For the past three Sundays, Bible in a Year readings have focused on the story of Joseph. Today, we get the conclusion… Joseph is able to rescue his family from famine and death following the long chain of events that began with his brothers selling him into slavery.
Genesis 45:1-13 (NIV)
1Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. 9Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. 10You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me — you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. 11I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’
12“You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you. 13Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
Isn’t it an amazing thing how God uses all circumstances to accomplish His will? Even the vilest of sin can work for God’s purposes.
I wonder if we really spend enough time thinking about the concept of God’s sovereignty in all things? I wonder how our perspectives on circumstances and situations would change if we had more of an understanding of this? Wouldn’t we have more peace in our hearts in difficult times? Wouldn’t we look to the future with hopeful expectation, knowing God’s working will surely be revealed in time?
What do you think?
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