THE POWER OF REVELATION 4
“You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of many people, which is being done.”
These are the words of Joseph. When Joseph’s brothers believed he would still be resentful to them, he responded with love. If anyone had a reason to be bitter, it was Joseph. As a teenager, he was sold by his brothers into a life of slavery. When he was finally gaining favor with his master, the wife couldn’t keep her eyes off Joseph. He was resolute in his decision to reject her sexual advances. Surely Joseph was doing the right thing in keeping himself sexually pure. What was his reward? He found himself in prison thanks to Mrs. Portiphar’s acting skills.
While in prison, he helped the king’s butler to interpret his dream. Just as Joseph prophesied, the butler was released and given his old position in the king’s palace. Joseph pleaded with him to put in a good word for him with the king to secure his release. However, the butler forgot all about him. Favor refused to smile at him until two years later when Pharaoh had a dream. The butler remembered how Joseph had rightly interpreted his dream. That was the turning point for Joseph. He was able to rightly discern the message behind Pharaoh’s dream. He eventually became the second in command in the whole of Egypt.
I’m sure Joseph was tempted to be bitter against his brothers, Mrs. Portiphar and the butler. He was human. Perhaps he thought of how he could repay those who had caused him pain. But he was able to let go. How? He knew that everything was working for his good.
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