Are you the type of person who remembers what you ought to forget and forgets what you ought to remember? Think about that provocative question for a moment. Joseph had many years to ponder his answer. After seven years of blessing and abundance, the famine was in full bloom. People from the surrounding lands came to Egypt for grain—including Joseph's brothers. Upon recognizing the men who threw him into a pit and sold him as a slave, Joseph faced a difficult decision. Should he review his mental blacklist or shred it? Should he punish or forgive? Would he be the type of person who remembers what he ought to forget and forgets what he ought to remember? Are you?
Activating a Seared Conscience
Message 6
Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 42:1–28
Favored Son, Hated Brother
Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 37
The biography of Joseph is nothing short of remarkable, occupying as much or more space in Genesis than the biographies of Adam, Noah, Abraham, or even his father, Jacob. Joseph emerges from the pages of Scripture as a man with whom most of us can identify. His story begins at age 17 and ends at age 110 (Genesis 50:26). Over his long life, Joseph responded to broken dreams and impossible circumstances with a faith that propelled him from the pit of slavery to the pinnacle of power. In this message, we'll meet Joseph on the cusp of the pit and gain insight into the dangers of being a favorite son of a passive father.
Resisting Temptation
Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 39:1–20
When it comes to temptation, our culture offers very little motivation to resist it. More often than not, we hear the voices yelling “Give in! You deserve to be happy!” Truly, yielding to temptation is much easier than resisting it. But for those who yield, the path of life is strewn with the litter of remorse and shame. Their souls grow sick, not for longing to taste forbidden fruit but because the fruit made them sick. If we wish to avoid such soul sickness, we must resist temptation. But how? Joseph provides a sterling example of one who could have cuddled lust and enjoyed its warm embrace but instead chose to resist its persistent, alluring offer in favor of righteousness. Let those of us who stand today take heed, lest we fall tomorrow.
Imprisoned and Forgotten Imprisoned and Forgotten
Pastor Chuck Swindoll • Genesis 39:19—40:23
Joseph drifted like a lost raft on the ocean—sold into slavery, forced to learn a new language and lifestyle, accused of attempted rape, and finally dumped into prison. On top of all of this, even though he lived as a model prisoner deserving early release, the one man who could have requested his pardon totally forgot him. That hurts! The pain of unjust suffering—one of the most severe trials we can experience—tests our faith like nothing else. In our world today, we can't escape it. As difficult as injustice is to endure, the greater challenge is facing it with an attitude that preserves faith. For the most part, we can't control what happens to us today or tomorrow, whether fair or foul. But we can choose our attitude.