Joseph and the Promise of Mercy
For Meditation
Joseph is a huge hero. The part of the story that we remember is how he overcomes many adversities with exemplary character and saves the entire world from famine – Joseph the hero. Yet, his story is much more complex. Reading the story carefully we see God orchestrating His plan of mercy and grace. God reveals part of his plan early in Joseph’s life in two dreams predicting his destiny to be leader over everyone. The journey to the fulfillment of those dreams is one of transformation. God turns a proud tattletale who alienates his brothers to the point that they want to kill him into a leader that people want to follow.
God’s plan uses many awful and terrible events to reshape Joseph – taking him into slavery in a foreign land, apart from anyone he knew. Later, he is unjustly imprisoned and forgotten by those he had helped. God is changing Joseph’s character and preparing him for a part in God’s plan to save the world from death.
In preparation for Sunday, I encourage you to read the full story of Joseph in Chapters 37-50. Observe how God brings about this change in Joseph and how he prepares and places him in the role God chose him to play. Put yourself in his shoes and you will see how amazing God’s mercy is and how powerful He is to transform.
How would you have handled the adversity he went through? How did Joseph not end up bitter with the world or vindictive with his family? What can you glean from this story about the way God works in our lives to bring about positive growth in trust in Him and in our character?
Scripture Reading | Genesis 32:22–32
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.