The Hand of God

Finding His Care in All Circumstances

By: Alistair Begg

Narrated by: David Cochran Heath

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

Are we hapless victims of life's whims? Are we driven along by some blind and impersonal force? Are we battered by circumstances beyond all control?

A thousand times, "No!" says pastor and author Alistair Begg. Instead, Begg says we are the objects of God's providential care. We reside under his guiding and protecting hand.

In this richly textured study of Joseph's life, listeners will discover God at work shaping Joseph's circumstances so that he can ultimately redeem and reconcile his family. And they'll see the hand of God in their own lives, lovingly guiding them through their disappointments and struggles to a place of peace.

It's an amazing and comforting fact: God rules and overrules in the circumstances of life. God's authority is neither capricious nor vindictive - quite the contrary - God works through the circumstances of life to bring about something miraculous, something abundantly good, even out of what we perceive to be our darkest moments. We can entrust the baggage of our past, the fears of our present, and the prospects of our future to the God who cares.

©2019 eChristian (P)2019 eChristian

Worthwhile

When I was 16 years old I heard the Gospel for the first time and became a Christian. It was that marvelous story of Joseph that God used to draw me to Himself. Thirty something years later I've pondered this story and all its nuances. Of course I've heard numerous sermons over the years but I endeavored to find an entire summary and exposition on this marvelous story from an author whom I respect. When I discovered this book was available through Ligonier Ministries, the teaching ministry of the late Dr. R.C. Sproul, I was excited because this book's author, Alistair Begg is one whom I've grown to appreciate and most importantly, find to be biblically sound. I appreciated this book however I think it could have been about a third shorter. The author injects so much ancillary fluff that I found completely unnecessary. I wish Mr. Begg would have simply dealt with what the scripture says, not tried to conjure that what is not there. Like how life was in Scotland, nor how his relationship with *his* grandfather was compared to Joseph's to his grandfather.

For example, Genesis told us that Joseph was good looking, great. Must the author delve in to how *he looked at 17 and how he would have liked to have been so good looking? See my point? This extraneous commentary neither adds nor enhances the narrative.

I did discover so many jewels that I'd either forgotten or perhaps never quite pondered. For example, hello-Joseph's father was Jacob! The one who robbed his brother Isaac of his birthright. The one who was deceived by Laban over Rachael and his desire to marry her but instead got Leah. Then, because he didn't get Rachel, had to work 7 more years to get Rachael. Then Rachael was barren and all the pain that went with watching her husband's concubines birth sons that were not hers but yet God intervened and she birthed Jacob and Ruben. So much drama yet so much forgiveness and providence despite the messes these people made for themselves. Just like us wretched sinners making a mess of things. But God. Jacob so wrongfully doted over Joseph by gifting him this amazing coat and unwittingly instilled hatred and jealousy in Joseph's brothers to the point they wanted to kill him. But God...worked in the eldest brother Judah to convince these murderous brothers to take Joseph out of a pit they'd deigned to leave him for dead and instead, sell him into slavery! This story shows us how our best efforts and actions, as depraved and wretched as they may be, work for good if God. This is such a marvelous story and there are so so many extensions to it and truths associated with is. "You meant it for evil but God meant it for God." What providence, what mercy! This book strengthened my faith and for that, it was a worthwhile read.

Gods goodness and sovereignty revealed

A must read for all who question their circumstances and want to know, “Where is God now?”

Eye opening

Starts off a bit slow, but stay with it.I love the story of Joseph. This book is thought provoking to about the sovereignty of God. So much I will listen again. . Highly recommend.

Informative

Well done, perspicacious insights and motivating to study the topic in more depth.
Compelling personal application.

powerful story of God's love and redeeming Grace!

What a powerful look at the vastness of God's love and redeeming grace, the completeness of his forgiveness, the trustworthiness of his sovereignty. I'm going to turn around and read/listen to it again.

Beautifully Points to Christ

So many lessons to be learned from the life of Joseph: faith, forgiveness, mercy, gentleness, leadership… but what I loved the most is how his life paralleled the Savior to come! Long before Jesus would come to pay for our sins, Joseph lived a life, from which we can take a page, that we too should parallel in our daily lives as we strive to be like Christ . This book beautifully illustrates this!

Worthwhile. Comforting, Inspiring, Wholesome.

Out of about 40-50 purchased audible books, this was surely one of my favorites. It’s read in a pleasant manner, and the content is endearing, wholesome, and engenders better faith in God and love for one another.

David Cochran Heath also reads an audio Bible as well. His reading is quality, clear and good.

If you’re an ordinary struggling Christian, I think you won’t go wrong giving this one a listen.

I may listen again and I don’t usually do that.

Insightful and Humbling

Enjoyed the indepth telling of Joseph life story. it is encouraging to see that God will not forsake us or leave us. Thank you.

Excellent Dissertation on Joseph

This book will enlighten anyone who listens to it on an in-depth look at Joseph as well as God's provision in their lives. it is a motivational tool for today when the struggles seem to much or unfair.

So glad I listened!

Alistair Begg hasn’t disappointed me yet. His books are spot on and easy to understand. I ordered a hard copy from Truth for Life and gave it away to a lady in UNCH who had just found out her husband had terminal cancer. So glad I did. I highly recommend this book!

Excellent!

So very helpful for daily Christian life. Thank you! Loved every chapter. I learned so much.

God will surely come to our aid

I want to thank Alistair Begg and Audible for sharing this wonderful revelation of God’s providence, provision and guidance in our world. I could not stop listening but went through the whole journey and my heart was strangely filled with hope and certain confidence in God right to our impending death - no fear in the face of death!

Reassurance in the sovereignty of God.

I enjoyed this book and was encouraged by the scripture references and looking at the life of Joseph.