The Gospel for the City in Gen 39:1-41:57

by John Davis

Joseph in Egypt (39:1-41:57)

These chapters highlight the presence of God and His providence in the life of Joseph. Despite the injustice and betrayal of his brothers, Joseph experiences fresh grace which takes him through the trials of captivity and brings blessing to him and others in the midst of his troubles.

The Lord gives grace to Joseph to flee the seductions of Potiphar’s wife; the Lord protects him while unjustly imprisoned, and eventually exalts him to the second highest position in Egypt.

While the covenant family remains in the land of promise, they suffer internal atrocities as with Onan, Tamar, and Judah. On the other hand, Joseph, though in exile from the land, brings blessing to the nations. The Lord uses him to preserve Egypt from the devastation of famine and ultimately to preserve God’s people from the devastation of famine.

The name of the LORD is advanced and honored among the nations, as Joseph experiences the presence of the Lord in his hardship and remains faithful to his God.

What Joseph experienced in his hardship through the presence of the Lord, anticipated the future gift of the Spirit through whom the promise of Jesus to His disciples is fulfilled, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Unlike Joseph, who was banished to Egypt against His will, many believers choose to live in the urban centers of the world, believing that the Lord who preserved, protected, and prospered Joseph in Egypt will do the same for them. As Egypt was an unlikely place to play a significant role in the history of redemption, so urban centers may also appear to be unlikely places for the advance of the gospel.

Yet, God’s grace defies human expectations. Suburban church planting often depends upon the availability of open space, plentiful resources, economic stability, homogeneous populations, etc to insure successful church plants. The demographics of urban church planting present a scenario, much like Joseph’s experience in Egypt, which calls for an amazing display of God’s grace which alone overturns all human expectation.

John Davis

On September 10, 1970 I came to understand the great love of God for me, a sinner and a rebel. That evening I received God’s forgiveness and a new life through Jesus Christ, who died in my place and rose again to offer forgiveness and new life. I have been senior pastor for over 30 years planting two churches in Buckingham, PA and Queens, NY and serving two other churches in Brooklyn, NY and Roslyn, PA. I am currently the lead pastor at Grace Church of Philly.