June 26, 2018 - - Genesis 50:19-20 Divine Concurrence

But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God mean it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
Genesis 50:19-20 ESV

The doctrine of divine concurrence is well displayed here. One of the seeming paradoxes of our faith is the interaction between the Sovereignty of God and the free will of man. God knows all things and all possible outcomes. Yet, people are free to act and will and do.

R. C. Sproul explains it this way. In Pittsburgh two rivers meet: the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. Where they converge it is called the Ohio River. Sproul notes each river has its own source, its own water and course. Yet the two merge and form one river. So it is with God's Sovereignty and man's free will. On the one side God acts and wills and accomplishes His purposes and on the other there is the stream of man's will and activities.

The story of Joseph illustrates this very well. Joseph's brothers had sold him into slavery. That took place as much as twenty years before this reading before us this morning. He was the favourite son of a doting father and 10 of the 11 brothers hated him for the favoritism he received.

While in slavery in Egypt, he was falsely accused. He was imprisoned. He seemed to have been forgotten in prison. But whatever the circumstances he faced he served God and gained a good reputation. When Pharaoh had a set of dreams he could not interpret, his cupbearer, who had been in prison with Joseph, remembered that Joseph had correctly interpreted his dream. He brought this to the attention of Pharaoh. Joseph, by God's grace, told Pharaoh his dreams were God's way of telling him there would be famine in the land for 7 years.

Joseph was appointed to collect the harvest in years of plenty against the 7 years of famine. So he was raised to second in the land and was able to care for his family when they fled to Egypt.

So we have a glimpse of divine concurrence. What the brothers, intended for evil (getting rid of Joseph who was so heavily favoured by their father) God intended for good--bringing Joseph to Egypt, training him through various hardships so that he was suited to gather in the abundant harvests and build storehouses, administer all that was necessary against the famine and then while govern the land in the times of turmoil.

God of Glory and Perfect Purpose, thank You that You govern our lives in Christ so that for those who love You all things work together for the good of those who believe in You. Spirit of God, move in us so that our love for God is daily increased and thereby our desire to walk in holy obedience expands. Give us the eyes of faith to see how God is working out His good purposes in us and through us and in all circumstances. And where we cannot see this, to hold on in faith, knowing the justice of God meted out at the cross of Christ will result in all things being settled on the Day of Judgment according to Your great love, justice and mercy. Amen.