The Long Game

Passages

Genesis 50:15-26

Sermon Summary

Joseph's story helps us untangle the challenge of forgiveness, the mystery of the Gospel and the problem of evil. Specifically, Joseph makes three "moves": 1) He refuses to sit in the judgment seat of God, 2) He extends his horizon for God's redemption, and 3) He channels God's costly kindness to others. This same pattern illuminates the Gospel: Our core problem is putting ourselves in the place of God—so Jesus puts himself in our place, extending the horizon of God's redemption and channeling the costly kindness of God to us. Likewise with the problem of evil: We are reminded of the folly of putting ourselves in God's place, of God's ability to redeem beyond our lifetimes, and of God's deep longing to restore us to flourishing.

Discussion Questions (choose any—you don't have to answer them all!)

1. [Optional starter question] What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. What makes it hard for you personally to forgive?
3. Which of Joseph's three "moves" do you need to practice most?
4. Do you struggle to believe that God forgives you? How might this actually be putting yourself in his place?
5. How do Joseph's "moves" help you reframe the problem of evil?
6. Describe a situation in your life, or someone else's, where God's redemption took a LONG time to see.
7. Name one practical step you can take toward forgiving—or even reconciling with—someone who hurt you.
8. What "box of bones" are you carrying through life, trusting God to redeem?

Resources Consulted

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• The Message of Genesis, Joyce Baldwin
• Genesis for Everyone, John Goldingay
• Tyndale Commentary on Genesis, Derek Kidner
• Living in Light of Inextinguishable Hope, Ian Duguid and Matthew Harmon
• Reading Genesis, Marilynne Robinson
• The Five Books of Moses, Robert Alter
• How to Read Genesis, Tremper Longman II
• NIV Application Commentary on Genesis, John Walton
• Zondervan Genesis Commentary, Bruce Waltke

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