Title: Seeing God in Everything

Title: Seeing God in everything.

Text: Genesis 50:20

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[a] should be kept alive, as they are today. ESV

Quote:Nothing else but this seeing God in everything will make us loving and patient with those who annoy and trouble us. They will be to us then only the instruments for accomplishing His tender and wise purposes towards us, and we shall even find ourselves at last inwardly thanking them for the blessings they bring us.

... Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911), Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life

Comment: Genesis 50:18-21

Joseph didn't minimize their sins, for he said, "You intended to harm me" (Gen 50:20). He knew that there had been evil in their hearts, but he also knew that God had over-ruled their evil deeds to accomplish His good purposes. This reminds us of what happened on the cross. Peter said, "Him [Jesus], being delivered by the determined counsel and fore-knowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up" (Acts 2:23-24, NKJV). Out of the greatest sin ever committed by humankind, God brought the greatest blessing that ever came to humankind.

Joseph not only forgave his brothers, but he also assured them of his constant care. "I will nourish you, and your little ones" (Gen 50:21, KJV). He gave them homes to live in, work to do, food to eat, and provision for their needs. Once again, we see here a picture of our Savior, who promises never to leave us or forsake us (Matt 28:20; John 6:37; 10:27-29; Heb 13:5-6) and to meet our every need (Rom 8:32; Phil 4:19).

For seventeen years Joseph's brothers lived under a cloud of fear and apprehension all because they didn't really trust him. As long as their father was alive, they trusted in human ties to protect them, but when Jacob died, their only defense was gone. Had they believed Joseph, they could have enjoyed those years with him and their father, and there wouldn't have been clouds of fear to rob them of joy.