Day 3--July 3, 2026--"But God.."

Genesis 37:17-28; Genesis 45:1-8; Genesis 50:15-21

Hinge Verses: Genesis 45:7 & Genesis 50:20

I think it's a little awkward to say I have a favorite Bible story but, if I had to pick, the story of Joseph would be one of my favorites.  It has key elements of an epic drama--love, jealousy, betrayal, revenge, romance, struggle, forgiveness.  Joseph is the favored child of Jacob and his beloved wife, Rachel, from our story yesterday.  (Day 2)  Jacob had 10 sons before Joseph, yet he couldn't--and didn't even seem to try to--hide his love for this son.  The older brothers realized they didn't measure up, and plotted to kill Joseph.  Instead, they sold him into slavery, telling their father he must've been killed by wild animals.  Joseph ended up in Egypt, where--just like his father in Laban's household--everything he touched turned to success.  He rose to the second in command in all of Egypt, answering only to Pharaoh.  When a famine hit Canaan, where Jacob and his 11 remaining sons lived, the older brothers traveled to Egypt to plead for food.  The narrative is so exciting as Joseph sets up different situations to see if his brothers--who didn't even recognize Joseph--had had a change of heart.  When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, he says "Don't be angry with yourselves for selling me, because it was God's plan to save lives.  Many will perish by famine, BUT GOD sent me ahead to preserve and save your lives by a great deliverance."  (My emphasis and paraphrase.)  He brings the family to him in Egypt for an even greater reunion, and years later, Jacob their father dies.  The brothers are nervous because surely Joseph has been waiting until this day so he can finally get his revenge. So they send word to Joseph that --Surprise--Jacob left instructions that Joseph was actually supposed to forgive them of all their wrongs.  Joseph cries that they still don't fully see the hand of God in bringing them to safety.  So he doubles down with the famous words--"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."  After years in slavery, Joseph is the one who is able to look back over all of the circumstances and see the hand of God over it all.  Joseph so kindly explains to his brothers that a story filled with jealousy, murderous thoughts, lies, guilt, regret pivoted completely on two words--BUT GOD...

Over the span of 1730-1770, the pre-born United States experienced a great awakening --an evangelical movement--that started in Britain and spread to reach Britain's 13 North American colonies.  I can't begin to summarize a decades-long religious movement that was so foundational in just a short blog, so I will directly quote an article I read and I will link the full article at the bottom.  

"The movement produced positive changes in many areas, including the growth of a more personal faith that was applied every day and not just on the Sabbaths. But more importantly, the First Great Awakening undeniably provided the foundation upon which American Independence was later erected. In fact, every grievance raised in the Declaration of Independence had been preached from the American pulpit prior to 1763. Founding Fathers such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin attest to the national unity produced by the Great Awakening, specifically through the influence of the famous “Father Abraham” sermon of George Whitefield. As a result of the Great Awakening, America was no longer 13 jealously-divided nations, but had started becoming 13 individual states within one nation and faith."

12 brothers--riddled with jealousy--brought together by a pivotal movement of a loving, sovereign Father, and many were saved and a remnant of faith was preserved.  13 colonies--jealously divided as well--brought together by a pivotal movement of a loving, sovereign Father, and many were saved and a remnant of Faith was preserved.  We see evil all around us---and most of it is intentional "You MEANT it for evil".  But like Joseph, we can choose to see what God means for good, for the good of those who love Him.  

But God...His Name in verse 50:20 is Elohim, singular yet plural.  One God with many attributes.  Eternal, faithful, good, gracious, holy, just, sovereign, wise....You moved in power then, God move in power now.   You are the same God.  You are the same God.  

The Great Awakening Wikipedia

A blog I wrote about Joseph a few years ago