When God Feels Absent
Scripture Focus
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
(Genesis 37:2-8)
Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. And 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.
They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 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.”
(Gen. 37:12-20)
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.
(Gen. 37:23-28)
Israel's Favoritism Toward Joseph:
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
(Gen. 37:3-4)
Joseph’s Dreams:
Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.
(Gen. 37:5-8)
Christianity is not a “moral ladder” to climb – It’s a rescue story.
God Ordained “Coincidences”:
- Israel calls Joseph to go check on brothers (v. 12-13)
- Joesph meets random man who overheard brothers talking about Dothan. (v. 15)
- Reuben stops his brothers from killing Joseph (v. 21)
- Random caravan of Ishmaelites (v. 27)
- Reuben not present to stop brothers from selling Joseph into slavery (v. 28-29)
When God Seems Silent or Absent --- He is still at work
Faith When God Feels Absent:
- Seek God’s Presence More Than His Answers
- Hold Your View of God's Plans Loosely
"And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind." (Gen. 37:11)
- God’s Redemption Is Never Late
Closing Blessing:
May you go in peace, trusting the God you cannot see.
When life feels silent, remember—He is not absent.
When your story feels broken, remember—He is not finished.
And in every place that feels too far gone—
may you believe even there… God is still redeeming.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—Amen.
This week
The Grove
The Grove is a place for adults in their 30s and 40s to connect, build friendships, and grow in Christ together. Life in this season is full of both joys and challenges — let’s walk through it together. Childcare for ages 0–11 is available. Learn more and register.
🗓️ Sunday, March 22 - 🕖 3-5pM - 📍 Coffee Shop (Building 2)
Men’s Breakfast
All men are invited! This event is a great chance to connect with other guys and enjoy a great breakfast. No need to sign up. Come as you are and bring a friend.
🗓️ Saturday, March 28 - 🕖 8-9:30AM - 📍 Fellowship Center (Main Building)
L.Y.A. Worship Night
All young adults (Graduated 18-29) are invited to join us for a time of worship, teaching, and socializing. Our goal is to cultivate a strong community focused on fostering relationships with each other and Jesus.
🗓️ Sunday, March 29 - 🕖 7PM - 📍 Room 320 (Building 2)
Join us for Holy Week!
While we worship and serve Jesus throughout the calendar year, Holy Week and Easter are special times when we focus specifically on all that Jesus experienced and endured during His trial, crucifixion, and resurrection. Learn more.
Palm Sunday - March 29th, 9 & 11AM (ALL-IN Services)
Good Friday - April 3rd, 7PM
Easter - April 5th, 8:30AM, 10AM (ASL), 11:30AM
Visit www.lighthousehome.org/whats-happening-at-lcc for the complete list of upcoming groups, classes, and events.
eNews
Visit www.lighthousehome.org/enews to sign up for LCC's weekly eNews. Get special announcements and messages from our pastors and Leadership Team, updates and emergency notices, and a first look at what’s upcoming.