A Picture of Providence

Song: Does Jesus Care?

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-28

The providence of God is one of the great Bible themes. God’s care for Jacob’s sons is a colorful and majestic portrayal of that theme. Listen, as Joseph explains it:

“God sent me before you to preserve life.” With one sentence Joseph sets all the suffering he had endured in the context of God’s purpose. He didn’t blame God. He praised God. He couldn’t always see God’s purpose. But now he saw. Providence is that way. You can’t see it up close. You have to stand back to see it. You wait for it. Someday you’ll see it. Wait and see.

“God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth.” Joseph saw that God’s purpose was bigger than himself. It included his brethren also. God had blessed him that he might bless his brothers. That’s providence. The selfish can’t see it. Their view isn’t broad enough. To see providence you must understand that more than you and your personal happiness matters.

“It was not you who sent me here, but God.” Joseph saw that God’s purpose was so big as to use the evil choices of his brothers. Their plans and jealousy had played right into God’s hands. That’s providence again. To really see it, you have to see past the injustices you suffer, to believe that God really works all things together for good.

That’s providence. It’s out of sight.

Jason Moore