Tables Turned

“. . . ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good. . .” (Genesis 50:20)

What happened to Joseph was unfair. He had no say in why he was born so late in life. It wasn’t his fault that his father, Jacob, was tricked by his father-in-law into marrying the sister of the woman he loved. Was it his fault that his father had to work fourteen years for Rachel, the sister he thought he had married? No, it was not. Nor was it his fault that his father’s first wife, Leah, was blessed to have many sons—his brothers, while his mother, Rachel, stayed barren for so many years. It was not his fault that once Jacob’s beloved Rachel gave birth to a son, that he would become the favored son of his father. Joseph had no control over any of this, yet his brothers were jealous of him.

By the time Joseph was seventeen years old, his brothers had envied him so much that they schemed to rid the family of this “favorite” son. Once they set their plan in motion, there was no turning back. They took Joseph’s coat of many colors and sold Joseph as a slave to a traveling caravan; they would never have to look at him again. The brothers dipped the undeniable coat in goat’s blood, went home, and let their father think his Joseph had been torn to pieces by a wild animal (37:33). The news not only broke their father’s heart but his spirit as well.

Through all these unfair events in Joseph’s life that catapulted him into another country, Scripture does not record he ever complained or blamed God. Even when Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him and was imprisoned for two years (37:7–20), he stayed faithful to God; he was a young man of great integrity with high morals. But the “tables turned” when Pharaoh’s advisors could not interpret his disturbing dream. God intervened. The king summoned Joseph from the dungeon (41:14), and God gave him insight into the meaning of his dream. Pharaoh was pleased with Joseph and placed him second in command over his kingdom to handle the matter. Because Joseph was faithful in God’s divine appointment, he saved multitudes from a severe famine.

By God’s direction, Joseph stored surplus food during the seven years of abundance in preparation for the seven-year famine that would follow. And just as Pharaoh’s dream predicted, famine hit hard everywhere except the land of Egypt because Joseph heeded God’s instructions. Everyone came to Egypt for food. Everyone, including his brothers.

Standing before the one in charge of dispensing food, the brothers did not recognize Joseph. Why? He was now forty years old, not a slave, but a commander of Pharaoh’s kingdom; his clothing and appearance were that of an Egyptian. But Joseph recognized them. After a series of events, Joseph revealed himself as the brother they sold, and they were afraid of receiving what they deserved. But instead of retaliation, he extended mercy and embraced them. Joseph sent for his family and was soon gloriously reunited with his father, siblings, and extended family to care for them.

Joseph endured a season of famine long before there was a food shortage in the land. Although poorly and wrongfully treated, he could lovingly face his brothers with forgiveness and tell them though they intended evil, God used the events to save many people from perishing. He understood that God was in control of each unfair situation he endured and placed him where needed at just the right time.

Bad things happen to good people. Evils will corrupt this world until God brings heaven down and establishes His eternal reign here on Earth. Until then, live through your life’s dry seasons as Joseph: faithful, with great integrity and high morals, trusting that all things work together for good to those who love and obey God (Romans 8:28).