But 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. (Genesis 50:20)
The life of Joseph is one of the most beautiful lives ever lived. Few characters in the Bible are as glorious to study as the man Joseph. For the next several weeks, we will dive more deeply into the life of Joseph as recorded in Genesis chapters 37-50. As we begin this study, let us familiarize ourselves with the highlights of Joseph’s life.
Sold into Slavery
Joseph was a son of Jacob, whose name had been changed to Israel. In Genesis 37:3, the Bible says that “Israel loved Joseph more than all his children.” Joseph was hated by his brethren because he was his father’s favorite son.
When Joseph was seventeen years old, he was sent to check on his brothers, and they “conspired against him to slay him” (37:18). They stripped Joseph of his beautiful robe and cast him into a pit. Instead of taking his life, they sold him into slavery for twenty pieces of silver.
Better off in Egypt
In Genesis 39, we find that Joseph was brought down into Egypt. He served in the house of Potiphar, and “the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand” (39:3). Joseph was better off in Egypt in the care of God than he was in Canaan among his brothers who despised and envied him.
There came a time when Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce Joseph. Joseph said, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (39:9). The foundation of Joseph’s character was his faith in God. However, Potiphar’s wife lied about Joseph, and Potiphar sent him to prison.
Better off in Prison
The Bible says in Genesis 39:21 that “the LORD was with Joseph” while he was in prison. Joseph was better off in prison with his godly character intact than he was living in the lap of luxury in Potiphar’s house but guilty of fornication.
The Lord delivered Joseph from prison. Pharaoh had a dream, and the butler, who had been imprisoned with Joseph, remembered that Joseph could interpret dreams. God enabled Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, and he was exalted over all the land of Egypt (Genesis 41:38-41). Although the butler had forgotten Joseph, it is evident that God never forgot him. We often want God to work quickly, but God desires to work thoroughly.
Sinned Against by His Brethren
God worked in Joseph’s life even though his own brethren sinned against him. The Lord used a famine to bring Joseph’s brethren into his presence. In Genesis chapters 42-44, we read of the events that took place before Joseph revealed himself to his brethren. When they saw that God had found out their sin and when they came to the end of themselves, Joseph knew he could make himself known.
Joseph forgave his brothers completely. The Bible says in Genesis 45:15 that “he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them.” He embraced those who had sinned against him. What a picture of our Savior!
Sent by God
Although Joseph was sold into slavery and sinned against by his brethren, he recognized that he was sent by God! Joseph came to know God and learned to trust Him.
When Joseph grew old, he looked back on his life and understood that God had sent him to Egypt to preserve the lives of many people, including his own father and his family. He told his brothers, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.”