Sermon snippet – “God, Where Are You?” (or, A Theodicy Odyssey) – Part V
INTRODUCTION – Genesis 50:20 – A theodicy is a defense of the ways of God – the always good ways of God – in the face of the existence of evil. Certainly Joseph could have legitimately asked, “God, where are You?” He was saved from murder by his brothers only by being sold into slavery; he was saved from slavery only by being thrown into prison (unjustly, of course).
- LET US CONSIDER JOSEPH’S PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
Joseph experienced betrayal, slavery, and false imprisonment; it is hard to say which was worst. For about thirteen years, from the age of seventeen to about thirty, this nomadic shepherd had his freedom stolen from him, ending up in confinement within confinement (see Psalm 105:17-19). However, as we saw in Genesis 50:20, Joseph found these inexplicable years of deprivation to be reasonable. Would you give up thirteen years of relative ease to save your family and secure their future? I would, and I think that most people would. Would you do likewise for your nation? I would, in part because my family is part of that nation. For Joseph, his family and his nation were exactly the same. He knew that, through these hardships, God was doing a good work. This perspective is a portion of our “reasonable service.” ( See Romans 12:1.)
- LET US TAKE A LARGER LOOK
God keeps His promises. He made and kept promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18 – note that “seed” is singular and is fulfilled in Jesus as stated in Galatians 3:16), to Isaac (Genesis 26:1-3), to Jacob (Genesis 28:13), and to Judah (Genesis 49:10). These promises extended beyond these individuals to the nation of Israel and to all nations, demonstrating that God is good. But what about the hundreds of years of Israelite slavery in Egypt? That matters declined rapidly after Joseph’s death (Exodus 1:8) was no surprise to God (Genesis 15:13-14). I have in previous studies presented detailed Scriptural denunciations of slavery: it is sinful. The existence of such evil contrasts God, Who frees, and man, who enslaves. The exercise of the human will to sin (as with Joseph’s brothers and the new pharaoh) is not God’s fault. Moreover, God’s eternal perspective must be appreciated: He was giving others (including the Canaanites and even the Egyptians) time to repent. God is never doing merely one thing, and everything He is doing is good.
- LET US MODEL OURSELVES AFTER JOSEPH
Genesis 50:20 is a statement of faith, and these are not just the words of a man who is now wealthy and powerful. No, Joseph’s faith did not decline during his thirteen years of unfathomable sorrow. A most helpful principle emerges from Joseph’s life: the ungodly do not have it easy; likewise, the godly do not have it easy, but they do have God.
CONCLUSION – Romans 8:28-30 is the New Testament equivalent of Genesis 50:20. Both teach us that we need to take the longer view – actually, the longest view. The promised Messiah came, and He keeps His promises, including the promise of eternal life through faith in Him. Jesus offers only good. In the face of the existence of evil, God remains good, eternally good.