The Bigger Picture
I tore open the envelope like it was the winning lottery ticket. Surely it would confirm the desire of my heart. After all those months of waiting, today would tell the story! A longing would be fulfilled. But I couldn’t believe my eyes as I read the rejection letter; I was not accepted at the school of my choice. I thought my heart would break. As a graduating senior at the top of my class, I should have been accepted. Everyone already knew that’s where I was headed. Until the door shut. I cried for weeks. But once I got over the shock, my parents encouraged me to apply to a school in Springfield, Missouri. Before long, I was accepted, but I thought it was less-than-best, second choice, and merely the leftovers. I didn’t see the bigger picture back then. I was only 17 but even today I can miss that truth. God had something better in mind. My disappointment became His appointment to something better. You see, not only did I form lifelong friendships there, but I met my husband at this school. I had been praying since I was a little girl for God to bring the right man into my life some day. What I didn’t realize then was that God was engineering circumstances to bring about His will for me. He saw what I couldn’t see. I learned that God had a bigger picture in mind than the issues at hand.
Read Genesis 45:1-3
1. After hearing Judah’s plea and realizing his brothers had truly changed, what did Joseph do? What was his first question and why were his brothers not able to answer him?
Read Genesis 45:4-8
2. How does Joseph let his brothers know he had forgiven them?
3. What truth about God is revealed in Joseph’s statement?
4. What do you think is significant about Joseph “preserving for them a remnant”?
Read Genesis 45:9-11
5. How did Joseph plan to bless his family? What do you notice about his concern for their father?
Read Genesis 45:12-15
6. Describe the emotions of Joseph and his brothers after he promised to take care of them.
God took Joseph through the pit and the prison to eventually rule in the palace. Joseph tried to convince his brothers that they should not be angry with themselves for what they did. He assured them he was sent head of them to preserve their lives. He assured them that God had made him lord of all Egypt. His pain was not wasted but used by God to protect and provide for them. Joseph mentioned preserving for them a remnant to build their confidence that they would be a great nation some day. That they didn’t need to be afraid he would retaliate for all the pain they caused him. Truly, God had a bigger picture in mind than the issues Joseph faced as a young man. When we walk through trials, can we say the same thing…that God allowed the pain for a higher purpose. Sometimes, we just don’t know what God is up to!
After finding out and realizing that his brothers had changed in their lives since the first time – Joseph cried and wanted every man who was with him to leave because Joseph was going to tell his brothers who he really was – that he was the true Joseph and their other brother – Joseph wanted to know if his father was still alive – Joseph’s brothers were so overcome they could not answer him right then – the brothers were still troubled by his presence before them. Joseph told his brothers he had forgiven them for selling him – because it was GOD’S will for this to happen and Joseph was supposed to help save their father and the brothers by being the one who was to save their lives and supply food to eat during the famine in the land – and there was supposed to be another two years – this really was GOD working in Joseph’s life and a great story for his brothers to hear. Joseph did exactly what GOD had planned for his life – sometimes you and I need to listen a little bit closer to what GOD wants to do in our lives. And GOD made a way for Joseph’s father and brothers to have food and things during the famine – GOD is always so good to us. GOD has placed Joseph where he was to help out his father and brothers families – give them food to eat and a place to live during the rest of the famine. Joseph told them not to hasten and do not tarry but to bring their father and their families down to Goshen to live and Joseph would nourish them for there was still another few years of famine – Joseph would save all of the family from poverty during this time. GOD is so good to each one of us. Joseph told them to hasten and bring his father and families back – Joseph wept with his younger brother – Benjamin – and then all of the brothers wept and hugged each other – Yes – GOD did take Joseph all the way to rule in the palace – GOD had made sure that Joseph would be saving his family in the end. GOD always works out things for us even though we do not know the answers right away – if we only trust in the LORD for all of the answers in our lives. We always end up with the LORD on our side if we give our lives to HIM. What a wonderful lesson for all of us – always go with GOD’S leading even though we do not understand at the time of things happening. Thanks again – Karen – for a wonderful lesson – and GOD was leading your life also – even though sometimes it is not the way we think things should go. Let us all go with GOD on our side at all times.
This study on Joseph is a good reminder that…God is in control! In verse 5 he says “for God sent me ahead of you…” In verse 7 he says “God sent me before you …” And in verse 8 he says “So it was not you who sent me here, but God”. God was in control of everything that happened to Joseph then and He is in control of all that happens to us now. Our response to our trials is what we control and just as Joseph never lost sight of God, I want to never lose sight of the “Bigger Picture” for His glory!