Genesis 37-50, Transitions

Joseph's story reveals a lot about transitions. I'll hit the highlights of his story: he was the 2ND youngest of 12 brothers, he was arrogant, favored by his father, hated by his brothers, bought as a slave by his family's ancestral enemy, accused of rape, taken prisoner and then finally forgotten by someone he helped jail break. Now you may be thinking, "How is this encouraging?" Well his story teaches us several things about God's ways. Repeatedly throughout Joseph's story the Bible says, "The Lord was with Joseph." The first time this is mentioned he is just sold into slavery (Gen 39:2) and the second time he was in prison (39:20,21). Those aren't the times I would assume God was with me. We learn that circumstances do not reveal if God has us in mind or not. And secondly, We learn that God is with us through the good times and the bad, He never leaves us. But what is God doing during this time? He is actually using our circumstances from where we're at to fulfill His vision for our lives. Joseph may not have known how involved God was during his years of suffering but later in life he knew what God was doing. He said in Gen. 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Often times the suffering of life and the transitions we endure may appear to come from peoples hands, but it actually has its source in God. 3 principles we can learn from this: First, Suffering makes us more compassionate. Second, What Satan intended for evil, God designed for good. Finally, God works all things for the good of those we love Him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).