Finding Light in Darkness: Joseph's Story of Redemption
Summary
Darkness is something we all experience, whether it’s the literal absence of light or the spiritual and emotional heaviness that can settle over our lives. We’re not made for darkness, and yet, we often find ourselves surrounded by it—sometimes even contributing to it. The story of Joseph in Genesis 37 is a powerful reminder of this reality. Joseph’s family was marked by favoritism, jealousy, pride, and betrayal. Jacob, the father, openly favored Joseph, giving him a special coat and setting him apart from his brothers. Joseph, in his youth and pride, flaunted his dreams and status, further fueling the resentment of his siblings. The brothers, consumed by hatred, allowed their bitterness to boil over into a plan to kill Joseph, only to settle for selling him into slavery.
What’s striking about Genesis 37 is that God is never mentioned in the chapter. It’s as if, in the midst of all this darkness, God is absent. But the truth is, God is never absent, even when we forget Him or fail to put Him at the center of our lives. The absence of God’s name in the story is a reflection of Jacob’s family losing sight of Him, not of God abandoning them. When we neglect to keep God at the center of our families and our lives, the darkness only deepens.
Yet, even in the darkest moments, God is at work. Joseph’s suffering and the family’s dysfunction were not the end of the story. What was meant for evil, God used for good—to save many lives and to fulfill His promises. The darkness became the backdrop for God’s redemptive plan, not just for Joseph’s family, but for the entire nation of Israel, and ultimately, for the coming of Jesus through the line of Judah.
We all contribute to the darkness through our sin, pride, and brokenness. Left unchecked, this darkness will always boil over, affecting everyone around us. But God calls us to repentance, to bring our sin into the light, and to trust that He is working even when we cannot see Him. We are called to reflect the light of Christ in a dark world, not by our own power, but by His light shining through us. Just as the moon reflects the sun, we are to reflect Jesus, the true light, so that others may see that God is not absent in the darkness.
Key Takeaways
- Darkness is not just an external reality but something we often help create through our own actions and attitudes. Like Joseph, Jacob, and his brothers, we each play a part in the brokenness around us, whether through pride, favoritism, or resentment. Recognizing our role in the darkness is the first step toward seeking God’s light and grace. [51:53]
- When God is not at the center of our lives and families, the darkness grows deeper. The absence of God’s name in Genesis 37 is a sobering warning: it’s easy to drift from worship and dependence on God, especially in times of conflict or pain. We must be intentional about keeping God central, continually reminding ourselves and our families of His goodness and presence. [46:49]
- Unchecked sin and bitterness will always boil over, no matter how much we try to contain them. Hatred, jealousy, and unresolved conflict cannot be managed or hidden—they eventually erupt and cause harm to ourselves and others. The only way to break this cycle is through honest confession, repentance, and seeking God’s forgiveness and healing. [57:22]
- God is never absent in the darkness, even when we cannot see Him or feel His presence. The story of Joseph shows that God is working behind the scenes, using even the worst circumstances for His redemptive purposes. What others intend for evil, God can and does use for good, leading us to trust Him even when the way forward is unclear. [46:11]
- As followers of Jesus, we are called to be the light in the darkness, reflecting Christ’s love and truth to the world. Like the moon reflecting the sun, we have no light of our own, but we can shine brightly when we allow Jesus to work through us. Our calling is to step out of the darkness, live in continual repentance, and invite others to experience the hope and salvation found in Christ. [01:02:48]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Baptism and Invitation
[02:10] - Vacation Bible School Prayer
[03:30] - Introduction: Darkness and Sensory Deprivation
[06:00] - God’s Presence in the Darkness
[08:00] - The Story of Jacob and Joseph
[10:30] - Joseph’s Dreams and Family Dysfunction
[13:00] - Joseph Betrayed by His Brothers
[15:00] - God’s Silence in Genesis 37
[17:00] - The Consequences of Forgetting God
[19:00] - Our Role in the Darkness
[22:00] - The Boiling Over of Sin and Hatred
[25:00] - God’s Redemptive Plan Through Darkness
[28:00] - Called to Be Light in the World
[31:00] - Invitation to Step Into the Light and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: God Is Not Absent in the Darkness
*(Based on Genesis 37 and the story of Joseph)*
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### Bible Reading
- Genesis 37:18-28 (Joseph’s brothers plot against him and sell him into slavery)
- Genesis 50:20 (“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…”)
- 1 John 1:5-9 (“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all… If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us…”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Genesis 37, what actions and attitudes do you see in Joseph, his brothers, and Jacob that contribute to the darkness in their family?
