He was hated and despised by those who should have loved him most.
His own brothers desired to be rid of him. They wanted to kill him.
To pretend he didn't even exist.
Their hate was so deep, they put him down in a pit.
They would have left him to die, but it seemed better to at least make a profit.
They sold him...into slavery. Their own brother...so despised and hated.
He was only seventeen.
It wasn't easy for their brother after that. Imagine the emotions he experienced...
Desperately clinging to his God, he would be faithful...
He would not give in to the advances of an attractive, adulterous woman.
He would not do it and sin against his God. Such integrity! Even in dark times.
Humiliated she turned the tables and he received a punishment he did not deserve.
He was imprisoned, UNJUSTLY.
I wonder how many times his mind went back to the day when they put him down in that pit...
Was God still in control through all this??
Years were spent in a foreign land, away from all he had ever known...he may have been tempted to think that all was lost, that God had forgotten about him...but no, he understood that God was working. Even through all the pain, anguish and sorrow, God was still working.
God gave Joseph wisdom and understanding to know the meaning of the dreams of a powerful Egyptian ruler. Only God could do that.
God exalted Joseph to a position of authority and honor. Only God could do that.
And after all that Joseph had been through, God gave him the grace to see a clear picture of his mighty work in his life.
It is one of the most beautiful forgiveness stories written by the "Author and Finisher" of Joseph's faith.
We reach the climax of the story, and surely the emotions being experienced were beyond description...
As Joseph's brothers thought for sure that he would utterly hate them for all they had done to him...
As Joseph's brothers thought for certain that he would pay them back for the evil things they had done...
But Joseph does what only God can help us do.
He forgives. He completely forgives. For all of it.
God help us to forgive like that.
And to understand, like Joseph did, that God is working out his sovereign plan in our lives and it is for our good.
Through deep pain and uncertainty, He is still on his throne.
Just as he was when Joseph's brothers threw him into a pit so long ago...
[ You can find this account in the book of Genesis, starting in chapter 37 and ending in chapter 50]
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