"Come closer to me," he told his brothers.
When they had done so, he said:
"I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into Egypt.
They thought he was dead. Now he is alive with blessings for them which he would not have had if he hadn't gone through everything he suffered. Does this sound familiar? God is establishing the pattern of allowing evil so that a greater good may come.
But now do not be distressed,
and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here.
It was really for the sake of saving lives
that God sent me here ahead of you.
How easily Joseph seems to say that. We probably wouldn't be so quick to say it. We wouldn't be so quick to forgive people who sold us off into slavery. The secret to Joseph doing so is precisely that he recognizes God's plan even in his hardship and suffering. When nothing goes according to plan and we suffer we do well to remember the lesson of Joseph. If we realize that God is at work even in the difficult times we gain a perspective that can give us peace and ensure that we do not become embittered.
We need to allow God to surprise us. He gives Joseph back to his brothers. He raises Jesus from the dead. Just when sin and suffering seem to have the final say God does something we don't expect. If we are open to such surprises we will be open to the blessings that come with them.
The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse the lepers, drive out demons.
We are able to receive the one the LORD sends to give us his word. His peace comes upon us and rests on us. All of this can be ours provided we don't get so involved in our own problems that we don't see God coming to us and revealing himself to us. Look up! Look out! Be attentive. The day of our salvation is at hand! The king who was slain now reigns on high!
The king sent and released him,
the ruler of the peoples set him free.
He made him lord of his house
and ruler of all his possessions.
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