Goodness
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 11:54AM 
His brothers sold him into slavery, and from that great betrayal flowed years of hardship and further injustice. Through those difficult years of Joseph, son of Jacob, discovered the goodness of God.
Decades later, after reconciliation and reunion, the fear of payback after Jacob’s death drove his brothers to one final lie, “Our father’s final words were, ‘be sure to tell Joseph he should forgive his brothers.’”
Joseph, now wise to the ways of men and his brothers in particular, waved away the lie and their fears. “’Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”
Joseph recognized the goodness of God resident in the wickedness of men. Behind the mistakes of honest men, and beneath the malevolence of the wicked--even through our own weakness, God's goodness makes its steady way.
Perhaps you have a Joseph-story where God's goodness was at work in your life? I'd love to hear it.
Reader Comments (5)
Ray, by now you have no doubt observed that from time to time I enjoy pushing the ball a little further down the field, especially when invited to do so! And it is certainly true of me - as with nearly everyone - that God's goodness has been overwhelmingly evident in my life. However, I have been hard-pressed to come up with a Joseph-like example of having been done wrong, yet able to see God's goodness. So two things occur to me: 1) Either the sting of having been done wrong has passed so long ago that nothing comes to mind, or 2) God has spared me from even knowing when I was done wrong. I believe that only in Heaven will I fully appreciate all that God has done in my life - revealing to me the "slings and arrows" I had not even known were cast in my direction. I would guess it is His way of protecting me from betrayals I am unable to withstand.
Perhaps sharing that serves to move the ball laterally?
It's a solid 8-yard gain on first down, Ed: I'm sure our ignorance plays a part, but I'd be willing to bet He does, indeed, rescue us from the "slings and arrows" without our knowledge as well. This world is outrageous; He is our fortune.
48 years ago it took 3 months before I swore all night at God that He just couldn’t exist. I was mad that I had wasted all that time working with one man that I thought God had called me to nurture and that man went haywire and was incarcerated in Okinawa. Eight months later I received a letter stateside from the man thanking me for he was where God needed him to be and wouldn’t have been without my efforts. I’ve never doubted His call since. Just too many words necessary to make clear... Kind of a Noah thing…
Would you elaborate (giving a scripture reference) for your comments about "slings and arrows"?
I have searched around and have only come up with Matthew 11:12.
Hi Jamey:
Thanks so much for dropping by. Most references (this one, too) to "slings and arrows" are drawn from Shakespeare's play, Hamlet, where the young prince is feeling overwhelmed by events beyond his control. He calls them the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune." So there's nothing special about the phrase from a Biblical standpoint.
Peace to you!