“Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God;” Genesis 45:8a
As Joseph’s brothers have returned to Egypt with the stolen Chalice, and Judah has described the trauma that will befall their father if Benjamin does not return, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. First, sending everyone out of the room except his brothers, this Ruler of Egypt, who had only spoken to them earlier with an interpreter, begins crying uncontrollably in their midst and explaining in their own language his past that put him into this position. That is where Today’s Verse comes in; with Joseph consoling his brothers for their past sins.
Oh, the Mysterious and Sovereign ways of God! Joseph, hated and despised by his brothers and sold into Slavery by them, tells them “it was not you who sent me here, but God”. Here, irrespective of a terrible and tragic past, Joseph sees God in control of all things regarding his life, the tragedies as well as the blessings! He saw that the God that gifted him with understanding dreams and administrative ability to prosper in both Potiphar’s house and the Jail, also controlled the circumstances that put him there to begin with.
How do we compare? No doubt, most of us understand that it is God who sends us the blessings, and we make sure to acknowledge Him and give thanks for them. But do we murmur and complain at our Trials and Hardships? Are we bitter and frustrated with the Circumstances during these times? If God is our Father, He is lovingly and sovereignly guiding all aspects of our lives, even the most trying of them. Let us be more like Joseph and follow his lead!