February 13, 2021
And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45:5
There are a couple of interesting takeaways from this verse. First, there is a tone of concern for his brothers who had persecuted him. When Joseph realized that his brothers were truly sorry for having sold him into slavery, he was quick to forgive. Second, Joseph had matured in his faith during his time of imprisonment. Rather than harboring resentment for all the unfair treatment he had encountered, he gained perspective and realized God had not abandoned him and had indeed guided him through the lows and highs to this pinnacle of success in order to preserve life—not as a compensation for all the hardship Joseph had endured, but for the benefit of others.
Joseph’s life foreshadows that of the mission of Christ as well as we who are Jesus’ disciples. God has sent us into a famished world to preserve the lives of others with our Gospel of hope.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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