Joseph Saves His Brothers

Anyone who has had to deal with a parent’s favoritism can sympathize with Joseph’s brothers. Not only did Jacob overtly favor the son of his favorite wife, giving him clothing that likely indicated he would not be expected to do manual labor like his brothers, but even God seemed to be favoring him with dreams indicating that he would rule over his brothers and his parents. The brothers were jealous and hated him to the point that they sold him into slavery after seriously contemplating murdering him.

In Egypt, God continued to bless Joseph, causing him to excel in service to Potiphar’s household. When he was falsely accused and imprisoned, he was blessed there too. The prison flourished under Joseph’s management, but Joseph was still unjustly enslaved and falsely imprisoned. Where was God’s favor?

In the prison, Joseph came into contact with Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer and was able to interpret their dreams. This was necessary for the latter to be able to testify to Pharaoh when he had dreams of his own needing an interpretation. When he successfully did so, he was elevated to manage the preparations for a great famine that would come after years of good crops. After the famine began and Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt for grain, Joseph’s dream was fulfilled when his brothers bowed to him.

When Joseph’s brothers eventually found out that their brother was alive and the second-in-command in Egypt, they were justifiably terrified. What would Joseph do to repay their treachery all those years ago? However, Joseph’s experience taught him that God had used even the hateful intentions of his brothers in his plan to save many lives. Not only that, but Goshen was a good place for Israel to grow from a family into a nation.

Judah (one of Joseph’s brothers), not Joseph, was the next link in the line of promise. But God used Joseph to ensure his family’s survival, which would lead to the arrival of the Messiah.

Many of us can look back in our lives and see how God has used circumstances that were devastating at the time for his glory and our good. But when we are going through hard times, it can take a lot of faith to trust that God is superintending even the things others mean for evil and turning them for our good.

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:18–30

Question for Discussion/Reflection: Can you think of a time in your life when God used a circumstance that was bad at the time for his glory?

Suggestion for Prayer: Ask God for the faith to trust him even during hard times.