He is His Word

Scripture: Genesis 45: 5

"Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Commentary:
Joseph is speaking with his brothers, whom he had not seen since they had sold him into slavery to the Midianites. He recognized his brothers when they came to the land of Egypt in which he was now in the position of authority for the house of Pharoah. However, his brothers did not recognize him at all.

The main purpose for the brothers going to Egypt in the first place was to get food for their household at the order of their father; because of the famine. When Joseph seen them he came up with a plan to find out if his younger brother Benjamin was still alive. When his brothers departed and came back with Benjamin, he was moved with compassion to see his younger brother, and they celebrated.

The next morning the brothers were sent away to return home. However, the plan was not fully completed. On their way back home they were stopped in their tracks and their sacks were searched for the missing cup. They had no idea that the Joseph cup was in the younger brother's sack. They made a vow to return as slaves if the cup was found, not know that it had been planted by Joseph; as a way to find out for sure if his father was still alive.

When they returned, Judah pleaded with Joseph not to keep the younger brother, but to keep him instead. Joseph could not longer contain himself, and he opening wept in their presence, and let them know that he was their brother in whom they had sold into slavery. He told them not to be grieved or angry with themselves because it was God's plan to put him in a position of authority, in order to take care of his family in a time of famine.

His position of authority was given to him for the purpose of perserving life, and that he would make sure that his entire household was provided for; because God had put him in the position to do so. His dream of ruling and reigning over them, was not a dream of conceit for his purpose.

The dream that Joseph had was a sign of what God would do in the future; to make sure that his family was taken care of. They had no idea that a famine would be in the land for seven years, and they were not prepared for it. However, God knew; and He orchestrated a sequence of events, in order to make sure that their needs were met; well in advance by making Joseph a slave, and servant, to someone in a high position of authority.

After some time had passed, Pharoah cared for Joseph; and took care of him, like he was his own son. Therefore, when Joseph found his family, Pharoah was pleased, and told him that all of their needs would be met. It did not make any difference that Joseph was an Hebrew as well as his family, and Pharoah was an Egyptian; God set in motion the deliverance of his entire family through a foreign people, and land. There was nothing that Joseph could not ask for, that would withheld from him.

Reflection:
The life of Joseph shows us that no matter what we go through in life, God has already worked out our deliverance through a sequence of events; that he has already orchestrated to manifest, throughout a given time period. Even though we cannot see the whole picture, God loves us so much that He would not leave us barren, broken hearted, and without provision and protection. We can find comfort in knowing that God is truly a good God; and it is not in Him to be who He is not. He is His Word, and His Word is Him.

Prayer:
Father God, I thank and praise you for always taking care of me. Even though I cannot see the whole picture of what you have already worked out in my life, I know that you Oh God, have already worked it out. I give you praise and honor for what you have already done in my life; in order to perserve the life of my family, my friends and my neighbors. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

do not be greived: 6087
1) to hurt, pain, grieve, displease, vex, wrest
a) (Qal) to hurt, pain
b) (Niphal) to be in pain, be pained, be grieved
c) (Piel) to vex, torture
d) (Hiphil) to cause pain
e) (Hithpael) to feel grieved, be vexed
2) to shape, fashion, make, form, stretch into shape, (TWOT) worship
a) (Piel) to shape, form
b) (Hiphil) to form, copy, fashion

or angry: 2734
1) to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled
a) (Qal) to burn, kindle (anger)
b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed
c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle
d) (Hithpael) to heat oneself in vexation
with yourselves: 5869
1) eye
a) eye
1) of physical eye
2) as showing mental qualities
3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
2) spring, fountain

for God: 430
1) (plural)
a) rulers, judges
b) divine ones
c) angels
d) gods
2) (plural intensive - singular meaning)
a) god, goddess
b) godlike one
c) works or special possessions of God
d) the (true) God
e) God

Sent: 7971
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
a) (Qal)
1) to send
2) to stretch out, extend, direct
3) to send away
4) to let loose
b) (Niphal) to be sent
c) (Piel)
1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
2) to let go, set free
3) to shoot forth (of branches)
4) to let down
5) to shoot
d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled
e) (Hiphil) to send

me before: 6440
1) face
a) face, faces
b) presence, person
c) face (of seraphim or cherubim)
d) face (of animals)
e) face, surface (of ground)
f) as adv of loc/temp

1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before
g) with prep
1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

you to perserve: 4241
1) preservation of life, sustenance

a) preservation of life
b) sustenance
c) reviving
d) the quick of the flesh, live flesh, tender or raw flesh

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Beginnings - Genesis 45 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 18 Jan 2010.  http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=45&t=NASB
 
Higgins, S. (2009) He is His Word! Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com (RP) The Missing Cup.