From Crown Of Thorns To Crown Of Glory

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.

Psalm 105:16-17

The nation of Israel was in its infancy, only about seventy-five in number. They were living as strangers and nomads in the land of Canaan. They were “few in number, a tiny group of strangers in Canaan” (Psalm 105:12). But God intended to grow them into a mighty nation, great both in number and in character. He intended for them to possess the land where they now lived as wanderers. He had revealed his will, but his ways are beyond understanding (see Romans 11:33). Don’t be discouraged about what he is doing because of how he is doing it.

What did God need to do in order to make his will for Israel a reality? He needed to give Israel a safe place to grow, prosper, learn skills, and multiply. He needed to put them under the protection of a larger, more advanced civilization for a time. He needed them in Egypt, so “he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—Joseph, who was sold as a slave” (Psalm 105:17).

God had promised Joseph that he would be a great leader. Now it looked as if Joseph’s evil brothers had sent him to Egypt and God’s will was being thwarted. But Joseph explained it later to his brothers like this: “God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you!” (Genesis 45:7-8). God used seemingly adverse circumstances to position Joseph for receiving the promise.

How did God get Israel out of Canaan and into Egypt? “He called for a famine on the land of Canaan, cutting off its food supply” (Psalm 105:16). He brought famine on the land, but first he prepared their deliverance in Egypt. What appeared to be a disaster and a tragedy drove God’s people to the place of God’s provision.

Father, when it seems that everything is working against me, remind me that, in truth, everything is working for me.

The strong hands of God twisted the crown of thorns into a crown of glory; and in such hands we are safe.

Charles Williams(1886–1945), English writer and lay theologian