Genesis 45:1-11 & 50:15-21

Since many of us have known the Joseph story from childhood, it can be hard for us to read it again the way it was intended; namely, without the end in mind.  It’s a story of tremendous drama and intrigue that at its very lowest point (i.e. 40:23) leaves both Joseph and the reader wondering why God would be so cruel.  And as Joseph’s ascendance out of prison progresses, we’re meant to share in the astonishment of the brothers as they learn how all of this apparent treachery and injustice actually served to get Joseph right where God wanted him to be…saving the lives of many.   This is, of course, a foreshadowing of exactly what God does in the cross of Jesus Christ.  We’ll have opportunity this Sunday to lean into the hope that God is using our apparently meaningless suffering in much the same way: to get us where he wants us to be–for the sake of his kingdom and glory.