypt for the next next next 22 years before they ever see him again.

Reuben Reuben is at his wits' end. is at his wits' end. is at his wits' end. The brothers soak his coat in animal The brothers soak his coat in animal The brothers soak his coat in animal blood, take it to his blood, take it to his blood, take it to his dad and tell him dad and tell him dad and tell him this is what we found. this is what we found. this is what we found. And his father concludes he's been eaten And his father concludes he's been eaten And his father concludes he's been eaten by an animal. These brothers have no idea These brothers have no idea what is going on here. what is going on here. what is going on here. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> They don't have a clue what they are >> They don't have a clue what they are >> They don't have a clue what they are doing. They think They think they are about to destroy the dreams. they are about to destroy the dreams. they are about to destroy the dreams. And in fact they are fulfilling the And in fact they are fulfilling the And in fact they are fulfilling the dreams. dreams. dreams. This is a great story. This is a great story. This is a great story. You got to feel the wonder of this You got to feel the wonder of this You got to feel the wonder of this story. God does this so often. This is not an God does this so often. This is not an exceptional story. This is a typical exceptional story. This is a typical exceptional story. This is a typical biblical story.

biblical story. biblical story. This is the way it happens over and over This is the way it happens over and over This is the way it happens over and over again. God takes the very sins of the again. God takes the very sins of the again. God takes the very sins of the destroyers destroyers destroyers and makes them the means of their and makes them the means of their and makes them the means of their salvation. salvation. salvation. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. The way God turns things on their head. The way God turns things on their head. The way God turns things on their head. Over and over again. Job, Esther, Over and over again. Job, Esther, Over and over again. Job, Esther, Joseph, Jesus. Joseph, Jesus. Joseph, Jesus. It's all over the Bible. He does it this It's all over the Bible. He does it this It's all over the Bible. He does it this way. Joseph is in Egypt. He's sold to Joseph is in Egypt. He's sold to Potiphar. Potiphar is um Potiphar. Potiphar is um Potiphar. Potiphar is um big big big guy in Pharaoh's court, the commander of guy in Pharaoh's court, the commander of guy in Pharaoh's court, the commander of the guard, and Joseph also doesn't have the guard, and Joseph also doesn't have the guard, and Joseph also doesn't have a clue what is going on. a clue what is going on. a clue what is going on. I have been I have been I have been sold into slavery, and I'm in a foreign sold into slavery, and I'm in a foreign sold into slavery, and I'm in a foreign country, country, country, and I know God, and I don't understand a and I know God, and I don't understand a and I know God, and I don't understand a thing that's happening to me.

And so, And so, he is so he is so he is so wonderfully exemplary, he just begins to wonderfully exemplary, he just begins to wonderfully exemplary, he just begins to serve Potiphar faithfully. What would serve Potiphar faithfully. What would serve Potiphar faithfully. What would you do? you do? you do? What would you do? Sit down and grumble What would you do? Sit down and grumble What would you do? Sit down and grumble and grumble and grumble against God? and grumble and grumble against God? and grumble and grumble against God? That's not what Joseph did. He just That's not what Joseph did. He just That's not what Joseph did. He just said, "Here I am. I will be a faithful said, "Here I am. I will be a faithful said, "Here I am. I will be a faithful follower of my God, and I will serve follower of my God, and I will serve follower of my God, and I will serve Potiphar as [music] Potiphar as [music] Potiphar as [music] well as I can." And he rises in well as I can." And he rises in well as I can." And he rises in Potiphar's trust. Potiphar's trust. Potiphar's trust. >> Thank you for listening to this episode >> Thank you for listening to this episode >> Thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth, of Light and Truth, of Light and Truth, where we are committed to providing where we are committed to providing where we are committed to providing God-centered preaching to help you see God-centered preaching to help you see God-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. Christ clearly and treasure him truly. Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper continues our 13-part [music] series, continues our 13-part [music] series, continues our 13-part [music] series, The God Who Orders Evil, with a message The God Who Orders Evil, with a message The God Who Orders Evil, with a message titled The Righteous One Who Saves. I titled The Righteous One Who Saves. I titled The Righteous One Who Saves. I hope you'll join us. hope you'll join us. hope you'll join us. For more resources, visit For more resources, visit For more resources, visit desiringgod.org.