Sovereignty and Joseph's life

 I think one of the most powerful stories in the Old Testament is Joseph’s life story.  He was a favored son of his father, Jacob.  But his jealous brothers sold him into slavery, and the slave traders took him far away from his native land, into Egypt. There he eventually, after several trials, became a ruler. You can read his story in Genesis, chapters 37-50.

I see God’s sovereignty in Joseph’s life.  Before being sold by his bothers, Joseph share 2 dreams which showed he would be a ruler over his family.  I have heard many teachers say that, if Joseph hadn’t been so proud and shared his dreams with his brothers, they wouldn’t have hated him and sold him into slavery.  These teachers use Joseph’s example as a reason to “keep things to yourself.”  Quite the contrary, God always sends His word out ahead of what He does. 

When Joseph’s brothers met him as a ruler of Egypt many years later, Joseph revealed himself to them.  He was in fulfillment of the very dream he had spoken of to them.  They saw that the words their brother had spoken to shouldn’t have been despised because God had intended to fulfill them.

God shares His word with us so that we can know Him and His ways.  The brothers learned that God had chosen Joseph as ruler over them, just like He showed in the dreams.  In retrospect, they could see that God chose Joseph long before he ever arrived in Egypt.

There is another reason I see God’s sovereignty in the story about Joseph.  He shared with his brothers that what they had intended as evil (selling him to slave traders), God had worked as good.  “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen 50:20).  Not only did God redeem Joseph’s life from trials, but by placing him in his destiny, God was able to save many others.

It is powerful to see God’s sovereignty.  That’s what makes Joseph’s story so great. His journey to his destination began when he shared his God-given dreams.  And God was faithful to fulfill the dreams and words He gave.  We should share God’s words with others also, trusting God to bring them to pass.  Our dreams and words may seem foolish, but though our trials be severe, God will remain faithful, always (Rom 3:3).  And perhaps, like Joseph, we will save many.  Amen.