Egypt's Prime-Minister
Soul Snack 137/12 ... Egypt's Prime-Minister
A pitiless ancient eastern sun burned his already darkened skin. A victim of calculated brotherly betrayal Joseph slumped helpless in the dry well. This well was merely his entry to the trail of suffering.
From a death sentence in a dusty cistern he was sold into slavery and then re-sold in Egypt - the land of suffering (Gen 41:52). In slavery and still a youth he was betrayed once more and jailed. In jail Joseph was forgotten by those he helped and life continued in unjust captivity. A fresh faced eighteen year-old had been literally dropped in hole but a gracious and faithful adult was elevated from incarceration to privilege at age thirty (Gen 41:46). Joseph was not the Pharoah but he was now the Prime-Minister of Egypt.
About eighty years later this non-egyptian Egyptian Prime-Minister spoke these words of mercy to his merciless but now fearful brothers:
You intended to harm me but God meant it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Gen 50:20)
Joseph knew how to find good in evil. Bitterness, resentment and ill-will would have been a legitimate response of Joseph but he refused to permit darkness to rob him of light.
Scan for God's beams instead of gazing into satan's black.
The clouds may be very low and very threatening, but the Son still shines above them.
Today's Soul Snippet:
"When you are down to nothing God is up to something." anon