Undeserved Favor Again

Undeserved Favor Again

Genesis 47: ⁵ Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. ⁶ The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.”

 

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After Joseph’s brothers told Pharaoh that they were shepherds, Pharaoh told Joseph to give them the “best of the land.” He also asked if there were others and if so, make them chief herdsmen.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph’s brothers hated him, BUT GOD showed them favor despite their actions.
• Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, BUT GOD raised Joseph to rule over Egypt.
• Joseph’s brothers lied about what they did as a cover up, BUT GOD blessed them to have the best land in Egypt during a famine that was causing people to starve.

 

There was nothing the brothers did to deserve this much favor. BUT GOD used their evil for good. This is an important lesson for us. We may talk bad about oppressors or avoid patching up a relationship, thinking we are doing the right thing.

 

GOD’s ways are higher than our ways. HE sees solutions way beyond the current situation. HE gave grace and favor to people who could care less about changing. HE did this for the ultimate purpose of saving you and me. If HE wiped out evil people, there would be no human who could open the scroll that sentenced Satan and redeemed humans. GOD sees around our shortcomings to achieve a greater purpose. That’s favor.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the favorable statement given by Pharaoh?
• Have you ever received favor and thought it was because you were temporarily being good?
• Can you praise GOD today for the undeserved favor in your life?