The truth is out! Finally, assured of their honour and their change of heart, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers amid his own tears of joy.

What an unlikely ending to such a sour beginning. Yet Joseph makes it clear that everything that has happened has been in God’s hands. It was God who caused him to be sent to Egypt, and God who raised him to such a high position, precisely so that, at the right time, he could offer sanctuary to his family during this terrible famine so that the descendants of Abraham would be protected from the devastation and God’s promises fulfilled.

Joseph’s perspective on events is the heart of this long tale. The human beings involved have been fallible, false, jealous, violent, deceitful and sinful, yet God, in his sovereignty, has worked through them to achieve the preservation of Israel. God’s purposes are fulfilled.

Scripture tells us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:3). Abraham was called according to God’s purpose, and all of his descendants were part of that purpose. God worked, in all things, for the good of his people. Although Jacob and his sons did not always feel good, or have good experiences every moment of every day, nonetheless, God was still working for their good.

Here, after Joseph’s slavery and imprisonment, and after the brothers’ sin and guilt and fear, we have a wonderful moment of ‘goodness’. But Joseph makes it clear that God has been good throughout all the events, even if the events themselves were not good.

If you are among those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose, you can rest assured that God is working for your good. This does not mean that every day will be a bed of roses, but God’s goodness never fails.

Let us, like the Psalmist confidently declare: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13)

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH