אֲנִי יוֹסֵף, הַעוֹד אָבִי חָי

“I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” 

In those quiet times of reflection, has the Lord ever shown you a glimpse of a moment in your past that was worked together for good in the present (Ro. 8:28)? When the expected did not happen, or when the unexpected disrupted the course of life? 

 Joseph knew he was to be a ruler, a grand leader that his brothers, mother, and father would bow before. Yet, the Joseph who dreamed the dreams that enraged his brothers, could not discern the deep valleys before him that would lead him to that moment. Still, even then, the young and pompous Joseph could not have imagined that it was not the reverence he wanted, but the reconciliation; it was not honor but an embrace that his heart would desire. 

 Joseph revealed himself by proclaiming: “I am Joseph!” Here is the revelation of a name, but the inquiry about Jacob confirmed Joseph’s identity: “Is my father still alive?” The Torah tells us that the brothers were troubled, more likely nervous, before his face (Gen. 45:3). Joseph knowing his brothers, ceases to be the exalted leader, becomes the caring brother, “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen. 45:5; cf. 45:7). 

 When the brothers first appeared before him, Joseph remembered his dreams (Gen. 42:9). It would seem with this realization the Lord began to minister to Joseph’s heart. After all, Joseph named his firstborn son Manasseh, “causing to forget.” He wanted to forget, but the Lord wanted him to remember. Why? 

 Joseph could have killed his guilty brothers without revealing his identity, and then sent Egyptian soldiers to retrieve Jacob. Without question his order would have been carried out. Yet, the Lord ministered remembrance: “Joseph, remember those dreams I sent you.” The power Joseph could have used to destroy for vengeance sake, the Lord used for salvation and reconciliation: “God sent me before you to preserve life.” The long years of separation, and the many years down in the deep valleys of his journey softened Joseph’s heart. By faith, Joseph was able to recognize that while the brothers intended evil, the Lord intended good (Gen. 50:20). 

The remnant the Lord would use to advance redemptive history was preserved (Gen. 45:7). 

 I believe that in our quiet moments the Holy Spirit can show us just how the Lord worked the intended good out of an apparent set back, loss or unexpected change. In my own life, there have been many occasions when I thanked the Lord for not allowing my dream to be realized as I stood in a dimension of that same dream that I did not recognize. 

 Paul the apostle began as an apostle of persecution but was found in his last days as an apostle of the Good News of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus. Paul had every reason to be confident in his flesh, his person (Phil. 3:3). Nevertheless, “whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Phil. 3:7). Paul was sent by a vengeful high priest but was met on his mission by the resurrected High Priest of heaven. At that glorious moment on the road to Damascus Paul would be sent into a long valley of hardship for the cause of the Gospel. Consider, however, the encouragement Paul gives to us, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered loss of all things and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8). 

 Paul was able to see, after years of reflection, that in every twist and turn, with every beating and shipwreck, that the Lord’s hand was gently leading him along the mountaintops with the Good News to announce to those who yearned to hear it. What the enemy intended for evil, the Lord intended for good, even salvation of the lost. 

 Beloved reader, this season is difficult for many. You are not alone in your trial. Joseph was able to see the Lord’s hand working during all his years of trial and heartache. Paul, likewise, witnessed the Lord’s glory even while in the valley. While they both experienced pain, both Joseph and Paul knew that it was not in vain. 

 I leave you this encouragement: “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Amen. 

 Maranatha. Shalom.