Suffering & Salvation
18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,†they said.
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.†And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Genesis 50:18-21
On Tuesday we saw that Joseph is the righteous man who is betrayed to the point of death. But today, we find him in a very different place. He is sitting at the right hand of Pharaoh and is ruler of all of Egypt.
For Joseph, it’s been a rollercoaster. First he is betrayed by his brothers and sold as a slave. After being bought by an Egyptian captain of the guard and making his way to head slave, he rebuffs the advances of his bosses wife only to be falsely accused of sexual assault.
Finally, while in prison, he is able to interpret the dreams of first other prisoners and then eventually, Pharaoh himself. This leads to his elevation (some might say resurrection even) to Pharaoh’s inner court and eventually Joseph is assigned the role similar to a president or prime minister of all of Egypt.
Importantly, through his rulership, and through his God-given interpretation of Pharaoh's dream. Joseph prepares for a regional-wide famine. Egypt becomes the only place that has food. Outside Egypt, people are starving, including God’s people - the sons of Jacob and their families. So they come to Egypt where Joseph is able to provide food for them - in essence saving God’s people from starvation.
This all leads to a wonderful reconciliation of Joseph and his brothers. Which is where Joseph makes this powerful statement. What they meant for evil (in enslaving Joseph) - God meant for good and through it saved many people.
This points to what will happen two thousand years later. The natural successor to Egypt in world power is Rome. Jesus will be betrayed and falsely accused by His own people. Unlike Joseph, Jesus will truly die. But His death will result in the salvation of God’s people through His offered forgiveness.
Whatsmore. Jesus is raised from the dead and ascends to the right hand of God, the Father where He rules as King of Kings in glory. Through Him there is reconciliation with God and all of God’s people as He intercedes and provides for them.
Do you see it? Joseph provides us with a wonderful glimmer of the greater one to come. But what does it mean for us? Well, a bunch of things, but here’s one. God is working all things for the good of His people. If you trust in Jesus, that includes you. It means that though your situation might look dark or be painful - there is always hope.
For Today:
Pray:
Praise the Father that He is working all things for good. Give thanks for Jesus Christ who suffered injustice and death for His people. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others trust and hope in the work of Christ and the providence of God.
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.†And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Genesis 50:18-21
On Tuesday we saw that Joseph is the righteous man who is betrayed to the point of death. But today, we find him in a very different place. He is sitting at the right hand of Pharaoh and is ruler of all of Egypt.
For Joseph, it’s been a rollercoaster. First he is betrayed by his brothers and sold as a slave. After being bought by an Egyptian captain of the guard and making his way to head slave, he rebuffs the advances of his bosses wife only to be falsely accused of sexual assault.
Finally, while in prison, he is able to interpret the dreams of first other prisoners and then eventually, Pharaoh himself. This leads to his elevation (some might say resurrection even) to Pharaoh’s inner court and eventually Joseph is assigned the role similar to a president or prime minister of all of Egypt.
Importantly, through his rulership, and through his God-given interpretation of Pharaoh's dream. Joseph prepares for a regional-wide famine. Egypt becomes the only place that has food. Outside Egypt, people are starving, including God’s people - the sons of Jacob and their families. So they come to Egypt where Joseph is able to provide food for them - in essence saving God’s people from starvation.
This all leads to a wonderful reconciliation of Joseph and his brothers. Which is where Joseph makes this powerful statement. What they meant for evil (in enslaving Joseph) - God meant for good and through it saved many people.
This points to what will happen two thousand years later. The natural successor to Egypt in world power is Rome. Jesus will be betrayed and falsely accused by His own people. Unlike Joseph, Jesus will truly die. But His death will result in the salvation of God’s people through His offered forgiveness.
Whatsmore. Jesus is raised from the dead and ascends to the right hand of God, the Father where He rules as King of Kings in glory. Through Him there is reconciliation with God and all of God’s people as He intercedes and provides for them.
Do you see it? Joseph provides us with a wonderful glimmer of the greater one to come. But what does it mean for us? Well, a bunch of things, but here’s one. God is working all things for the good of His people. If you trust in Jesus, that includes you. It means that though your situation might look dark or be painful - there is always hope.
For Today:
- Have you seen these glimmers of Christ in the Old Testament?
- Do you trust that God is working all things for the good of His people?
- Do you trust in Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension?
Pray:
Praise the Father that He is working all things for good. Give thanks for Jesus Christ who suffered injustice and death for His people. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others trust and hope in the work of Christ and the providence of God.
Posted in Save Our Sundays
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