The Opportunity of Rejection

Mark Estepp - 5/28/2023

Genesis 37:23-27

So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.

26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” His brothers agreed.

The Opportunity of Rejection

Identity

You are not defined by the moments of rejection.

You are defined by the message of redemption.

Integrity

You don’t fully know what you’re made of until you face rejection.

Preparation 

God can use the rejection of one season to get you ready for the next.

Genesis 50:20

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Purpose 

Rejected does not mean that you are ejected from God’s plan.

Rejected does not mean that you have to live dejected.  

Rejoice in the face of rejection.