Sibling relationships are tough. For the entirety of my childhood, I skittered around my older sisters’ bedrooms, pilfering makeup, borrowing clothes, and denying that I’d done anything of the sort. We tattled on each other constantly. And when one of my sisters finally got her driver’s license, she was annoyed to discover that meant she would have to drive me to school every day. I wanted my sisters to like me, and yet try as I might, I was always a little bit annoying.
Joseph was a little annoying too. Scripture tells us he had a habit of tattling on his brothers (Genesis 37:2). And later, when he had vivid dreams of his future glory, he didn’t tuck those dreams away to contemplate in private. Instead, he went on blabbing them to everyone! Even his father got a little tired of 17-year-old Joseph’s big head (v.10).
Joseph’s story is the very last story in Genesis. It’s a hard story, one of sibling rivalry and deceit and near-murder. After all, when his brothers sold him into slavery, they had no idea how Joseph would fare in the hands of his captors. Would he survive? Did they care?
Though today’s assigned Scripture gives the bookended view of Joseph’s story, it’s worth taking time to read what happened in between. In the years after his brothers sold Joseph into slavery, he was sold again, accused of rape, and then thrown into prison, where he festered for more than two years. When Pharaoh finally summoned Joseph from the dungeon to interpret his terrifying dreams (Genesis 41), Joseph’s own dreams could have easily faded into nothing in his memory. Where was the God who had promised to give him power and influence?
The truth is, Joseph’s life was far worse and far better than what he’d seen in those dreams. God had a plan for him, but that plan included much suffering. That plan included brothers that plotted evil against him. It included time in a dungeon. It included trembling before a king that could have killed him on sight. And it included rising to a position of power that ultimately saved his entire family—and the region—from starvation. What they planned for evil, God used for good (Genesis 50:20).
Because we have the rest of Scripture, we know that Joseph’s role in the redemption of the world was only the beginning. After all, that large family that arrived in Egypt to escape starvation ultimately became the nation of slaves at the beginning of Exodus—the ones crying out for a savior. There was more suffering to come. And more saving.
Joseph’s life was central to God’s plan for the world. But just because we’re living out God’s plan for our life doesn’t mean there won’t be pain. We can rest assured that even what others plan for evil, God can use for good.
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27 thoughts on "Joseph"
I have always loved Joseph’s story and cherished the message of redemption on all sides of it. What was meant for evil, God used for good, and He continues to do the same in my life and, I assume, yours as well. Lord help us to trust You in the midst of our suffering, that it is ultimately for our good and Your glory!
It was years between Joseph’s initial dreams and the fruition of those dreams. Joseph faced many trials in those years but those trials were preparation for what God had planned for him. He needed the knowledge he gained in those years to prepare him for the work to come. I want God to use me immediately. I like to lay my expectations on him and then i get upset or disappointed when things don’t happen on my timeline but the story of Jospeh reminds me that preparation requires patience.
Tina thank you…always a blessing to learn from each others life experiences. Thank you Jesus that you are with us with a plan always. Jesus forgive me when I get caught up in the daily experiences, please help me to give them to you daily/hourly with trust in your outcome.
All of our lives are built into God’s plan. Lord, help me to embrace my place in your story, whatever that may be. Amen ♡
SRT, any idea why my insta live steams with lots of pauses/frozen coverage?
I love love love that form of study you are now providing. I don’t want to miss a beat.
God bless your mission to Glorify our God and spread the Gospel to the world.
Jen
In the account of Joseph”s life, I see God’s sovereignty in, through and over suffering. Joseph was a favored (and foolish) son. He wasn’t good at social cues to keep his mouth shut. It nearly cost him his life at the hands of his own brothers and put him on a trajectory of great suffering. Yet God was with him and had a plan. God was with him in Canaan and in Egypt. I think Israel may have suspected that God was up to something with Joseph because he “kept the matter in mind” regarding Joseph’s dreams. Who would have thought that the future of a favored son would include such jealousy, hatred and suffering… And yet such saving victory? This brings to mind another favored Son. Who would have believed that He would also face such suffering and yes, have such victory? I thank God for Joseph’s faithfulness and I thank my Savior Jesus for His. Indeed, what man intended for evil, God planned for good.
Amen, Churchmouse, amen!
Ooh this is great!
#blessed
When i was 3 my mum and dad separated with my brother and I going off to live with daddy in a far away land with sunshine and mosquitoes…
When I was 16 I asked dad if I could visit my mum. He agreed. So here I was, trying to fit in with 3 sisters and another brother.. not easy.. sibling rivalry.. at its worst! I was the sister they had heard about but didn’t know.. I was the sister who now had all of mum’s attention as she got to know me.. I was the sister that had interrupted a perfectly normal family life..I was the sister changing the dynamics of the already adjusted family..!
During an argument with my mum, one day, the oldest of the new set, aged 13 took out a knife from the draw and threatens me with it.. I was the sister pushing her out of the older sister spot…!
Things went from bad to worse and in the end I left mum’s house and moved in with my boyfriend’s family..
The journey has not been paved with gold that’s for sure, but I am here and God uses and blessed me every day.
That was many many many years ago.. and am thankful to say.. we are the best of siblings these days..
But God…
Oh BUT GOD.. my beautiful loving Father God..
He walked ahead, through the hardships, through the traumas, through the heartache, through the storms of life.. after all did Jesus not say..”in this life you will have trouble..” I see that now, to get anywhere that will and be in God’s will there will be stress, there will be worry, there will be heartache and pain.., “but take heart, I have overcome the world…”.
Joseph didn’t have Jesus, but praise God I/we do..AMEN.
Thank you Lord God that you are ever present by your spirit in us no matter the situation, journey, state of mind.. you are with us always.. Thank you.. Thank you..in the most mighty name of Jesus..AMEN…
Sending love across the pond that grows with the rains that don’t let up..
Happy Tuesday..
Your story gives me hope Christiana! Thx for sharing
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story Christiana.
Your story gave me so much peace