Knowing God through His Word … Day by Day

The brothers of Joseph had committed great sins.  They knew this, were no doubt plagued with guilt, but thought they had gotten away with it.  Now, after obtaining life-saving grain in Egypt from Joseph (NOT knowing who he really was) they discover the payment for the grain was back in their sacks.  Their immediate response?

At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?” Genesis 42:28

Instead of blaming each other, they turn toward each other, scared to death, and think that God is responsible for their dilemma.  Is He?  One of the lessons we learn from Joseph’s story is that God has a plan and is sovereign over all events. Did Joseph put they money back in their sacks? Or did God?  John Piper, in a sermon “The Sale of Joseph and the Son of God”

Not only was God ruling the actions of these brothers to get Joseph to Egypt, but God was ruling the famine as well: “When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.” [Psalm 105:16-17] So put out of your mind the thought that God foresaw a famine happening on its own or happening by Satan. God summoned the famine. And God prepared the deliverance.

God does the same today in our lives.  He summons and He saves. He is our sovereign Lord, just as He is the sovereign Lord of Joseph and his brothers.