God’s People, Blessed Through the Sacrifice of Christ

His brothers’ jealousy sold Joseph into slavery, and his refusal of Potiphar’s wife’s advances landed him in prison. There he met Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer, who later brought him before the king. After interpreting the dream, Joseph became governor over Egypt.

The hardships Joseph endured were no accident. Through them God was carrying out his plan to fulfill the promise he had made to Abraham. Joseph neither complained nor sought revenge. Instead, he comforted the very brothers who had sold him and told them not to be distressed. Such obedience and self-sacrifice point ahead to Christ, who gave himself up for us.

Laying aside worldly desires and stubbornness to obey God’s will may look like suffering, yet at the end of that road God has prepared protection and blessing. Christ’s sacrifice now lets the faithful stand without blemish, and they must hold that grace dear, as one guards every drop of water in the desert.