“ 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.” - Genesis 37:23-24
“19 But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 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.” - Genesis 50:19-20
Have you ever been betrayed? Stabbed in the back? Have you ever felt like you were staring face to face with pure evil?
I am sure that is how Joseph felt about his brothers. Sure, Joseph was a cocky kid who liked to share dreams about his whole family bowing down to him, but what teenager doesn’t have those dreams? Joseph’s dad didn’t help matters by always treating him as the favorite. Not only was Joseph given a coat like no other, he insisted on wearing it. Every time his brothers saw that coat, they were reminded they would always play second fiddle to Joseph.
They had enough of dad’s favoritism, enough of Joseph’s stinking coat, and enough of hearing about his delusions of grandeur. They sold Joseph as a slave. Imagine how Joseph must have felt being sold by his brothers? Their betrayal kicked off a chain of events that only got worse for him. Joseph not only had to work as a slave, he was falsely accused of assault and locked in prison. In prison, Joseph was forgotten by people who promised to help set him free.
All of this changed the day Pharaoh summoned Joseph to interpret his dreams. The prisoner was elevated to the role of second most powerful man in the world! I wonder what went through Joseph’s mind when he saw his brothers bowing down before him asking for grain? Joseph could have gotten even, but he chose to forgive. As you hang your ornament, remember, God can rescue, but even when He doesn’t, He always redeems.
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