In Genesis 45, we enter the incredible story of Jacob’s son, Joseph. God passed down His promise from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob. We now see how Jacob’s twelve sons are also part of His promise and plan.
Just as there was great competition between Isaac and Ishmael, and then Jacob and Esau, Joseph’s brothers resented him for being the favorite son of their father. They sold him into slavery in Egypt and told their father he had been killed. While Joseph experienced betrayal, imprisonment, false accusation, and being forgotten, God caused him to gain favor with the most powerful man in the world, the Pharaoh.
When a terrible famine came upon the known world, Egypt, under Joseph’s direction, became a source of help to all who were suffering. Jacob’s sons traveled to Egypt for refuge, and through elaborate circumstances came to see that the one they ran to for help was none other than the brother they sold.
In a tear-filled reunion, Joseph makes it clear that God was in control of all things and even worked through their sinful choices to provide for their blessing, provision, and protection. God worked everything together to make sure His promise and plan would be fulfilled.
When we see how God was acting in the life of Joseph, how are we encouraged to face our own suffering?
Behold, the Lamb of God! 