Revelation

Dear Christa—

From Genesis to Now: Genesis 45

Revelation

What we send around does seem to come back around eventually—maybe even 20 years later.

When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, I doubt that they’re amazed about Joseph’s childhood dreams and that they’d already come true. What they’re probably thinking is that they are all truly toast. It isn’t as if Joseph has been particularly kind to them so far. Now, the money and the cup in the sacks all make sense to them, and it isn’t a lit surprising that they’re petrified.

Then, notice Joseph’s words. “And do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”

Here, all these years later Joseph realizes God’s purpose. Sometimes circumstances take us places we don not want to go. Sometimes our own choices and other’s choices toward us can be so foolish, so selfish. Yet, in a crazy roundabout way, they serve to sanctify us in the pain. They press us into trusting God like nothing else would have, and in the end we often find understanding, acceptance, and even gratefulness.

So, Joseph he tells his brothers, “God sent me here.” There is purpose in every dark event, and no matter what we or others have done, there is no way we an mess up God’s will. God is God and He will have his way, and many lives will be saved.

—the parishioner who doesn’t do anything