"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} (NIV 1984)
Joseph was a man whom I admire deeply. He was a dreamer who received special revelation from God. He was a survivor, who suffered abuse from his brothers and the Egyptians. He was pure and fled the temptation to touch Potiphar’s wife. He was diligent in all the tasks that were given to him. He was a family man; his dad and brothers were very important to him. This man above all other things trusted God explicitly! He knew God, and lived his life in front of God, despite all the wrong happening to him.
This statement that he makes to his brothers tells us that Joseph believed that God makes plans and carries His plans out. It tells us that Joseph believed that God’s plans are always good and the fact that humans intend wrong as they unknowingly carry out God’s plans is secondary.
As we read Genesis 47 and see how Joseph set the stage for Pharaoh to “own” his people, we might wonder if God really knows what He is doing. Could it be that God’s plan to save the lives of Jacob’s family and the lives of the Egyptians, has an unintended consequence of slavery? Joseph wouldn’t think so, and neither should we!
There are no unintended consequences to God’s plans. May we trust God this day, as much as Joseph trusted Him!
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