The Pit was Meant for Good

The story of Joseph begins in Genesis 37 and continues into chapter 50. The story is about his family, hardships, forgiveness and  family restoration.  

Joseph’s story, in a quick version, is as follows. Joseph was the  son of Jacob, and he was his father’s favorite son because he was  born to his father when he was late in his age. His father made  Joseph a special coat to wear, and his brothers became very jealous of  him. Joseph also had two dreams and interpreted them. The dreams  meant that his family would bow down to him one day, and that  made his brothers extremely angry. They decided to kill him. Joseph’s  brother Reuben didn’t want to do that, so he suggested they put him  in a pit. His plan was to come back and rescue him, but the other  brothers sold him to some merchants before Reuben could come  back. They then took his coat and put goat’s blood on it and took it  to their father and said that an animal had attacked him and killed  him. 

Joseph was then taken to Egypt and lived with a man named  Potiphar. Potiphar was one of Pharaohs officials and he was well  taken care of. Potiphar’s wife though wanted Joseph to sleep with  her. When he refused, he left in a hurry and ended up leaving his coat  behind. She then claimed he tried to rape her, and from that  accusation he was put in prison. The Lord though was with him in  prison, so much so that he was put in charge of all the prisoners. Two prisoners in jail were the cupbearer and the baker to the king.  They both had dreams and asked Joseph to interpret them. The  cupbearers dream interpreted meant that he would be released. The  baker’s dream was interpreted that he would be hung. When Joseph  told the cupbearer the meaning of the dream, he also asked him to  remember him when he got out because he didn’t deserve to be  there. 

It took two years for Joseph to be let out of prison. He was  asked to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. When Joseph did this, Pharaoh  let Joseph out of prison. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the land of  Egypt because of the famine that was going to come – which was his  dream interpreted. Joseph’s brothers ended up coming to Joseph, not knowing who he was, to buy grain for the famine at the request of  their father Jacob. When they came Joseph knew who they were, but  they didn’t know who he was. (At this point Joseph’s dream was  fulfilled – they were bowing down to him because he was the  Governor of the Land.) In Chapter 45:5 we read that Joseph reveals  himself to his brothers. Then he said to his brothers, “And now, do  not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here;  for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Eventually Joseph’s  father was told Joseph was alive, and they were all restored to each  other. 

Jacob then dies seventeen years later. He was separated from his  son for at least thirteen years but received an additional seventeen years with him before he died. When Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers  were worried. “What if Joseph should bear a grudge against us and  pay us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him?” So they  sent a message to Joseph saying, “Your father charged before he died saying, “Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg of you,  the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you  wrong.” And now please forgive the transgression of the servants of  the God of your father.” It really doesn’t say for sure if their father  told them this or not, but Joseph had already forgiven them even  before he felt his brothers wanted forgiveness. Joseph tells them in  verse 20, “And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant  it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve  many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for  you and your little ones.” We see that God clearly intended this for  good. There are a lot of lessons to learn from this story. A few that  are important are: 

1. Jealousy always leads to destruction. 

2. Even when we are in a “pit” God is always with us. He never  leaves us – ever. 

3. Everything is in God’s timing, not ours. 

4. Forgiveness needs to come first even if the other person hasn’t  asked for it. Joseph not only forgave, but he also provided for them. 

5. Family restoration is God’s business no matter how hopeless  things seem.

6. Look at all situations (good and bad) and give God all the glory.  He’s in control. 

7. God also blessed Joseph’s brothers and their families. 

We all have experienced at least once being in the “pit” like  Joseph. Whether we were put there by others or by ourselves, we all  have been there. 

Psalms 40:1-3 reads as follows: “I waited patiently for the Lord;  and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of  the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; and He set my feet upon a  rock making my footsteps firm. And He put a new song in my  mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will  trust in the Lord.” 

Ephesians 4:32 tells us, “And be kind to one another, tender  hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven  you.” 

It’s not only about forgiving but also about being kind and  loving to each other. Trust may have to be built again but we can  forgive and give it all to God to handle. He can mend any heart as  long as we’re willing to walk with Him. God never stops loving or  forgiving us so why would we decide to do something that He would  never do?  

Jeremiah 31:3 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love, I  have drawn you with loving kindness.” 

Psalms 103:1-3, “Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within  me bless His Holy name, bless the Lord oh my soul and forget not all  His benefits: who forgives all your sins iniquities, and heals your diseases.” 

Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through His  blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace.” 

Joseph is a powerful example for us in many ways. His story  represents forgiveness, love, strength, courage and the power of God.  It also shows how God can take something that was meant for evil in  our lives and turn it around to the Glory of God. This story should  bring much hope to you if you feel you are in a pit or have ever been in a pit. God will take you out of that situation and bring you into His  full plan for your life and let it be used for the Glory of God. 

What About You? 

1. Do you believe God is really with you, even when you’re in a  pit? 

2. Do you trust God will comfort you and see you through?

From God's Garden Tools by Gina Burns