The story of Joseph in the book of Genesis provides a powerful example of God’s sovereignty and how He can use evil intentions for ultimate good. Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20 represent a key perspective that emerges from his dramatic life story.
To understand the significance of Joseph’s declaration in Genesis 50:20, it is helpful to summarize some key events in his life:
- Joseph was favored by his father Jacob, which made his brothers jealous (Genesis 37:3-4)
- His brothers plotted to kill him, but instead sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:18-28)
- Joseph was taken to Egypt and served in Potiphar’s house, but was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison (Genesis 39)
- While in prison, Joseph correctly interpreted dreams for Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker (Genesis 40)
- Two years later, Joseph was summoned to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, for which he was elevated to become second-in-command of Egypt (Genesis 41:14-44)
- When his brothers came to Egypt seeking food during a famine, Joseph concealed his identity at first, accused them of being spies, and demanded that his younger brother Benjamin be brought to him (Genesis 42)
- Joseph eventually revealed himself to his brothers and explained that God had used their evil actions to bring about good – to preserve life during the famine (Genesis 45:5-8)
After their father Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers worried that he would seek revenge. But Joseph responded by saying, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20 ESV). This verse is the key to understanding a central theme in Joseph’s story.
Joseph’s brothers were motivated by jealousy, anger, and greed when they sold him into slavery and deceived their father. Their intentions were undoubtedly evil. Yet somehow God orchestrated events so that Joseph would become second-in-command in Egypt, in position to save his family and many others from starvation. This was God’s good purpose.
Joseph recognized that what man intends for evil, God can redirect and use for good purposes. His brothers meant him harm, but God’s plan all along was to place Joseph in a role to preserve life during crisis. God’s sovereignty ruled over the sins of men. The evil actions of Joseph’s brothers were real and produced injustice and suffering. Yet God worked through even their wickedness to bring about redemption.
There are several important lessons and biblical themes that emerge from Joseph’s perspective and words in Genesis 50:20:
1. God’s Sovereignty Over Human Evil
Joseph’s story affirms that God is sovereign, even over human sin and evil. Humans have free will and are responsible for their actions. Joseph’s brothers deliberately chose to harm him out of their own evil motives. At the same time, God was able to incorporate their free choices into His plan. He used their evil for good, to work out His purposes.
This theme – God’s sovereignty ruling over human evil – is common in Scripture. Examples include:
- Acts 4:27-28 – The persecution and crucifixion of Jesus by evil men was predestined by God
- Genesis 45:7 – God sent Joseph ahead to Egypt to preserve life
- Isaiah 10:5-7 – God would use wicked Assyria as an instrument of judgment
- Romans 8:28 – God works all things for the good of those who love Him
Joseph’s life represents a major Old Testament example of God’s power to take evil plots and use them for greater purposes that bring redemption.
2. Forgiveness Over Revenge
Joseph had suffered greatly at the hands of his brothers. Not only was he sold into slavery, but he was also separated from his beloved father for over 20 years. The emotional pain must have been immense.
When given power in Egypt, Joseph could have easily executed vengeance. Yet he chose forgiveness. He did test his brothers to determine if their hearts had changed. But in the end, Joseph was motivated by mercy, not revenge:
- “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” (Genesis 45:5)
- “But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.'” (Genesis 50:19-20)
Joseph’s example illustrates the Bible’s teaching that we should extend forgiveness, not vengeance, to those who have harmed us (Matthew 6:14-15; Romans 12:17-21). Forgiveness brings healing and glory to God. Bitterness and revenge only lead to more harm.
3. Purpose in Suffering
Joseph’s story provides one of the clearest examples in Scripture of God using suffering for greater purposes. Joseph endured slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment. Yet all these hardships were part of God’s plan to position Joseph for leadership in Egypt.
Joseph later understood this purpose and even told his brothers that although they had harmed him, God used it for good (Genesis 45:5; 50:20). Reflecting on his ordeals, Joseph could see how God had orchestrated every circumstance for an ultimate, divine purpose.
In the New Testament, the apostles echoed this perspective on suffering. Paul wrote that his imprisonment and beatings advanced the spread of the Gospel (Philippians 1:12-14). The author of Hebrews also noted that God’s discipline produces righteousness and holiness (Hebrews 12:10-11). Like Joseph, Christians can have confidence that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). There is always purpose in pain.
4. God’s Providence
Throughout his story, Joseph recognized the hand of God orchestrating every circumstance, even evil ones. He told his brothers they had meant evil, but “God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). At the end of his life, Joseph told them, “God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20).
This highlights God’s providence – His wise working and oversight of all things towards His purposes. Though allowed by God, sin and evil arise from human hearts. Within these constraints, God sovereignly directs circumstances towards what is good and just. Joseph saw God’s providence plainly in the events of his life.
Recognizing God’s providential oversight gives great comfort to believers. Despite life’s injustices and suffering, God is actively working all things after the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11). He causes all things to work for good in the lives of His children (Romans 8:28).
5. Dreams Directed by God
Dreams play an important role in Joseph’s story. He had prominent dreams early on indicating God had chosen him for leadership (Genesis 37:5-10). In prison, Joseph accurately interpreted dreams for Pharaoh’s officials (Genesis 40). This led to his summons before Pharaoh to interpret dreams warning of a coming famine.
Joseph made clear that dream interpretation belongs to God alone (Genesis 40:8, 41:16). God gave Pharaoh dreams regarding the famine and only God could explain their meaning. Joseph was merely the messenger through whom God revealed His plan.
This affirms that God may speak through dreams as one way of guiding people. Examples in Scripture include Jacob (Genesis 28:12-15), Daniel (Daniel 2), Joseph (Matthew 1:20-21), and Paul (Acts 16:9). God is sovereign even over dreams, directing them to communicate truth, revelation, and guidance.
6. God’s Grace Despite Sin
A final lesson emerges when Joseph’s story is viewed in context of biblical history. God used Joseph to preserve the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, fulfil his covenant promises, and advance the Messianic line.
Yet the patriarchs were far from perfect. Abraham and Isaac lied about their wives. Jacob deceived his father. Judah committed incest with his daughter-in-law. The sons of Jacob sold their brother into slavery. This was a messianic line marked by sexual sin, deceit, and betrayal.
Yet God saw fit to use this sinful family to advance His redemptive plan. God’s grace prevailed despite their sinful failings. Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20 remind us that God works even through flawed people and can redeem sins and sufferings to accomplish His greater purposes.
Conclusion
Joseph’s declaration in Genesis 50:20 was a powerful testimony to God’s sovereignty and redemptive purpose. His brothers sinned greatly against him. But Joseph was able to move beyond bitterness and see how God used these evil actions for something even greater – the preservation of God’s chosen people. God redeemed their evil for salvation.
The story of Joseph illustrates God’s ability to incorporate even man’s evil into His perfect plan. It highlights principles such as God’s sovereignty, purpose in suffering, divine providence, and the need for forgiveness. Joseph’s life provides one of the clearest pictures in Scripture of God turning what was meant for evil into something beautifully good.