Read: Genesis 45:1–11
Bible in a Year: Job 30–31; Acts 13:26–52
It was not you who sent me here, but God. Genesis 45:8
“The perception of favoritism is one of the biggest factors in
sibling rivalry,” said Dr. Barbara Howard, a developmental behavioral
pediatrician (“When Parents Have a Favorite Child” nytimes.com). An
example would be the Old Testament character Joseph, who was his
father’s favorite son, which made his older brothers furious (Gen.
37:3–4). So they sold Joseph to merchants traveling to Egypt and made it
appear that a wild animal had killed him (37:12–36). His dreams had
been shattered and his future appeared hopeless.
Yet, along Joseph’s journey of life, he chose to be true to his
God and rely on Him even when it seemed to make his situation worse.
After being falsely accused by his employer’s wife and imprisoned for
something he didn’t do, Joseph struggled with the injustice of his
situation but kept trusting the Lord.
Years later his brothers came to Egypt to
buy grain during a famine and were terrified to discover that their
despised younger brother was now the Prime Minister. But Joseph told
them, “Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for
selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of
you . . . . It was not you who sent me here, but God” (45:5, 8).
Joseph’s kind words cause me to wonder if I would be ready for
revenge. Or would I be gracious because my heart had confidence in the
Lord?
Dear Father, give us the faith to trust You today and the ability to see Your hand of good along our road of life.
In the darkest hours of life, only through the eyes of faith can we see the loving hand of God.
© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries
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