2. According to Genesis 50:20, how does Joseph interpret the evil done to him by his brothers?
3. In 1 John 1:5-9, what does John say about the relationship between light, darkness, and our fellowship with God?
4. The sermon points out that God is never mentioned in Genesis 37. What effect does this have on the story, and what might it be showing us? [[46:49]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says, “We all contribute to the darkness.” What does it mean to be an “active agent” in the darkness, and how does this show up in the story of Joseph’s family? [[50:15]]
2. Why do you think the absence of God’s name in Genesis 37 is significant? What does it reveal about the spiritual state of Jacob’s family? [[46:49]]
3. The sermon compares unchecked sin and bitterness to a pot boiling over. Why can’t we just “manage” or hide our sin and bitterness? What are the consequences if we try? [[57:22]]
4. Joseph tells his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” How does this shape our understanding of God’s work in the middle of suffering and darkness? [[46:11]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “If we do not put God at the center of our family, the darkness will only increase.” What are some practical ways you can keep God at the center of your home or relationships this week? [[46:49]]
2. Think about a time when you contributed to the “darkness” in a relationship or situation—maybe through pride, jealousy, or resentment. What would it look like to bring that into the light and seek God’s forgiveness? [[51:53]]
3. Are there any areas in your life where you are trying to “contain” or hide sin, bitterness, or hurt? What steps could you take to confess and deal with it honestly before God? [[57:22]]
4. The sermon says, “God is not absent in the darkness. We may forget about him, but he has not forgotten about us.” When have you felt like God was absent? Looking back, can you see any ways he was working behind the scenes? [[46:11]]
5. The story of Joseph shows that God can use even the worst situations for good. Is there a difficult or dark situation in your life right now where you need to trust that God is still working? What would it look like to trust him in that area? [[46:11]]
6. The sermon uses the image of the moon reflecting the sun to describe how we reflect Jesus’ light. What are some specific ways you can reflect the light of Christ to others this week—in your family, workplace, or community? [[01:02:48]]
7. The call to “step out of the darkness and into the light” is both a one-time decision and a daily practice. What is one area where you need to step into the light today? How can your group support you in this? [[01:04:05]]
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*Close in prayer, asking God to help each person walk in the light, keep him at the center, and trust his presence even in the darkest times.*
Devotional
Day 1: God Is Not Absent in the Darkness
Even when life feels overwhelmingly dark and God seems silent, He is still present and working behind the scenes for our good. In the story of Joseph, though God is not mentioned in Genesis 37, His providence is at work, guiding events toward redemption and hope. When we are surrounded by darkness—whether it’s personal pain, broken relationships, or the evil we see in the world—we can trust that God has not forgotten us. He is with us, even when we cannot see or feel Him, and He is able to bring light out of the deepest darkness. [42:54]
Genesis 37:18-24, 50:20 (ESV)
18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.
19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.
20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”
21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.”
22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father.
23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore.
24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
Genesis 50:20
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Reflection: Where in your life do you feel God is absent or silent, and how might you look for signs of His presence and work even in those dark places today?
Day 2: We Contribute to the Darkness
It’s easy to see the faults in others, but the story of Joseph’s family reminds us that we all play a part in the darkness of the world. Joseph’s pride, Jacob’s favoritism, and the brothers’ jealousy and cruelty all contributed to a cycle of pain and sin. None of us are exempt from this reality; we all have moments where our actions, words, or attitudes add to the brokenness around us. Recognizing our own role in the darkness is the first step toward repentance and seeking God’s transforming light. [55:27]
Romans 3:10-18 (ESV)
10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Reflection: What is one specific way you have contributed to darkness—through words, actions, or attitudes—and how can you confess and seek God’s forgiveness for it today?
Day 3: Darkness and Hatred Will Boil Over
Unchecked sin and hatred do not remain hidden; they eventually overflow and cause destruction in our lives and relationships. Just as the brothers’ jealousy boiled over into violence against Joseph, our own unresolved anger, bitterness, or secret sins will eventually spill out and harm us and those around us. The only way to break this cycle is through honest confession and repentance, allowing God’s light to expose and heal what is hidden. [57:22]
1 John 1:5-10 (ESV)
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Reflection: Is there a hidden resentment, anger, or sin in your life that you have tried to contain? What step can you take today to bring it into the light and begin healing?
Day 4: God Uses Darkness to Bring Salvation
God’s providence is so great that He can use even the darkest moments and the worst intentions for His redemptive purposes. Joseph’s suffering led to the salvation of many, and through the brokenness of his family, God set the stage for the coming of Jesus, the true light of the world. No matter how hopeless or painful your circumstances may seem, God is able to weave them into His greater story of salvation and hope. [01:01:06]
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Reflection: Think of a difficult or painful situation in your life—how might God be working through it to bring about something good or to draw you closer to Him?
Day 5: Shine the Light in the Darkness
As followers of Jesus, we are called to reflect His light into a dark world, just as the moon reflects the sun’s light. We are not the source of light ourselves, but when we put God at the center of our lives, His love and truth shine through us for others to see. Each day is an opportunity to push back the darkness by living out our faith, loving others, and pointing them to the hope we have in Christ. [01:02:48]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can reflect the light of Jesus to someone in your life or community today?
Quotes
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