Divine Providence and the Will of God (Part Three)

An example of divine providence is directly acknowledged in the biblical story of Joseph (Genesis 50:15-21). God allowed Joseph’s brothers to kidnap Joseph, sell him as a slave, and then lie to their father, Jacob by showing him Joseph's blood-stained, many-colored coat, falsely claiming a wild animal had torn Joseph apart after they'd sold him into slavery in Egypt, causing Jacob immense grief for decades. This was wicked, and God was displeased with Joseph's brothers for their jealousy, hatred, and selling him into slavery! Yet, at the same time, God worked all of their sin toward a greater good: Joseph ended up in Egypt, where he was made the prime minister. Joseph used his position to sustain the Egyptians, and surrounding nations during a seven-year famine—including his own family. If Joseph had not been in Egypt before the famine began, millions of people, including the Israelites, would have died. How did God get Joseph to Egypt? He providentially allowed his brothers the freedom to sin. Be encouraged!

Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., spiritually gifted Bible teacher & expositor