Mar 26

Genesis 45
Memorise Genesis 45:5
“So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God”

The time had come for Joseph to finally reveal himself to his brothers. He had tested them twice, and they have shown that they have indeed changed. They were not the jealous deceptive and cruel brothers from before, but had now matured, and were willing to take responsibility for their actions. Unable to contain himself any longer, Joseph told them “I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt” (Genesis 45:4). At this point, he could have chosen to berate them, to rebuke them for their most heinous betrayal, of how they had ruined his life and plunged him into the depths of misery for so many years. He could have been angry, bitter and resentful for all that they had so thoughtlessly put him through. Yet he did not. Instead of words of wrath, he had only words of comfort and assurance. Instead of vengeance, he had forgiveness and reconciliation. How was he able to do that? How was he able to put all those years of hurt behind him? The secret was that he understood the providence of God. He understood that God was the one who sent him to Egypt for a good purpose. He understood that it was necessary for him to endure all those sufferings in order that God’s plan be fulfilled. He may not have enjoyed the process, but he saw and understood the bigger picture of God’s sovereign hand guiding him each step of the way. He knew God was with him, and that enabled him to remain strong in the face of adversity. Thus he was able to tell his brothers “therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life… and God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance” (Genesis 45:5,7). He understood how this was necessary in order for God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob be fulfilled, that they would be safe in the land of Egypt and be able to weather through the famine.

And so the brothers returned to tell Jacob of all that had transpired, and Jacob was reunited with his beloved son. He and his family were relocated to the land of Goshen in Egypt where they were amply provided for and saved from the famine. This is where they stayed for the next four hundred years, though in Egypt but separate as a people, fulfilling God’s prophecy to Abraham in Genesis 15:13. Likewise for us, God is the one guiding us though every step of our lives, and through His perfect providence, he will always have a perfect plan for our lives.

Thought: Remember the promise of Romans 8:28.
Prayer: Lord, grant me the faith to believe in Thy providence for my life.