Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. 2 Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physicians
embalmed him, 3 taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.

Genesis 50:1-21

15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.

18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Genesis 50:15-21

Lessons about our future we learn from Joseph

1. Understand Christian hope is not a wish.

Greek Word is Elpis =confident expectation

2. Most of the time, the future doesn’t feel like future

• Genesis 50 :20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good”
• Joseph “God did this so I could save the lives of many people.” He served so that others could be saved

3. You are destined to use your pain for God’s purpose. (That’s Your future )

Take Home

When you use your pain for God’s purpose, a hurting world takes note.

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Timothy 2:3

• Where are you serving Jesus? (a place you get nothing back you just serve!)
• There is purpose in your pain (like Joseph I serve so others can be saved)