“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
How utterly perplexing and baffling life was for Joseph, whose true story we read about in the book of Genesis. He endured suffering and dashed hopes, even though he belonged to a family which had inherited the blessing of God.
Sold by his brothers as a slave, with his death faked, he found himself in Egypt, far from the family home. Would he ever see them again?
But the Lord was with him, Genesis says, and Joseph’s excellent work caught the attention of his boss, Potiphar, a senior member of the Egyptian government, who promoted him to head of household.
Progress! But then Potiphar’s wife made a false accusation against him, and he was thrown into prison. Now he was both far from his family and incarcerated.
Once again, the Lord was with him, and he was given a responsible position as “prisoner in charge”. Then two other inmates had dreams. One of them was Pharaoh’s former cupbearer, also a prisoner, and Joseph’s interpretation was that he would be restored to his position. Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember his kindness to him and, on his release, to mention his case to Pharaoh.
The cupbearer was indeed restored, but in all his excitement, he forgot all about Joseph. He remained far from family and incarcerated – now he was also forgotten. What a dash to his hopes!
It was only after two more years that release came. Pharaoh had some dreams and asked if anyone could interpret them. That was when the cupbearer remembered Joseph. The rest was history – Joseph was promoted to be Pharaoh’s deputy, and administered a grain storage system which saved the nation, and many foreign visitors, from a famine.
Among those who came for relief were Joseph’s own family. Joseph, the rejected brother, actually became the rescuer of his own family. Eventually he met his brothers and was reconciled with them – though only after a complex process to ensure they really were changed.
Where was God in all this? At the end of the story, Joseph tells his brothers – in the quote above. He worked through Joseph’s rejection to bring about the salvation of those who’d rejected him.
The parallel with our Lord Jesus is obvious – for He, too, through His rejection by His own people brought them (and us) salvation. Praise Him for that!
But it is also helpful to remember Joseph when we face baffling situations as God’s people. At the time it seemed like a total mess – but God was working His purposes out. Even then, not all of the purposes of God in Joseph’s long delay are explained. But this story is a reminder to God’s people, when life is perplexing, that our sovereign, saving God is still in charge. He really is!
