Here is the final section of the book of Genesis. God is continuing to relay the story of Israel's trek to Egypt. The bible is divided in ½ at Genesis 12. All the comes before explains the Need of a savior and all the comes after it shows forth God's plan of salvation. We see the full story starting right at Genesis 1 and continuing all through history as recorded in Scripture. God had a plan of redemption and he began a line of hope through the seed of the woman. It continues through Abel and Seth and Noah to Abraham.

God has revealed his intention for Israel to go down to Egypt (Genesis 15:13) for 400 years. Over all we will see God providence in God's people in God's place under God's rule in spite of the sin of men who God works through. We see that this is the account of Jacob and his generations -- particularly Joseph. We can see God at work in sever ways.

We scan see how God is working by noticing that God chooses Joesph to succeed his father as patriarch. You will notice that the Generations or book of Jacob begins and ends with a Joseph -- Joseph, Jacob son, and Joseph Jesus' father. Joseph has been also put in charge of his brothers indicating God's favor is upon him.

We can also see how God is working in that Joseph has become his father's favorite. This causes the tension in the family that will eventually cause Joseph to be sold into slavery in Egypt. All of the events and circumstances are ordained by God for a end that is good. God was working in Joseph's live to tear him away from worldly desires so that he would be the leader to save his own family.

We can also see how God is working is God's revelation to Joseph in dreams. This causes further divisions because they foreshadow where Joseph will be (Egypt) and the authority Joseph will have (as leader of Egypt). It is typical of men to question God's revelation, especially of God's election such as in this case -- God choice of Joseph. The events in Joseph life are not by chance by by divine design. They are the product of the will of God

We can also see how God is working in Joseph character. Joseph is obedient to his father to go and find his brothers even though they hate him. We see Joseph's persistence when he cannot find them and a man (by God providence) shows up and let Joseph know that they are in Dothan. We can see here both God's sovereignty and human responsibility in the life of Joseph. God's choice does not lead him to passivity and inactivity. No. He works to obey his Father in order to be a faithful son. Knowing that his father has chosen him doesn't lead him to be lazy and exert no effort, but to put forth exceeding good effort. This is how the security of knowing that God has chosen any of us should affect our lives. We must balance our beliefs in that Both human responsibility (and voluntary choice), the justice of God, and the sovereignty of God are all true and must be held in tension. These truth should make us work hard for our heavenly father because we are grateful for all that he has done and is doing for us.