“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.” Genesis 50:20
When reviewing Joseph’s life many would say, (as I have
heard before) “I want the character but not the curriculum.”
Joseph’s story is truly amazing- born as the favorite child
of his father he was lavished with love and affection and a coat of many colors
that he flaunted before his brothers.
Naturally, as any child born to a parent that feels another child is favored,
his brothers grew jealous but it was to the point of wanting to murder Joseph;
though they ended up selling him into slavery.
Joseph, who was once the favored son, was now an indentured servant.
But God remembered Joseph and granted him favor in the eyes
of his master wherever he went. He ended
up in jail because his master’s wife also favored Joseph, but even there God
would prosper him.
Many people wonder why God allows innocent people to suffer. But we have to look at the suffering of Jesus
to prove God’s point. Suffering produces
merciful servants of the living Christ.
Suffering when consecrated to Christ produces Mercy that touches the
heart of God and enables him to hear our prayers and even change the destiny of
a nation.
After Jesus died he went to the right hand of the Father
where he lives to intercede on our behalf. (Romans 8:34) Jesus is our ultimate
intercessor.
Joseph, through the course of his life also became a
righteous merciful intercessor. Joseph went
from slave to prisoner to 2nd in command to Pharaoh. It was quite a journey for this young man. There
was heartache, pain, and great loss for Joseph but it didn’t end there. There would also be great restoration. Eventually God would raise him up over the entire
land of Egypt. He would provide food for
the multitudes and save the land of Egypt from a great famine.
In the end, the mercy of God extended even to Joseph’s
elderly father, Jacob. He would get to
see Joseph again before he died. Joseph’s
love, mercy and forgiveness extended to his once jealous brothers. In the end, He would provide for them and
their families.
“So then, don’t be afraid.
I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to
them.” Genesis 50:21
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