Genesis 50:19-20 What you have meant for evil, God has meant for good

4/8/10

Time Spent: 20 min

Main Idea: Joseph reassures his brothers that he will not act out in vengeance against them for their evil because it was God that lead him here.

What this tells me about God: Because all things work for good for those who love Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:28), we know that we have an infinitely omniscient and infinitely compassionate God.

Summary: In lieu of their father Jacob's death, the brothers were in fear that Joseph might seek vengeance against them. They twist their father's words to protect themselves against Joseph. However, this has an inverse affect on Joseph as he begins to weep at the very notion of this. Joseph exclaims that he is not in the seat of God where he would bring charges against his brothers and also sees God's greater purpose and plan in the midst of his suffering. What they had meant for evil, God had meant for good.

Application: We can never have enough or too much control in our lives. I must remember that the events, whether they be good or bad, happen as a result of God's good pleasure in my life. Some events I may not be able to explain right away, but there has to be some deep-seeded purpose in the manner of my suffering or circumstance that will one day reveal itself. Joseph was able to see the heavenly view, that God had used Joseph for this major task and I hope too for all the things that I'm experiencing will one day be like that as well. I have sure confidence that it will, knowing Rom. 8:28 applies to me and that it is a promise made by God for everything to work out for good! To apply this truth, I will not only pray for the "what" of hardships but the "why"'s of it as well; understanding that hardships have a place and significance must be taken account to experience the same type of forgiveness Joseph was able to give onto his brothers.