Judah's selfless plea to be enslaved in place of his younger brother was the catalyst which drove Joseph to reveal himself. He could take it no more... I am Joseph!
Can you imagine the thoughts racing through the minds of the ten who sold him into slavery? The ones who lied to their father about Joseph being killed by wild animals? ...they were dismayed at his presence.
They just thought they were in trouble before. Now the brother they abused is in a position to have them all executed. But Joseph calls them near... and reveals an incredible truth...
"I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. ..."
Genesis 45:4-8 ESV (emphasis mine)
God is sovereign in ALL things. Joseph at this point did not hold a grudge against his brothers, but saw the larger picture of God's sovereignty at work for the good of His people and for the preservation of life.
Consider: You are where you are today, because God sent you "here."
No matter what state your life is in. This is the place God has sent you. In Joseph's darkest days, God had a plan to lift him up. And not only him but his entire family.
Whether you are facing a time of prosperity and joy, or poverty and darkness, God sent you here. If we embrace God's sovereignty in our lives as Joseph did, remaining faithful even when we have been treated unjustly, trusting He has a purpose and plan in whatever He allows, we will one day (maybe not in our earthly life) see Him lift us up.
The incredible grace of God's sovereignty shines bright in the lives of his brothers, too. God used their sin to save them. He sent them to a place of humility, where they were lifted by His grace. Undeserved salvation through the brother they wanted to kill.
In our sin. In our persecution. God sends us to a place where His Son, whom we sent to the cross, lifts us up. Embracing His sovereignty and purpose in our lives, enables us to live like Joseph, in hopeful faithfulness and grace.
Lord, teach me to embrace Your sovereignty, power, and purpose in my life.
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