Being in the Right Place (1-Minute Mondays)

Have you ever been or are you angry at someone? Has someone ever done you wrong? Has someone offended you?

Yes, Yes, and Yes. I have been angry, have been done wrong, and have been offended. None of us have to live long for these statements to be true.

In fact, since these things happen universally to each of us, the next question is, “How did you respond?” Another question to consider alongside that one, “Where are you now in the situation?”

Joseph is helpful to us.

A fascinating story takes place in Genesis 37-50. Joseph’s brothers determine to kill him until God providentially brought slave traders by so they decided to sell him. Off to Egypt Joseph goes. You need to read the story because it is a crazy one. After suffering abuses of several kinds, Joseph ultimately ends up in Pharaoh’s court as a ruler in Egypt.

All of the Middle East faced a severe seven-year famine. There was no food anywhere except in Egypt because God helped Joseph get prepared for the famine. As he was overseeing the sale of grain, his brothers show up from Canaan to buy grain. Again, there are too many details here to give them all, but Joseph eventually tells them who he is and they go get their dad and the rest of the family.

They live together in Egypt until his dad dies. After burying him, the brothers send messengers and then come themselves to Joseph begging for mercy. They were afraid Joseph would be out to get revenge. Here is his response:

¹⁹ Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? ²⁰ But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. ²¹ Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:19-21)

Joseph’s response is perfect. His simple question, “Am I in the place of God?”

Putting Yourself in the Right Place

Image Credit Wesley Tingey