Daily EncouragementSample

In these words to his brothers, Joseph’s character is seen in its noblest light. To a certain extent we may apply to him the words written about a greater Person of whom he is a worthy type: “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

There is no ignoring of evil, no toning down of wickedness, no fear of man in what Joseph says here: “You intended to harm me.” There is a glad recognition of God’s good purpose for the salvation of many being accomplished through these very evil intentions. There is no mention of personal suffering, no note of recrimination, no seeking for revenge. Those who take Joseph’s line with people who seek to harm them are wise.

The story of Joseph and his brothers helps us to understand what Jesus went through on the cross for us: “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross” (Acts 2:23). And that “set purpose” was the world’s salvation. “But God intended it for good.” To understand this is to forget personal injuries, to forgive those with evil intentions and to be filled with hope.