“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” Genesis 50:20

This statement by Joseph to his brothers is remarkable for several reasons. For one, it reflects an extraordinary measure of grace and forgiveness. But, secondly, it had great significance for the people of Israel at the time the book of Genesis was written. Moses was the human author of Genesis, and he had been used of God to lead his people out of Egyptian captivity after more than 400 years. Their captivity had begun some time after the death of Joseph, as we read about in Exodus 1:8 “Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” Joseph’s statement to his brothers must have seemed a cruel irony to the recently-liberated Israelites in light of their sufferings.

How do we qualify seeming evil and wrong done to us? As has been said, setbacks are often stepping stones. Joseph’s life is a dramatic example: literally sold out by his brothers to a life of slavery, he faced immense hardship and likely an early death. Instead, he was elevated to high authority over his master’s estate. But, a false accusation by his master’s wife consigned him to years of imprisonment. But even then he was elevated to a position of authority, only to be unfairly forgotten after interpreting the dream of a servant of Pharaoh. Ultimately, he is remembered and summoned to interpret a prophetic dream of Pharaoh, resulting in being elevated to the second highest position in the Egyptian government.

The saying goes that hindsight is 20/20. As we reflect back on key moments in our lives, we see certain decisions with greater clarity. Had we known then what we know now we might have acted differently. But, what if God’s unseen hand guided in choices and decisions made? We are certainly prone to mistakes and missteps, but we serve a God who weaves all things in the fabric of our lives for the good: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28.

As we consider the regrettable events of our lives, we can lament losses or we can consider the higher purpose in these things. These seeming setbacks may well have placed us in just the right position for God’s greatest work and effectiveness in and through us. We just might discover, as Joseph did, that “God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”