Joseph is faced with a choice between revenge and redemption. His brothers travel to Egypt seeking help due to the regional famine. Through a series of tests, Joseph learns that his brothers are truly repentant for what they have done, and they have changed into new men, willing to give their lives to save their youngest brother, Benjamin. Joseph’s response to them shows us that change is possible for even the worst kind of people and that revenge can never taste as sweet as redemption.

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Joseph has had everything stripped from him. His status, dignity, and freedom. But there is one treasure no one can take from him, the presence of God. We learn this week that God gives Joseph His abiding presence, causing all that he does to succeed. Joseph’s righteousness is tested by temptation and further abuse. But God remains faithful to him even in that. We are invited to ask ourselves whether God’s abiding presence is the greatest treasure in our own lives.

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Betrayal at the hands of those closest to us is one of the most painful of human experiences. It effects our relationship with God and with ourself. Joseph is envied a hated by his brothers. They betray him, plotting to murder him, and ultimately sell him into slavery. This week we looked at how Jesus is the only one who can step into our stories of betrayal and bring restoration and healing because He willfully subjected Himself to betrayal from both humanity and His Father to bring redemption to our relationship with others, God, and self.

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This week pastor C.J. opened our series on the life of Joseph in The Old Testament. Favoritism is a generational sin that runs rampant in Joseph's family tree. It is all too common in our own families. These week we explore the implications of this sin and recognize that Jesus bears the burden of being God's favorite so that none of us have to. He also leverages His status to serve, rather than oppress us.

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