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The Story in Review- Chapter Three
Chapter 3 contains 3 core realities of the faith.
1. The central theme throughout the Scripture that God is faithful to His promises is highlighted in the chapter.
2. As is a central theme of Lutheranism; God works through means.
3. Finally, a core value of Christian living is highlighted in this chapter of The Story, the truth that for the Christian, God alone gets the glory.
The Lord had promised on oath to Abraham a family, a nation, a blessing for all through his own body. Abraham’s great grand kids were at each other's throats. Jealousy had tainted the unity of Jacob’s family. A crime, a cover-up, a crushing despair, a climate crisis and it appears as is the future Abraham had been promised might come crashing down. Yet, God is faithful. He will accomplish what He has promised.
The Lord could have prevented the drought and famine by His mighty power. The Lord could have made Joseph ruler of the land by divine proclamation. Yet, the Lord worked through the plot of Joseph’s brothers, the lies of Joseph’s owners, the need of Egypt’s king and the cycles of nature to bring about His protection and provision.The child of God, Joseph in this case, responding to both of the above looks beyond his own circumstances and crosses and see the God who works through means to keep His promises and gives Him all the glory. “What you intended for evil, God worked for good.” Joseph says to His brothers and Abraham’s family is again one at harmony.