The closing chapters of Genesis is a closing of the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the three Patriarchs. Jacob has been given the delight of finding out Joseph is really alive, and has met his children whom he takes to be his own. His entire family has been provided for during the time of famine. He blessed each one of his sons. Then he breathed his last and was buried back in the Promised Land. But as with all the narratives of the Bible, much theology is taught in these chapters, and one of the more key insights of Scripture is found in the last chapter.
Now that Jacob has passed away, Joseph’s brothers reasoned that he would now take revenge on them for their treacherous act. So they approach Joseph and beg forgiveness for their sin. And sin it surely was! How vile an act to lie about your brother’s death, sell him to slavery, and have no idea what would become of him or happen to him! They sinned horribly against their brother!
But Joseph and his brothers were not the only actors in this drama, as Joseph now well knows. So he replies to his brothers in one of the most theologically informed, practically rich statements of the Bible, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good...” (Gen 50:20). Did you catch that? God takes evil, horrible evil, and uses it in his divine plan to bring about the good he has designed! Know dear friend that this is not a one-time act of God, but rather a universal truth. God works this way, and he works this way in your life too. That does not negate the responsibility of your offenders. It only derails the end for which they do you harm! God turns it somehow ultimately and finally for good!
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