When Life Doesn't Make Sense

If you’re anything like me, no matter what the Bible reading plan says, no matter how many times I’ve read it, once I start reading the story of Joseph, I can’t stop until I get to the end! It’s an incredible saga filled with vivid dreams, heart-breaking betrayal, slander, cover-ups, temptation, jail time, famine,  intrigue, family reunions, and more. Not only is this an exciting (and true) story, there is SOOO much encouragement in these chapters – encouragement I need and you need when life doesn’t make sense and we can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.  The sovereignty of God - His rule, reign, and purpose - shines at every turn.

We’re reminded often of God’s presence.  From Potiphar’s house to prison, “the Lord was with Joseph” (39:2, 21, 23).  Joseph’s father Jacob calls God his Shepherd who has been with him all the days of his life (48:15).  On his deathbed, Jacob assures his son, “Even though I’m about to die, God will always be with you” (48:21). Through every high and every low Joseph encounters, the Mighty One, the Good Shepherd, the Rock of Israel (49:24-25) helps, guides, provides, and abundantly blesses Joseph. 

Over and over, we see evidences of God’s power. God causes Joseph to prosper (39:2). God gives him success in everything he does (39:3 & 23). God reveals the meaning of the cupbearer, the baker, and Potiphar’s dreams….and Joseph gives the credit where it is due! In 40:8, he says, “Interpretations belong to God!” and later to Pharaoh “I cannot do it (explain what your dreams mean) but God will…” (40:16).  Then in chapter 45, he tells his brothers three times, “No, you’re not the ones who sent me to Egypt – it was God!”  Joseph, in a stunning scene, refuses to fault his brothers and puts the spotlight on God.

It’s clear that God’s plans will be accomplished. His purposes cannot be thwarted, and Joseph recognizes that.  After explaining Pharaoh’s dreams (7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine), he tells him, “The matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon” (41:32).  Later, after making himself known to his brothers, he assures them, “God sent me to Egypt to save lives!”  By elevating Joseph to second in command of all Egypt, giving him wisdom to store grain during the 7 years of plenty, God uses Joseph to save many lives, including the lives of the very brothers who betrayed him.  We see evil intentions in the hearts of the brothers, we see it in people around us, and we see it in our own hearts.  But God.  He rules over the affairs of men, and He overrules our sinful, selfish words and actions intended to harm others.  He accomplishes good in spite of and through it all.

Most importantly, as amazing as the story of Joseph is, the greatest thing about it is that Joseph points us to Jesus. In other words, Jesus is the true and better Joseph.

• Like Joseph, Jesus is betrayed by His own people, the Jews. He was sold for silver.  He was falsely accused. (Matthew 26-27)

• Joseph resists the advances of Potiphar’s wife but Jesus resists every temptation and lives perfectly without sin.  (Hebrews 4:15)

• Joseph provided grain, saving many from physical death. Jesus, the Bread of Life, saves from spiritual death all who come to Him in repentance and faith. (John 6)

• He bestows mercy on us, as Joseph did for his undeserving brothers, harboring no ill will for their grievous offenses. Jesus casts our sins as far as the east is from the west, releasing us from the punishment we rightfully deserve. (Psalm 103:10-14)

• In fulfillment of Joseph’s dreams, his brothers bow before him, and one day, we all will bow to Jesus, the eternal King. (Philippians 2)

• As God shepherded Joseph – from the pit to the prison to the palace - likewise, Jesus is our Shepherd who leads, restores, comforts, lifts up, and never leaves us. (Psalm 23)

  
  

In the deepest pit and darkest valley, in the highs and lows, when we can’t see how our story ends, we can cling to our good, wise, powerful, faithful, ever-present, gracious, trustworthy God.