Then God spoke to Israel Egypt Egypt Genesis
46:2-4 )
The word “providence” is a
composite word—from “pro,” meaning “before,” and “video,” meaning “to
see,”—thus, “to see before,” and describes God’s foresight in directing people
and events to His predetermined purpose.
The Old Testament story of Joseph
is a dramatic demonstration of this doctrine.
God birthed a dream in Joseph’s heart that his brothers would someday
bow to him. That seemed impossible, when
through a series of events, Joseph was cast down into a pit, went down to Egypt
as a slave, was put down into a dungeon as a prisoner, and yet this would be
the very means by which God would bring him up!
He becomes the second most powerful man in the world, and his brothers
bow before him, just as God had foreordained.
This became the means by which Jacob’s family was saved from famine—and
we may add, how we are saved from hell!
Christ would be born of this line—and had they perished of starvation,
then we would have no Savior!
In the story of Joseph we learn
that God’s providence is universal—it extends to all people and to all
places. Though He does not make us
puppets on a string, He takes even the bad decisions people make and works them
for eternal good and glory. Certainly,
evil things were done to Joseph. God
didn’t make his brothers, for example, do what they did, for He cannot inspire
evil, still, He used those very actions to work His will.
His providence is never
unrighteous—though it may seem unfair at times.
Surely, Joseph must have felt that way—and so do we. All he ever tried to do was to be faithful to
God and an obedient son. What did it get
him? The pit! In Potiphar’s house, he was a loyal servant,
and rejected the seduction of his master’s wife, and what was the result? The
prison! Yet, there was more to the
story, and we see the righteousness of God prevail over man’s sinfulness.
His providence is not always
understandable. God knows more than we
know, sees farther than we see, and works in ways beyond our grasp. Although we eventually see what God was doing
in Joseph’s life, we still wonder why He worked in this way. I can only say, it was the best way, but only
God knows why!
His providence is
unchangeable. Much is made of the
“freewill of man,” and yet, those very choices freely made will ultimately
result in the will of God being done.
His agenda cannot be thwarted! No
angel in heaven, no demon below, neither ruler on earth, nor circumstance in
life can stop the irresistible movement of God’s program. Always remember that when life seems out of
control, God is very much in control.
How comforting!
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