Genesis 45

Can you imagine being one of Joseph's brothers on the day that Joseph revealed his identity? I am sure they were afraid that payback was coming. In fact, the way Jospeh had treated them recently may have seemed to them like the payback had begun.

What God did was take all the bad circumstances and problems that Joseph had faced and used them to get Joseph to the right place at the right time to save Israel from a famine as well as Egypt. Does this mean that the brothers get a pass for their actions? While it is true that God used it for His purposes, it does not excuse their behavior. Just as someone must betray Jesus to fulfill prophecy, it was Judas' on choices and desires that led him to be the fulfilment of the prophecy.

Joseph was able to forgive his brothers because he saw the bigger purpose in his life comes from God. God is the one who gives us purpose, meaning, and direction in our lives as well. What a wonderful thing to know that the victim of a terrible treatment by his brothers would go on to be the victor who would be just behind the Pharaoh in power. He would use that power and position to save those who made a victim of a terrible plot. God can always twist the plot and use His power to put us in the right place and the right time. What was meant for evil, God used for good. He still does today.