God Used That

God Used That
Genesis 50: 19 – 21
By Sis. Carolyn J. Satcher
 
God often uses people in order for us to appreciate what He has done for us. Prior to this scripture, Joseph’s brothers had become jealous of him because they realized their father Jacob had paid extra attention to Joseph and had given him a coat of many colors. Pretending to love Joseph as brothers should, as they were traveling the brothers threw Joseph into a well and left him there for dead. Then later on a traveler came by and heard him and lifted him from the well. No matter what evil man brings against us, God can use it for good.

Joseph did not have the text of Romans 8:28, but he had the truth of it: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Our lives are not in the hands of men, but in the hands of God, who overrules all things for His glory.

This was the immediate good in the situation with Joseph and his brothers. If this large family did not come to Egypt and live it would have perished in the famine. Only by coming to Egypt could they be preserved and grow into a distinct nation.

If Joseph’s brothers had never sold him to the Midianites, then Joseph never would have gone to Egypt. If Potiphar’s wife had never falsely accused him of rape, then he would never have been put in prison. If he had never been put in prison, he never would have met the baker and butler of Pharaoh. If he never would have met the baker and butler of Pharaoh, he never would have interpreted Pharaoh’s dream. If he never would have gotten to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, he never would have become prime minister. If he never became would have become prime minister, he never would have wisely administrated for the severe famine coming upon the region.

If he never would have wisely administrated for the severe famine coming upon the region, then his family back in Canaan would have perished from the famine. If his family back in Canaan had perished from the famine, then the Messiah would not have come forth from a dead family. If the Messiah could not come forth, then Jesus would never come. If Jesus would have never come, then we would all be dead in our sins and without hope in this world. We should be grateful for God’s great and wise plan.

And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them: Because Joseph trusted the overarching hand of God, even in all the evil that came upon him through his brothers, he showed the love and compassion to them he did. Joseph’s love for his brothers was shown not only in feelings and words, but also in practical action.

Prayer: Thank you dear Lord for putting those in our lives who sometime think to do evil to us, but all things work for the good to those who love the Lord. We thank you for the victory that comes out of evil, and we bless your name. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.


Quotes taken from David Guzik :: Study Guide for Genesis 50