Joseph is betrayed and sold by his own jealous brothers into the hands of foreigners. Genesis 37
Joseph keeps his Integrity, but is treated as guilty. Genesis 39
Joseph is imprisoned and forgotten for many years. Genesis 39-40
Joseph interprets the dream of Pharaoh and gives him wise counsel.
… “let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.” Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. Genesis 41:35-36, 57 ESV
Joseph’s brothers come from Israel for food.
“And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God…” Genesis 45:7-8 ESV
When their father dies, Joseph’s brothers fear he will take revenge.
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:15, 19-20 ESV
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 ESV
“In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning…” –Viktor Frankl
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good… Romans 8:28 ESV
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71 ESV
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17 NIV
“… I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…” Isaiah 49:15-16 ESV
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth… And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:1, 4 KJV
Take a moment to still yourself before God. Do you find yourself currently in a season of suffering? Bring your suffering, your pain, and your circumstances before God, laying them before him. Don’t be afraid to be real with your emotions and frustrations. Ask God to enter in and to reveal his presence with you. Next, read Psalm 22; like the ending of the Psalm, direct your thoughts on the promises of God, and on his truths in the midst of hardship. Ask God for grace as you wrestle with the contrasts, and for grace as you seek him in the midst of your pain and suffering. Thank him for his immense love for you, and for the time together. Don’t be afraid to ask for reminders of his love for you throughout the upcoming week, then take note of the way he answers you.