Enslaved and Forgotten - Pt 5

His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:18-21 ESV).

56+This is what we have seen and will see over and over: What man designs — or the devil designs — for evil, God designs for some great good. The great good is “to preserve life” (cf. Genesis 45:5). And the great good mentioned in our reading is “to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today”( v. 50). But in those words, and the whole story of how God saves his people, are pointers to the global purpose of this sin, this life-saving sin, in the glory of Jesus Christ. There are three specific things we will look at in the next few days in this regard. These things clearly mark the glory of Jesus and who he really is. First, we see the general pattern that turns up over and over in the Bible, namely, that God’s saving victory for his people often comes through sin and suffering. Joseph’s brothers sinned against him, and he suffered for it. And in all this, God is at work to save his people, including the very ones who are trying to destroy the savior. The fact that Jesus came this way should not have been as surprising to as many people as it was. That he was sinned against and suffered on the way to save his people is what we would expect from this pattern that turns up again and again. So in the story of Joseph and the terrible betrayal of his brothers, we are being prepared to see the glory of Christ, his patience and humility and servanthood, all the while saving the very ones who were trying to get rid of him. The great hymnist, Charles Wesley, wrote it best: And can it be that I should gain An interest in the Savior's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain- For me, who Him to death pursued? Died he for me, who caused his pain — For me, who him to death pursued? Amazing love! how can it be That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?