Have you ever heard the expression hindsight is 20/20?  It is sometimes more clear to look back on situations and see clearly what God was accomplishing than you can see in the midst of the situation.  The hardships in Joseph’s life God used for good.  Things don’t get any easier for Israel after Joseph dies either.  God ultimately continues to use difficult situations to bring about His plan and ultimate good.  Let’s look together at the end of Joseph’s story found in Genesis 50.

 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. 22 Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years 23 and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees. 24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” 25 And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”26 So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.

Israel is about to go through another season of difficult times until God raises up another person to follow Him and lead Israel away from Egypt, Moses.  It is amazing to look back and see all of the times that God provided rescue for His people.  It is also interesting to see all of the difficult times along the way when people could have lost faith.  Abraham had a few crisis of faith.  Joseph had many opportunities he could have stumbled along the way.  Moses will face many more challenges.  Yet throughout all of this God continues to faithfully bring His people through.  He tells us in the word that He does the same for us.  Sometimes it takes hindsight to clearly see His hand at work but know that He loves you.  He is with you and He is at work in your life.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave