He Didn't Know

Genesis 39-45

Did you ever have one of those days, when nothing goes right? When the kids are sick, the clothes dryer quits, the car needs gas, your boss snaps at you, your 'friend' spreads some humiliating gossip, supper burns, etc.

What if your brothers tried to kill you...you were sold as a slave, in a country where you couldn't even speak their language... your boss's wife hit on you and then lied about it, causing you to be thrown in jail...your only friend in jail forgot about you when he was released...just when things were looking good, your no-good brothers show up?

The Bible never shows Joseph expressing despair or anger or resentment. He didn't know what God was doing; he didn't know that it would work out. Joseph did his best, wherever he found himself, and God blessed him.

"The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man... the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand... Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored...the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison...the keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper."

When Joseph intepreted Pharoh's dreams and was appointed second ruler of the land, people came from all over the land, bowing to him, asking him for food. He saw his brothers. He knew them, but they didn't recognize them.

I wonder what he thought. All those buried memories must have come pouring back. He missed his father and his little brother. With the advantage of being incognito, he tested his brothers to see if they had changed. He didn't use his power, to execute vengeance on them. He could have, but he loved them and forgave them.

When their father had died, the brothers thought for sure Joseph would revenge their past crimes against him, but he loved them and showed mercy toward them.

"Joseph said unto them, 'Fear not; for am I in the place of God? buat as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

Lord, help us to be like Joseph. May we live for You wherever we find ourselves. May we shine for you in the darkest circumstances, so that others around us will see You. Help us to show mercy and love toward those who treat us wrongly. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Look for my story on Friday Fiction, that I wrote about this incident from Rueben's point of view, "Meant for Good".