Their trusting Joseph’s integrity enough to confide their dreams in him was part of God’s plan (Genesis 40.8–20″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 40:8–20).
Joseph discerning the meaning of their dreams was part of God’s plan (Genesis 40.12–13″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 40:12–13, Genesis 40.18–19″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>18–19).
The Egyptian judicial processes that exonerated the cupbearer and condemned the baker were part of God’s plan (Genesis 40.20–22″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 40:20–22).
The cupbearer failing to remember Joseph for two years was part of God’s plan (Genesis 41.23–42.1″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 41:23–42:1).
The timing of Pharaoh’s dreams was part of God’s plan (Genesis 41.1–7″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 41:1–7).
The inability of Pharaoh’s counselors to discern his dreams was part of God’s plan (Genesis 41:8).
The cupbearer remembering Joseph and having the courage to remind Pharaoh of a potentially suspicious event was part of God’s plan (Genesis 41.9–13″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 41:9–13).
Pharaoh’s being desperate enough to listen to a Hebrew prisoner was part of God’s plan (Genesis 41.14–15″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 41:14–15).
Joseph having discernment of Pharaoh’s dreams was part of God’s plan (Genesis 41.25–36″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 41:25–36).
The miraculous amount of immediate trust that Pharaoh placed in Joseph’s interpretation and counsel was part of God’s plan (Genesis 41.37–40″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 41:37–40).
Joseph being given Asenath (an Egyptian) for a wife was part of God’s plan (Genesis 41:45).
Joseph’s two sons by Asenath, Manasseh and Ephraim, were part of God’s plan (Genesis 41.50–52″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 41:50–52, Genesis 48.5″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>48:5).
The complex confluence of natural phenomena that caused the extraordinarily fruitful years followed by the extraordinarily desolate years, with all the resulting human prosperity and suffering, and the consolidation of Egyptian wealth and power in Pharaoh’s hands, were part of God’s plan (Genesis 41.53–57″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 41:53–57; Genesis 47.13–26″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>47:13–26).
The threat of starvation that caused terrible fear and moved Jacob to send his sons to Egypt for grain was part of God’s plan (Genesis 42.1–2″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 42:1–2).
The brothers’ safe journey to Egypt and Benjamin’s non-participation was part of God’s plan (Genesis 42.3–4″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 42:3–4).
The brothers’ bowing to Joseph in unwitting fulfillment of the dreams they hated was part of God’s plan (Genesis 42:6).
Joseph’s whole scheme to test his brothers was part of God’s plan (Genesis 42.9–44.34″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 42:9–44:34).
Simeon’s being chosen to remain in Egypt was part of God’s plan (Genesis 42:24).
The relentless threat of starvation that prompted Judah to make his personal guarantee of Benjamin’s safe return and forced Jacob to finally allow Benjamin go to Egypt was part of God’s plan (Genesis 43.8–14″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 43:8–14).
The success with which Joseph was able to continue to conceal his identity and pull off the framing of Benjamin for thievery and all the anguish the brothers experienced as a result was part of God’s plan (Genesis 43.15–44.17″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 43:15–44:17).
Judah’s willingness to exchange his life for Benjamin’s out of love for his father, and thus initiating his own sale into slavery like he initiated Joseph’s sale into slavery, was part of God’s plan (Genesis 44.18–34″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 44:18–34).
Joseph’s timing in revealing himself to his brothers was part of God’s plan (Genesis 45.1–14″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 45:1–14).
Jacob being told by his sons of Joseph’s survival and position in Egypt (and the exposure of his sons’ 20-plus-year deceit with all the accompanying pain) was part of God’s plan (Genesis 45.25–28″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 45:25–28).
God directing Jacob to move to Egypt was (obviously) part of God’s plan (Genesis 46.2–4″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 46:2–4).
The relocation of the entire clan of Israel to Egypt, where they would reside and grow for 430 years and eventually become horribly enslaved, thus fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 15.13–14″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 15:13–14, was part of God’s plan (Genesis 46.5–47.12″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Genesis 46:5–47:12).
If we wished, there are more sightings we could include from this drive. But these give us a lot to chew on.
Joseph’s Life and Yours
Joseph had a unique role to play in redemptive history. But God’s intricate involvement in Joseph’s life is not unique from yours. One of the many reasons God gives us a close-up of Joseph’s life is to show us how active he is, how he never leaves us or forsakes us all along the way, in both the good and the evil things we experience (Hebrews 13:5).
Joseph knew God’s nearness when he woke from his prophetic dreams and probably when he experienced remarkable favor. But how near did God feel to Joseph in the pit of his brothers’ betrayal, or shackled in the Ishmaelite caravan, or when falsely accused of attempted rape, or stuck for years in the king’s prison).
Yes, God was even working the evil, heinous things people did to Joseph for good. We can say that because that’s precisely what Joseph himself said to his brothers about their betrayal of him: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20).
The detailed narrative of Joseph’s life, among many other things, is a loving letter from your Good Shepherd (John 10:11).
