Genesis
50:20 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.
In the midst of pain and confusion, there’s great comfort
in studying the life of Joseph. Think of all the things that happened to him.
His brothers hated him because of their father’s discriminate love and his
self-proclaimed prophetic dreams (Genesis 37:3, 5-9). When he journeyed on
Jacob’s behalf to check on the status of his brothers and their sheep, they
captured him, sold him into slavery to a band of Ishmaelites traveling to
Egypt, then fabricated a fairytale story to convince their father that their
younger brother was killed suddenly (Genesis 37:19-35).
In Egypt, while serving
successfully in the chief captain’s house, Joseph was deceived by the
Egyptian’s wife who lied to her husband about an action that he never did
(Genesis 39:7-18). This cost Joseph his job and his freedom, as Potiphar sent
him to jail. But while in prison, “The Lord was with him; he showed him
kindness…” (39:20b). From this position, God’s grace would enable Joseph to
interpret correctly the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker (Genesis 40),
then two years later for Pharaoh (41:1-36) who rewarded Joseph’s wisdom by
appointing him chief administrative officer over all Egypt (41:37-40). God
positioned Joseph to help his family in a time of great famine (42 – 50).
God’s intentions are always good. At times we may not
understand the movements of his hands, but we can always trust the intentions
of his heart. Look at Joseph’s life. Betrayed. Imprisoned. Rejected. Yet
through it all, God had a purpose.
Written by H. Curtis McDaniel