Christ Had to Die – Part 17

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Joseph went from a brother with some dreams to a slave, a prisoner, and now to a leader in Egypt. His faith remained resolved despite his circumstances, and the canvas of the story of the Bible glows with magnificent color. This young man has grown into a bastion of inspiration and hope in the face of barbarism, betrayal, and deception. He locks in to God’s promise and does not waver. However, the end of their father’s life has come, and his brothers who sold him to traders into slavery are now concerned that he’ll avenge himself against them. They come to Joseph and throw themselves at his feet and seek his mercy.

Check out the words of Joseph in response to them…


“…Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…”
Genesis 50:19-20


The dysfunction of the chosen family has once again been used by God for good. Incredible. There is hope for a broken humanity. There is hope.

And so, the family of Abraham…“lived in the land of Egypt, in Goshen, and they acquired property in it and were fruitful and became very numerous.” In fact, they “…became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them.” From the time of Joseph’s death (the closing of Genesis) to the time of Moses’ birth (the opening of Exodus) approximately 430 years had passed, and the people of Israel grew from 70 to what is estimated to be in the millions (including women and children).

How did this take place? The story of the Bible has revealed that God’s hand will not relent from caring for His people, and it is no different in this case. A promise has been made to Abraham, and God will not relent in bringing it to pass. But, how did this small band of dysfunctional brothers grow into being a people group that will enter the land of Canaan and possess it as God had promised?

Simple answer: Jacob and his sons were shepherds, and Egyptians did not associate with those who practiced this line of work. In fact, Joseph makes it clear how his family will be protected (incubated) in the land of Egypt (under Pharaoh’s protection)…


When Pharaoh calls you and says, ‘What is your occupation?’ you shall say, ‘Your servants have been keepers of livestock from our youth even until now, both we and our fathers,’ that you may live in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is loathsome to the Egyptians.”
Genesis 46:33-34


God’s provision for His people is through their occupation–their line of work. Are there times in your life when you wonder how in the world the Lord could be using your work situation or life situation for good? In the case of Israel, God used it to protect them, to grow them, and to provide a place where they could multiply from 70 people to what many scholars believe to be in the millions.

Application question: How would your work situation or life situation change if you viewed it with the hope that God is using it for your greatest good? The reality is we don’t know (nor do we really have control over) what God is doing in and through the situations we find ourselves in, and that doesn’t mean that change isn’t on the horizon. However, we can control our attitude, and most importantly our hope that God is using our present situation for our greatest good.

What if? What if tomorrow morning, the next morning, and so on your hope was in the promise of God’s best for you? What if your focus was not on what’s happening now so much as what is God wanting me to learn? What if you didn’t waste this season wishing for another? What if you embraced the things you can’t change and instead trusted God with His promise to you for good?

And this is exactly why Christ had to die. Without His life–His perfect life–we would not have the hope that God is going to use all things for good and conform us to His image. God’s not done with you–He’s growing you right where you are–believe it!

— October 14, 2016