God’s Sovereignty In Sending

God’s Sovereignty In Sending

He called for a famine on the land of Canaan, cutting off its food supply. Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—Joseph, who was sold as a slave. There in prison, they bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfill his word, the LORD tested Joseph’s character. –Psalm 105:16-19

In Psalm 105, the psalmist serves as our inspired commentator on the story of Joseph. He outlines for us the invisible hand of God at work—in what on the surface seems like a story of evil intentions, false accusations, broken hearts, and wasted years—to show us instead God’s sovereignty.

On the surface we see Joseph’s jealous brothers’ scheme to get rid of the favored son, as they sold him to slave traders. We see Joseph forgotten for years in Egypt’s prison. But we also see God with him even there, giving him the ability to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, equipping him with the wisdom and opportunity to become second-in-command of Egypt.

The psalmist shows us what we can’t see on the surface, clearly revealing God’s sovereignty at work. He says that God “called for” a famine. God has the power and authority to use the forces of nature, as well as the actions of people, to accomplish his purposes. The psalmist also tells us that God “sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—Joseph.” Though selling Joseph as a slave was a sinful choice made by his brothers, it fulfilled the plans and purposes of God. As John Piper says, “their sinning was God’s sending.”

I don’t know if Joseph could see God’s sovereignty as he served as a slave in the house of Potiphar, as he languished in prison, when he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream of coming famine. But I do know that eventually Joseph embraced the big picture of God’s sovereignty, enabling him to tell his brothers, “Don’t be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. God has sent me here to keep you and your families alive so that you will become a great nation” (Genesis 45:5, 7). More than saying, “God used it,” Joseph says, “God did it.” This is the severe and sometimes unsettling sovereignty of God at work. Are you willing to look for the invisible hand of God at work behind the scenes of your suffering and to embrace his sovereign purpose?

Sovereign Sender, I would not have asked for some of what you have sent into my life, but I believe you are at work and you see what I cannot. Give me eyes to see your invisible hand and faith to trust your loving heart.

DIGGING DEEPER