JOB & JOSEPH, Part 1e

Faithful in Trials

From last week: Throughout all of this Joseph chooses to trust God. He recognizes Gods providence and sovereignty in his situation. Never once does he curse God. Instead he puts his faith and trust in him knowing His ways are best, His ways are higher. 

In Genesis chapter 42 Joseph is reunited with his brothers. After testing his brothers and seeing that they have changed he finally reveals himself to them in Genesis 45:3. I love how this plays out: “Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still living? But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.’”

Joseph, in his free will, has a choice to make. How is he going to treat his brothers after all they have done and all he has gone through?

“Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come close to me… I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you… But God sent me ahead of you to preserve a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.‘” (Genesis 45:4-18)

He reassures them again in 50:19-20, saying:

“Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Joseph knew and understood God’s sovereignty and providence. He trusted God no matter what he went through and in the end God worked everything out for His glory and Josephs faithfulness to the Lord was blessed.

Joseph was given the worst circumstances and yet received many blessings in the end. He showed what it meant in Proverbs 3:5-6 when it says to

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways take notice of Him…” 

He faithfully trusted God and wisely sought the wisdom of His direction and providence. Because of this the end of verse 6 says “He will make your paths straight.” The Lord blessed Joseph’s faithfulness and trust in Him by making him second greatest to Pharaoh. 

If we trust the Lord and seek His will through our hard times, He will lead us out of our valley and into His blessings.

And let me tell you His blessings are beyond our comprehension! But what about Job? 

Stay tuned for next week…and Part 2a.

[Past episodes: Part 1a; Part 1b; Part 1c; Part 1d]