Genesis 41 through 50

In these chapters Joseph comes into contact with his brothers, who once sold him into slavery. At first they do not know it is him, but finally he makes himself known. He tells them, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And 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. For two years now there has been a famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God." (Genesis 45: 4-8).

What stuck out here to me is Joseph telling his brothers that him being where he is had nothing to do with them selling him into slavery, but that God placed him where he is! There are things that happen in life that are hard and painful. Sometimes it seems like its caused by other people... he hurt me, she betrayed me, he did this, she did that... and while that may be the case I believe God has a purpose for all those things. Of course God does not want us to be in pain, to hurt in any way, but at the same time the hard times we go through...the pain we feel...it can be used by Him. There is a reason for all things in life - all pain, all heartache. I believe that God does not want us to hurt, but I believe He allows it to use us... possibly in ways we will never understand. He may use our pain, our experiences in life to send us somewhere... to places, maybe where there are hurting souls who we can help because we've been there... Somehow our pain or obstacles sends us somewhere even if its just pushing us more towards God and leaning on and obeying Him. Maybe the only thing is does is send us towards a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. I think this goes for good things as well. Wherever we are, whatever we have in life...its all from God!

Joseph gets to see his father for a while before he dies. His brothers are fearful that without their father around Joseph will hold a grudge against them and try to pay them back from all the wrongs they did to him (Genesis50:15). So, they send word to Joseph telling him that his father left instructions for him, saying," 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." (Genesis50:16-17). This made Joseph weep, but when his brothers came to him, he said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." (Genesis50:19-21).

This stuck out to me because of his forgiveness... I like how it happened. He forgave his brothers even though they hurt him deeply - even though they pulled him away from his family and sold him into slavery. He still forgave... it takes a strong person to forgive...I think. I also liked how he told them that yes, they intended to cause him harm, but everything that happened to Joseph, God intended to be for good. I want to think like that... I want to be able to forgive those who have hurt me deeply... and truly and wholeheartedly believe, that yes, they intended to hurt me, but God intended for their hurting me to be used in a good way. I think maybe that makes forgiving easier...knowing that there is a reason for all of it.

Thought of today: Wherever I am, whatever I am doing...If I am doing it FOR God, if I am following Him, then He will take care of me.


I am so thankful that His hands are full of love for me and that in His hands He holds my life. Thank You Lord for having such a caring and loving heart.