Did you ever think about the fact that it was God who sent Joseph to Egypt?
This fact just struck me this morning while I was reading in Psalm 105. It was God who sent Joseph to Egypt. We always say that Joseph’s brothers sold him and they did, but it was actually God who sent him.
Psalms 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
Joseph himself said:
Genesis 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
This is not exactly how one would choose for himself to be sent, but it was God’s plan. God can take the wickedness of man and use it for His good. Incidents like this make Romans 8:28-29 a reality.
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
Psalms 105:18-19 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
Not only did God send him, but then he tried him.
Wow! He really put Joseph to the test! I have to ask myself the question, could I endure such testing! Look at what he went through.
- he was hated by his brothers
- he was mocked by his brothers
- his brothers wanted to murder him (note: if we are living in obedience to the Lord, we will not see death until it is God’s time for us)
- he was sold as a slave by his brothers
- he was accused of rape and sexual misconduct
- he was thrown into prison with no evidence against him
- he was by no means guilty, yet God allowed “horrible” things to happen to him
But good news
! (Aff link)
When it was time, God exalted his humble servant:
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
- Through all of this Joseph chose to do right
- It is repeated over and over that God was with Joseph
- Through each trial, I’m sure it humbled Joseph even more
- By the time Joseph became 2nd in command he was a very humble man and stayed a humble man.
- At this point he realized that anything could happen. He knew it was God who sets up one and brings down another
- What great humility it took to forgive his wicked brothers. When one can forgive like this we can only assume that he too realized his own wickedness and the great forgiveness of God to him
- He knew and proclaimed that God meant it all for good.
- Genesis 50:20 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. (see also Romans 8:28-29)
- Because of all that happened many lives were saved!
Yes, God meant it all for good
Think of it. Things happening in your own life may be wrong toward you, may be unfair, may be downright ugly, but it is certain that God has a purpose.
When we love and obey Him and humble ourselves before him, He gives us grace to go through the trials and tests. He uses it for the good of others as well as to conform us more to His image.
God may send you somewhere where you are put to the ultimate test, where is seems impossible to see any fruit. Yet, He is with you using it for His glory and possibly using you to save the lives of many.
When Jesus was on earth, He was definitely put to the test. He was abused and done wrong more than any man on the earth. The perfect Son of God was cruelly murdered for the sake of others. As God sent Joseph, God sent His only Son
