(Genesis 50:19-20) 19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, and was Jacob's favorite. Jacob loved and favored Joseph to the point of making a coat of many colors for him. This favoritism was enough to cause jealousy and envy from his eleven brothers. However, Joseph's brothers hated him more because of his dreams. Joseph dreamed that not only would his brothers bow in his presence, but their mother and father would as well.
One day, Joseph's eleven brothers were sent to feed the family's flock. Jacob was concern about his sons' welfare, so he sent Joseph to make sure that all was well with them. When Joseph was seen from a distance, his brothers conspired against him, "let us slay him...and we shall see what will become of his dreams (Genesis 37:20)." Two of Joseph's brothers, Reuben and Judah were moved to intervene. Their hearts were moved to save Joseph from the murderous plot of their brothers. Reuben and Judah' intervention caused Joseph to be sold as a slave to the Ishmeelites. The Ishmeelites had a caravan that was headed to Egypt.
By Joseph being sold into slavery, Joseph would lose his part of his inheritance from his father, and he would be removed from his home with the high possibility that he would never see his family again. Joseph had a reason to be angry and bitter toward his brothers in light of their wrong against him.
In Egypt, Joseph found favor in Potiphar's house. Potiphar made him the overseer over his house. In spite of Joseph' faithfulness in serving Potiphar, Joseph was falsely accused of attempting to rape Potiphar's wife. Although Joseph was more faithful to Potiphar than his own wife, Potiphar placed Joseph in a dark, cold dungeon. Two years later, God delivered Joseph by the gift that God had given him of interpreting dreams.
I must question whether Joseph would have received the favor and deliverance if he had become bitter by his life experiences. Joseph could have easily justified his bitterness toward his family, Potiphar, and his false accusers. Joseph could have even justified his anger with God for his experiences. Yet, I sense that Joseph did not even allow his why questions to sidetrack him with anger and bitterness. We will do well to learn from Joseph's response to all that had happened to him. He did not harbor resentment against his brother, or anyone else that had wronged him. Joseph did not curse at God for his extremely difficult life experiences. He did not attempt to point out how right he was, and how wrong everyone else was. Instead, Joseph made the best of his life experience and maintained his confidence in God! For that reason, in addition to God's sovereign plans, God delivered Joseph. Joseph was able to say to his brothers and others that had wronged him, "ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good." God can take the evil from our life experiences, and use the evil for our good!!! God be continually praised!!! Forgive those who have wronged you, and love even your enemies, and watch what God will do on your behalf!
Dr. A.L. Purham, Sr., Pastor
Freedom Baptist Church of Duncan, SC
Published by Dr. A.L. Purham, Sr. with all rights reserved
