The Good Eye – Joseph and His Brothers
The Good Eye – Joseph and His Brothers.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” (Genesis 45:8).
Among all the shining stars of grace in the sky of Scripture, once in a while we read about an example of amazing generosity so bright the reader almost has to turn his eyes away. It would be like trying to stare into the sun. One such moment of blinding grace was in Genesis 45, and the hero with the Good Eye is Joseph. He showed uncommon generosity to his undeserving brothers, and it was so contrary to what one expects to read, it was such a prime example of pure goodness, that the reader simply has to take it in. It is too important of a moment to gloss over it. Joseph revealed the Jesus way to handle misfortune and power before the world had ever seen Jesus.
Joseph’s life journey had been unpredictable. From being the spoiled favorite of his father Jacob, to the rejected brother stewing in a pit. From being an immature dreamer to actually having those dreams fulfilled. From being sold into slavery by a ruthless band of brothers to becoming the Prime Minister of Egypt. During a time of extreme famine, Joseph overlooked the callous sins done against him and offered to his brothers historic and profound words of forgiveness.
Joseph himself said it best. “Joseph couldn’t hold himself in any longer, keeping up a front before all his attendants. He cried out, ‘Leave! Clear out – everyone leave!” So there was no one with Joseph when he identified himself to his brothers. But his sobbing was so violent that the Egyptians couldn’t help but hear him… ‘Come closer to me,’ Joseph said to his brothers. They came closer. ‘I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don’t feel badly, don’t blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives… God sent me on ahead of you to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance. So you see, it wasn’t you who sent me here but God.” (Genesis 45:4-8).
As Joseph said to his fearful brothers later after Jacob died, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. So don’t be afraid. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.’ He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.” (Genesis 50:19-21). And with those words, Joseph made good on his promise and provided a fruitful piece of property in Egypt, the land of Goshen. The extended family of Joseph, including his 130-year-old father Jacob, could now live in peace with a self-sustaining livelihood that would allow them to flourish. This is the beginning of what would become the nation of Israel.
Oh, for the good eyes of Joseph as he showered his brothers with grace after being so horribly wronged by them. Oh for the faith of Joseph who could see beyond the ill treatment and believe that God’s hand was involved right from the start. Oh to be this magnanimous to those who do us wrong. This is quite the redemption story. We can believe that God can take the worst of situations and somehow redeem it into something good and glorious. God is all about redemption, about taking the bad and making the good come out of it. This story of Joseph and his brothers might be blinding in its grace, but not so bright that it would blind us to this wonderful truth.