A Stranger in the Field: Finding Hope When Darkness Seems to Win

1. Introduction & Overview

This Bible study guide explores the profound sermon "A Stranger in the Field," which examines how Christians can respond when evil and darkness appear to triumph in our world. Through the life of Joseph, the sermon demonstrates that while darkness may win battles, God ultimately wins the war.

Sermon Summary: Using Joseph's life story as a framework, Pastor Benny explores how we should respond to tragic events and unjust suffering. The sermon was delivered in the wake of a political assassination, addressing how believers can process evil while maintaining faith in God's sovereignty. Through examining five "wounds of suffering" in Joseph's life, we see how God works providentially even through dark circumstances.

Study Objectives:

• Understand biblical perspectives on suffering, especially unjust suffering
• Explore God's providence in the midst of apparent evil
• Develop a theological framework for processing tragedy and darkness
• Learn how to name evil as evil while still trusting God's sovereign plan
• Apply Joseph's story to contemporary experiences of suffering and injustice

Recommended Study Time: 2-3 hours for personal study; additional time for group discussion

2. Exegetical Analysis

Structure and Genre

The sermon uses a biographical narrative approach, tracing Joseph's life through Genesis 37-50. Rather than focusing on a single passage, it follows the narrative arc of Joseph's story to reveal theological truths about suffering and God's providence.

Key Passage Analysis

Genesis 37:15-17 - The "stranger in the field" passage forms the theological center of the message: "A man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, 'What are you seeking?' 'I am seeking my brothers,' he said. 'Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.' And the man said, 'They have gone away, for I heard them say, "Let us go to Dothan."' So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan."

This seemingly incidental encounter actually represents divine providence directing Joseph toward his suffering and ultimate purpose. The stranger is not random but providential—directing Joseph toward a path of suffering that would ultimately lead to salvation for many.

Genesis 50:20 serves as the interpretive key for the entire narrative: "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."

Author's Intent

The original author of Genesis presents Joseph's story as a demonstration of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises through unlikely means. Joseph's suffering becomes the vehicle through which God preserves the covenant family. The narrative shows how God works through human evil to accomplish divine purposes.

3. Historical & Cultural Context

Setting of Joseph's Story

Joseph's story unfolds during the patriarchal period (approximately 1900-1700 BC), when Abraham's descendants were still a family rather than a nation. Egypt was a dominant world power with advanced civilization, while Canaan was organized around tribal and family structures.

The practice of selling people into slavery was common in the ancient Near East. The price of 20 shekels of silver paid for Joseph (Genesis 37:28) was the typical price for a male slave during this period, showing the historical accuracy of the account.

Egyptian Context

Joseph's rise to power in Egypt reflects actual Egyptian administrative practices. During times of famine, Egyptian officials were responsible for food distribution and storage. The position of "second-in-command" that Joseph eventually attained (Genesis 41:40-44) aligns with Egyptian court structures where the Pharaoh would delegate significant authority to trusted officials.

Understanding Suffering in Ancient Context

In the ancient world, suffering was often interpreted as divine punishment. Joseph's story challenges this simplistic view by showing that suffering can be part of God's redemptive plan. The original audience would have found this perspective revolutionary—that God could work through injustice rather than simply punishing evildoers immediately.

4. Word Studies

"Evil" (רָעָה, ra'ah): In Genesis 50:20, Joseph states "you meant evil against me." The Hebrew term encompasses both moral evil and calamity/disaster. It doesn't merely mean "bad" but carries the weight of destructive intention and harmful consequences. Joseph doesn't minimize his brothers' actions by calling them mistakes or missteps—he names them as genuinely evil while simultaneously acknowledging God's ability to work through them.

"Meant" (חָשַׁב, chashav): This Hebrew word in Genesis 50:20 appears twice: "you meant evil" and "God meant it for good." It conveys the idea of planning, devising, or calculating. The same action is viewed from two perspectives: human intention (evil) and divine purpose (good). This demonstrates the complex interplay between human responsibility and divine sovereignty.

"Wandering" (תָּעָה, ta'ah): In Genesis 37:15, Joseph is described as "wandering in the fields." This Hebrew term suggests being lost or straying without direction. The word appears elsewhere to describe sheep without a shepherd (Ezekiel 34:6) and people who stray from God's path (Isaiah 53:6). This seemingly incidental detail actually reveals Joseph's vulnerability and God's providential guidance through the "stranger."

"Presence" (אֵת, et): The repeated phrase "the LORD was with Joseph" (Genesis 39:2, 21) uses this Hebrew preposition to indicate accompaniment. God's presence doesn't prevent suffering but sustains through it. This presence manifests not in miraculous deliverance but in giving Joseph success even in adverse circumstances.

