HEROES OF FAITH: Faith When Wronged (Joseph Part I) - Michael Coltman

Hey everyone, it's Brandon and Zoë from King's Church Darlington. Today we will be talking about The Tower of Babel. Hope you enjoy it! We'd love to hear from you so email us at [email protected]

Exodus 12.31-39 and 14.5-22. After Moses has confronted hard-hearted Pharaoh again and again, telling him to let God's people go, it's finally time to leave Egypt. But the test of faith is not over; the imposing natural obstacle of the Red Sea is just up ahead and Pharaoh's army is fast approaching from behind. And two million people are grumbling about you. How do you lead with faith when under pressure like that? 13 September 2026.

Exodus 4.1-17. Moses outlines to God five reasons why he is such a poor candidate to lead his people out of slavery into the Promised Land. Exodus 4 outlines the last three. Moses feels insecure (but what if..?) He feels inarticulate (but Lord, I am slow of speech). And he feels inadequate (yes, but please send someone else). But if God calls, God equips. 6 September 2026.

Exodus 3.1-15. Moses' encounter with the mysterious and holy presence of God at the burning bush shows how God sovereignly takes the initiative but is prepared to wait patiently until someone is ready at last to be a leader. 30 August 2026.

Genesis 45.1-8. At last, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. They are stunned. It’s one of the most emotional moments in the Bible and has so much to teach us about the providence of God. ‘You meant to harm me, but God meant it for good’ beautifully encapsulates the truth that our sin is our fault but that God’s overall plan always prevails. 23 August 2026.

Genesis 42.1 - 44.34. Pharaoh’s dreams become reality. With famine spreading throughout the Middle East, Joseph's ten older brothers make the journey to Egypt where they hear there is grain for sale. There, they bow before the impressive Governor, but unsurprisingly fail to recognise him as their annoying little brother. They will need to soften their hearts to truly repent, but Joseph will need to soften his to fully forgive. How do we soften our hearts to align them with God’s will? 16 August 2026.

Genesis 41.1-43. Having successfully interpreted the dreams of two fellow inmates, despite promises to help him, Joseph is forgotten and left to rot in prison. But one day, Pharaoh too has two troubling dreams and they summon Joseph to tell his majesty what it all means. A moment of grace can dramatically change the course of your life in a single day. 9 August 2026.

Genesis 39.1-23. Despite being abused and sold by his jealous brothers into slavery, Joseph finds himself quickly elevated as the trusted manager of his new master's entire estate. But just as things are finally looking up, Joseph starts to be harassed with unwanted sexual advances and falls victim to false allegations before getting thrown in jail without trial. And yet four times in Genesis 39 it says, 'God was with Joseph'. How can someone so grievously wronged emerge as a giant of faith? 2 August 2026.

Genesis 37.1-36. The story of Joseph takes up about a quarter of the Book of Genesis and is one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible. Precocious dreamer Joseph is wronged time and time again, starting with when his jealous brothers sell him to human traffickers and fake his death. What do his experiences of unfair treatment teach us about our own faith journey? 26 July 2026.

Job 19.1-29. The main bulk of the Book of Job is an exchange between Job and three ‘friends.’ They philosophise and pile guilt on Job but never once pray with him. Job replies at every point affirming his innocence and turning to God in pain and bewilderment. It’s bleak reading. But in chapter 19 there’s an unexpected shaft of light where Job catches a glimpse of resurrection hope. 19 July 2026.