Genesis 50:19-20. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
The life that God offers us is only possible through death and resurrection. Only in losing our life do we find the life of God. This is how the curse is reversed. This is how hope is found. We must lose in order to gain. We must die in order to live.
Death and resurrection is the ongoing pattern of Genesis. Noah in the ark. The barrenness of Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel. Abraham offering Isaac. Jacob wrestling with God. Each story is a picture of death becoming life. Evil transformed into good by God.
Genesis ends with this same hope filled theme – you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good. This is not only the climax of the Genesis story; it is the story of the whole Bible. It is the salvation plan of God. God is at work restoring life to humanity. Bringing good from evil. Blessing through the curse. Life from death.
In the garden, Joseph’s ancestors chose the knowledge of good and evil over the life of God. They wanted to stand in God’s place. They wanted self-righteousness as their rule for life. But now, as Genesis comes to an end, Joseph stands before his brothers refusing to take the place of God. His rule of life has become trust in God’s righteousness, not his own.
Joseph is a clear picture of what an image bearer is supposed to be. He refuses to be “like God”, and humbly embraces his humanity. He rules in the image of Pharaoh himself, but more importantly with the mercy and justice of God. He serves and protects the poor and needy around him. He practices a form of justice that seeks to restore the humanity of his brothers. He tests their love, forcing them to choose their brother Benjamin over themselves, and through this testing they too are reborn.
In all of this, Joseph also offers a clear preview of Christ. Rejected by his own people. Left for dead in a pit. Battling temptation. Enslaved by Gentiles. Caring for those same Gentiles. Taking a Gentile bride. Rising to power. Ruling at the right hand of the king. Restoring his own people. Saving the world. Each detail of Joseph’s amazing life points us to our Savior King.
Beyond his similar circumstance to Jesus’, Joseph’s life previews what to live is Christ really means. Joseph has risen from death to life. Not just to earthly power and prosperity in Egypt, but to the heavenly life of Christ. The life of dependence upon God. The life of faith in God’s goodness and justice. The life of forgiveness and kindness. The life of repaying evil with good. The life of freedom that comes when you believe that God can turn all evil into good.
To live is Christ is never faith in a false promise that God will prevent evil in our lives. But it is faith in a promise that God will weave that same evil into something beautiful in you. That beauty is Christ himself. As we suffer evil and trust God’s grace, we are being transformed into the goodness of Christ our Savior. God’s goodness that can overcome any evil. God’s goodness that already has overcome all evil through the death of Christ – the ultimate evil made good.
You: Where are you facing evil today? In what way are you trying to stand in the place of God?
You in Christ: In Christ, all evil will be made into good. That good is the character of Christ formed in you. Where can you see evil being formed into Christ’s good in your life?
Christ in you: Is there a place where you can overcome evil with God’s goodness today? An enemy to love and restore? Forgiveness to give? A sacrifice to make?
To Live is Christ 