“What Was Intended For Evil, God Intended For Good” Genesis 50:15-21
Introduction
This is the last week’s message from the ten-week series “Joseph – What God Intended For Good” that focused on the life of Joseph and his family as authored by Moses in Genesis.
Last week, we explored Genesis 47 – verses 1-12 and Genesis 47:27. This week we conclude the series by looking at God having the last word in Joseph’s life.
Message
The story in a nutshell. First Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He came to be in charge of his master’s (Potiphar) household in Egypt until he was falsely accused of assaulting his master’s wife – for which he was thrown into prison. While in prison, he accurately interpreted the dreams of two fellow inmates. One of the inmates (the cupbearer) was restored to Pharaoh’s service and two years later mentioned Joseph to Pharaoh when Pharaoh had two dreams that needed to be interpreted. Joseph was then brought before him and with God’s help interpreted the dreams. Joseph was then put in charge of Egypt and carried out his plan to prevent starvation for the Egyptians and the rest of the world during a seven-year famine. The story then unfolded with Joseph’s brothers coming to Egypt for food so that their family could survive by Pharaoh providing Jacob’s family with a secure place to live – Goshen.
So, let’s read Genesis 50:15-21
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
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.
We see here the death of Jacob and the fear by the brothers that Joseph really had not forgiven them. They feared that once Jacob had passed from the scene that he no longer was the ‘buffer’ between Joseph and them.
That brings us to Joseph’s response when the subject was raised by the brothers.
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.”
Some points to consider
• The brother’s played the Jacob card – 15 “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.”
• This answers the question, “Did Jacob know what the brothers had done to Joseph – throwing him in the pit and selling him as a slave?”
• Guilt begets fear.
• The weight of guilt is heavy as evidenced by the brother’s fear that they had not been totally forgiven.
• Joseph was focused on God’s plan – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Notice that throughout the story that Joseph was always looking out for others.
• The brothers were focused on themselves.
• God was involved in the Joseph story. Let’s expand that thought with the focus on the brother’s intention to harm Joseph, but God’s intention was that good was to come from it. And, at the same time, “What are the odds that this would be the outcome of the story?” So here we go with a quick review of the major events.
1) Joseph has a dream of his brothers bowing down before him.
2) Joseph was thrown into the pit rather than being killed by his brothers.
3) The slave-trading caravan happens by at that particular time.
4) Joseph ends up in Potiphar’s household.
5) Joseph put in jail in the basement of Potiphar’s house.
6) Joseph in charge of Pharaoh’s two servants in the jail.
7) The two servants have dreams that Joseph was able to interpret.
8) Joseph gets out of jail just after Pharaoh had his two dreams.
9) Joseph interpreted the dreams while Pharaoh’s magicians could not.
10) Pharaoh chooses Joseph to be his prime minister.
11) The famine brings Joseph’s brothers to Egypt.
12) Pharaoh directing Joseph’s family to settle in Goshen.
It is crystal clear that God was in charge from the beginning. Being thrown into a pit, being sold as a slave, being put in jail, and yet there was a good outcome. An outcome that fulfilled just one step of God’s plan of salvation.
Concluding Remarks and Application
How does that apply to us? When we trace our walk with Jesus, we cannot help but see how God has directed our steps. Sometimes, they have been hard steps. But, when we stop and look back, we often see that God was with us every step of the way.