Lemonade: Mercy


Joseph's story, told in the latter chapters of Genesis, is a remarkable narrative of faith and perseverance.  He overcomes family dysfunction, injustice, and more to become second only to Pharaoh.

But his story is more than a lesson in character.  It tells how God worked him to save Israel, and ultimately, the world.

The key passage in his story is Genesis 45:5-8.  There, he tells his brothers not to beat themselves up about what they did to him.  God had worked through it all to accomplish a great deliverance.  Had they not sold him into slavery, he wouldn't have been in Egypt, and they would have starved to death. 

This part of the story prompts a debate about whether God sends bad things in our lives or he creates good in the bad things in our lives through our faith.  I tend to believe the latter, drawing on Romans 8:28.  God works all things to the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose.

Beyond the story of saving Israel, there's a greater story here.  That's the story of God's plan to save the world.  If Joseph hadn't been sold to Egypt and shown faith, Jacob and his boys would have died, there would have been no Israel, and there would have been no Christ.  Everyone in Joseph's story plays a part in this plan.

This means God can work through our pain as we live as Christ followers in this world.  He's working out his plans through us in ways greater than we can imagine!

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