83. What you meant for evil, God meant for good (Gen 50:15-26)

This is the conclusion of Joseph’s story and the Book of Genesis.

πŸ‘‰ Read Gen 50:15-26

After Jacob’s burial, Joseph’s brothers (               ) to Joseph, “Your (              ) had wanted you to forgive our sins. Now please forgive the sin of the servant of (                 ).” When this (            ) was reported to him, Joseph (            ).

Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. As for you, you meant to (           ) me, but God intended it for a (         ) purpose, so he could preserve the (               ) of many people.”

What was Joseph’s will?

Answers and Meditation

Sent word, father, the God of your father, message, wept

They were slow to believe in forgiveness. As their words of doubt hurt Joseph, our doubt of God’s love will hurt God’s heart.

 

Harm, good, lives.

The book of Genesis starts with the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And the theme of good and evil extends through the whole Pentateuch. In Deuteronomy, Moses tells us to choose good by obeying the Lord. “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” (Deut 30:15-16)

God is so good that He could bring good out of our evil. Do not be anxious to discern which is good or evil in your life. Just choose the Lord God.

The rejection of His chosen people made Christ crucified. And this brought salvation through grace to all nations.

 

Carry my bones up from this place

Joseph died in the land of Egypt with the hope that the Lord would give them the land of Canaan.

Why did Joseph not ask to be buried in Canaan as his father was? His bone was with the Israelites until they came out of the land. Maybe Joseph wanted to stay with the Israelites in Egypt and move out together with them. It is like Jesus who wants to stay with us.

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