Joseph in Egypt
Genesis 45:1-28
(Joseph forgives his brothers)
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, 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. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.[a]
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
JEREMIAH 29:11
The Lord was with Joseph and although he found himself in some very difficult situations, he never stopped honoring and obeying God.
As a result, God gave Joseph great power and responsibility.
The people respected Joseph for his integrity.
Like Joseph, we cannot always recognize God's purpose when we go through hardships and trials.
However, it is a good idea to follow Joseph’s example. We can stand firm during these times, knowing that in Christ, we have a purpose.
Jesus not only suffered some of the same things we do, He even gave up his life on the cross.
He died so we could be forgiven and saved from the worst famine of all, eternal death.
When we forgive, our heavenly Father forgives us.
MEMORY VERSE
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Matthew 6:14 NIV