"Providence" (not a direct biblical term but a theological concept): While not a specific Hebrew word, the concept derives from the Latin "providentia" (foreseeing, providing). Joseph's story illustrates this through God's orchestration of events to preserve life (Genesis 45:5-8), showing that divine providence works through, not despite, human choices and circumstances.

5. Cross-References & Biblical Theology

Genesis 45:5-8 - "And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life." This passage reveals Joseph's theological understanding that God was working through his suffering for a greater purpose.

Psalm 94:3-7 - "O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?... They crush your people, O LORD, and afflict your heritage." This psalm expresses the same anguish over apparent evil that many feel today, showing that biblical faith doesn't deny the reality of injustice.

Romans 8:28 - "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Paul articulates the same theological principle seen in Joseph's story—God's ability to work all things (even evil) for good.

Hebrews 11:22 - "By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones." This reveals Joseph's enduring faith in God's promises even at the end of his life.

Acts 7:9-10 - "And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions." Stephen's sermon confirms the theological interpretation that God's presence accompanied Joseph through his suffering.

Isaiah 53:3-5 - "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief..." Christ's suffering provides the ultimate pattern for understanding how God works through suffering for redemptive purposes.

Job 1:20-22 - "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." Job's response to suffering parallels Joseph's ultimate perspective—recognizing God's sovereignty even in loss.

1 Peter 2:19-23 - "For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly." Peter's teaching on unjust suffering aligns with Joseph's experience, showing it can be part of God's will.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 - "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." Paul's perspective on suffering as temporary compared to eternal glory helps frame Joseph's story in broader context.

Revelation 21:4 - "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore..." The ultimate resolution to suffering comes not in this life but in God's final redemption.

6. Interpretive Considerations

The Identity of the "Stranger in the Field"

The sermon presents the stranger who redirected Joseph as a providential figure, possibly even a divine messenger. While the text doesn't explicitly identify him as an angel or divine agent, the sermon's interpretation highlights how this seemingly random encounter was actually pivotal in God's plan. Some interpretations might view this simply as a coincidental human encounter, but the sermon's view aligns with how Scripture often portrays God's hidden hand working through ordinary circumstances.

Different Views on God's Role in Suffering

The sermon navigates between several theological positions:

1. Strong Sovereignty View: God actively orchestrates suffering for His purposes (supported by Genesis 45:5-8, 50:20)
2. Permissive Will View: God allows suffering but doesn't cause it
3. Limited Knowledge View: God doesn't know the future and responds to evil as it happens

The sermon leans toward the first view while acknowledging the reality of human responsibility. This interpretation works because it:

• Maintains both divine sovereignty and human responsibility
• Explains how God can work through evil without being its author
• Provides comfort by assuring us nothing is outside God's control
• Aligns with Joseph's own theological interpretation of his suffering

The Proper Response to Evil

The sermon carefully distinguishes between enduring unavoidable suffering and resisting preventable evil. This nuanced approach prevents misapplying Joseph's story to situations where Christians should actively oppose injustice. By citing examples like Daniel, Esther, and Jesus cleansing the temple, the sermon establishes that trusting God's sovereignty doesn't mean passive acceptance of all evil.

7. Theological Implications

Providence and Sovereignty

Joseph's story profoundly illustrates God's providence—His ability to work through human actions (even evil ones) to accomplish His purposes. This doctrine doesn't eliminate human responsibility or the reality of evil, but it assures us that God's purposes cannot be thwarted. Joseph's statement that "God sent me" (Genesis 45:7) alongside "you meant evil" (Genesis 50:20) demonstrates the complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

The Problem of Evil

Joseph's story doesn't provide a philosophical solution to why God allows evil, but it does offer a perspective on how God works through it. The sermon acknowledges the reality of darkness and evil rather than minimizing it, while simultaneously affirming God's ultimate control. This approach honors both the emotional reality of suffering and the theological truth of God's sovereignty.

God's Character

The sermon reveals several aspects of God's character:

• His faithfulness to His covenant promises (preserving Jacob's family)
• His presence with His people even in suffering ("the LORD was with Joseph")
• His redemptive purposes that transform evil into good
• His patience in working out His plans over generations

Eschatological Hope

The sermon connects Joseph's hope for his bones to be carried to the Promised Land (Genesis 50:25) with our ultimate hope in God's promises. This introduces an eschatological dimension—sometimes God's purposes aren't fully realized in our lifetime, but we can still die in faith (Hebrews 11:13). This provides a framework for understanding tragedies that don't have neat resolutions in this life.

8. Practical Application

Naming Evil Without Losing Hope

The sermon encourages believers to call evil what it is without equivocation. When we witness injustice, violence, or corruption, we should name it clearly rather than minimizing it. However, we simultaneously maintain hope in God's sovereign ability to work through even the darkest circumstances. This balance prevents both naive optimism and cynical despair.

Application: When witnessing or experiencing injustice, practice both lament (honestly acknowledging the pain) and trust (affirming God's ultimate control). Journal about situations where you've struggled to maintain this balance.

Responding to Personal Suffering

Joseph's story offers a framework for processing our own suffering:

1. Acknowledge the reality of pain and injustice
2. Remember God's presence even when circumstances suggest His absence
3. Resist the temptation to minimize evil or pretend it doesn't hurt
4. Look for ways God might be working through your circumstances
5. Maintain hope in God's promises even when fulfillment seems distant

Application: Identify an area of suffering in your life. Write a prayer that both honestly expresses your pain and affirms your trust in God's presence and purposes.

Standing Against Evil While Trusting God

The sermon clarifies that trusting God's sovereignty doesn't mean passivity toward evil. Like Daniel, Esther, and Jesus himself, we can both trust God's ultimate control and actively oppose injustice.

Application: Identify one form of injustice or evil in your community that Christians should actively resist. How can you oppose this evil while still trusting in God's sovereignty?

Offering Hope to Others

Joseph's perspective on his suffering enabled him to offer hope to his brothers and preserve his family. Similarly, our theological understanding of suffering equips us to minister to others in their pain.

Application: Think of someone experiencing suffering. How could you share the hope of God's providence with them without minimizing their pain?

9. Discussion Questions

1. Observational: What are the five "wounds of suffering" identified in Joseph's story? Which one resonates most with your own experience?

2. Observational: How many times does Genesis mention that "the LORD was with Joseph"? What does this repetition suggest about God's relationship to our suffering?

3. Interpretive: What is the significance of the "stranger in the field" in Joseph's story? How might Joseph's life have been different without this encounter?

4. Interpretive: How does Joseph's statement in Genesis 50:20 help us understand the relationship between human evil and divine purpose? Does this mean God causes evil?

5. Theological: How do we reconcile God's goodness with His sovereignty over evil events? Does Joseph's story help resolve this tension or deepen it?

6. Theological: The sermon states "darkness sometimes wins the battle, but God wins the war." What biblical evidence supports this claim? What might "winning the war" look like in situations where justice seems absent?

7. Applicational: How should Christians respond when they witness evil in society? What's the difference between enduring unavoidable suffering and resisting preventable evil?

8. Applicational: How has your understanding of God's providence helped you process difficult or tragic events in your own life or in the world?

9. Investigative: Research other biblical figures who experienced unjust suffering (Job, Jeremiah, Jesus). What patterns do you see in how they responded?

10. Investigative: The sermon mentions that Joseph's bones were eventually carried to the Promised Land (Hebrews 11:22). Read Exodus 13:19 and Joshua 24:32. What does this fulfillment teach us about God's faithfulness to His promises?

11. Personal: What "stranger in the field" moments have you experienced—seemingly random encounters that later proved significant in God's plan?

12. Personal: Which of the five wounds of suffering have you experienced most deeply? How has God's presence sustained you through that experience?

10. Recommended Resources

Commentaries

1. "Genesis: A Commentary" by Bruce K. Waltke and Cathi J. Fredricks (Intermediate) - Excellent exegetical work on Joseph's narrative with theological insights.

2. "The Message of Genesis 12-50" by Joyce Baldwin (Beginner/Intermediate) - Accessible commentary focusing on the theological message of the patriarchal narratives.

3. "Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis" by Allen P. Ross (Advanced) - Detailed exposition with attention to literary structure and theological themes.

Books on Suffering and Providence

4. "Walking with God through Pain and Suffering" by Timothy Keller (Beginner/Intermediate) - Pastoral and theological approach to suffering that addresses both intellectual and emotional challenges.

5. "Suffering and the Sovereignty of God" edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor (Intermediate) - Collection of essays exploring the relationship between God's control and human suffering.

6. "The Providence of God" by Paul Helm (Advanced) - Theological exploration of divine providence and its implications for understanding evil and suffering.

Online Resources

7. "Desiring God: Resources on Suffering" (Various levels) - https://www.desiringgod.org/topics/suffering - Collection of articles, sermons, and podcasts addressing biblical perspectives on suffering.

8. "The Bible Project: The Book of Genesis" (Beginner) - https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/genesis-1-11/ - Visual overview of Genesis including Joseph's story and its place in the biblical narrative.

May this study guide deepen your understanding of how God works even through the darkest circumstances, and may Joseph's story strengthen your faith when darkness seems to win.