Genesis 50:20

Genesis 50:20

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.

Abraham’s great-grandson, Joseph, spoke these words to his brothers after enduring a long, painful history with them. They had plotted to kill him because he was their father’s favorite child. Thankfully they changed their minds and sold him into slavery instead, yet they lied to their father about his fate. Years later, Joseph came face-to-face with his brothers again, but this time he was the one in power and chose to forgive them. After their father died, his brothers were still afraid of retribution from Joseph and fell down before him, begging for forgiveness. When Joseph answered them with the words in this passage, it demonstrated that God is able to use anything—even human sin—to bring about good. If you have been harmed, or if you have regretfully harmed another, take comfort in remembering this.