“You Meant Evil Against Me, But God Meant It For Good” (Genesis 50:20)
by Chris Simmons
Beginning in Genesis chapter 37, we read of the interaction between Joseph and his eleven older brothers. We are told in verse 3 that his father “Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons” and in verse 4 that his brothers “saw their father loved him more … so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.” After Joseph shared his dreams from God about how his brethren and family would one day bow before him (verses 5-11), he went to check on the welfare of his brothers and we read in verse 18, “when they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.” Their plan was to “kill him and throw him into one of the pits” (verse 20) while they explained to their father that “a wild beast devoured him.” Joseph’s brother Reuben suggested they not kill him but simply throw him into a pit. After doing so, we know that his brothers saw a “caravan of Ishmaelites” on their way to Egypt and they sold him to them, who then took Joseph to Egypt and sold him “Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard.” The hatred and evil of Joseph’s brothers had cost him his freedom, his family, and all that he had and caused him to be taken hundreds of miles from his home and all that he loved.
We then read in Genesis chapter 39, Joseph remained faithful to God and that Potiphar noticed (verse 2) “that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand.” I’d suggest that the only reason Potiphar would know that the Lord was with Joseph was because Joseph had told Potiphar about the Lord and demonstrated his faith in him. Later however, while serving Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife lusted after Joseph and said to him “Lie with me.” Joseph refused to do “this great evil and sin against God” (verse 8). In verse 12, we read how Joseph once again refused her advances and “fled outside.” She then lied and told Potiphar that Joseph had attacked her, and in verses 19-20, Potiphar’s “anger burned” and he threw Joseph into prison. The evil of his brothers was compounded by the evil of Potiphar’s wife. Because of them, he’s not only been sold into slavery in a foreign country, but falsely accused of rape and unjustly imprisoned.
We know that God continued to be with Joseph and God blessed him and granted to him the ability to interpret the dreams of two fellow prisoners in chapter 40. In chapter 41, one of those men (Pharaoh’s cupbearer) finally remembered Joseph when Pharaoh had a dream, and after Joseph interpreted his dream also, Pharaoh promoted Joseph to be “over all the land of Egypt” (41:41). With wisdom from God, Joseph then saved Egypt and the world (including his own family) from famine. Joseph finally revealed himself to his brothers in chapter 45 and he is reunited with his father in chapter 46. After Israel’s death, Joseph’s brothers were worried that he might exact some revenge (50:15) against them and for the first time seek his forgiveness in verse 17. Joseph reminds them in verse 19 that it’s God’s place to pronounce any judgment but then stated in verse 20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” Joseph was convinced of the evil they meant against him but he was also assured that God was able to use their evil to help bring about good “to preserve many people alive.”
Throughout the scriptures, we see repeated examples of God taking the evil meant against His servants and turning it into good.
For example, we read of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego in Daniel chapter 3 and how that Nebuchadnezzar and certain Chaldeans meant evil against them, but God brought about good. After God delivered them from the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar said in verse 28, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him.” Consider in the same book of Daniel (chapter 6) the evil intended by Daniel’s two fellow commissioners who deceived King Darius into casting Daniel into the lion’s den. After God delivered Daniel, note the good that God brought about when King Darius decreed in verse 26, “that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; for He is the living God and enduring forever; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed and His dominion will be forever.”
We also note the apostle Paul in Acts chapter 21 when Jewish leaders meant evil against Paul when they had him arrested and attempted to kill him. But much like with Joseph, God brought about much good from their evil intentions. Paul was eventually brought to Rome where he continued and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. We read in Acts 28:23 that in his imprisonment, “they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus.” Acts 28 ends with verses 30-31 stating Paul “stayed two full years in his own rented quarter and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” They meant evil against Paul, but God brought about good.
Finally, we need to think of the evil meant against our Lord Jesus Christ when they crucified Him on the cross. In Acts chapter 2, Peter begins his sermon by pointing out the evil they intended against Jesus in verses 22-23. He finishes the sermon in verse 24 and following by pointing out the good that God brought about when He “raised Him up again” and then exalting Him “to the right hand of God” (verse 33) where He now reigns. Summarizing both the evil intended and good brought about by God in verse 36, Peter said: “Let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ – this Jesus whom you crucified.” The good God brought about through their evil is the salvation of our souls.
It’s not a matter of if, but when, evil will be intended against God’s faithful servants today (II Timothy 3:12; Acts 14:22; I Peter 4:12-14). The question is, when others afflict us with evil for righteousness sake, will we be equipped to endure until the good comes? We read about the evil brought against Christians in Hebrews 10:32-34 and against all of God’s faithful in Hebrews 11:32-38 with the corresponding exhortation in Hebrews 10:35, “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.” We need to remember that when it comes to the evil meant against you and me, God also means it for good, including our maturation and perfection (James 1:2-4). That good ultimately is our eternal salvation as Peter wrote in I Peter 1:7-9 that the “proof our your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ … obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”
The inspired apostle Paul sought to focus the hearts and minds of his brethren in Rome on the good that God can bring about in times of suffering and persecution. We read in Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” I believe the “all things” in verse 28 refers back to verse 18 where we read of the “the sufferings of this present time” that are “not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to us.” May we patiently and faithfully endure the evil that others bring against us “for the sake of righteousness” (Matthew 5:10; cf. I Peter 4:15-16) knowing that we serve a God who has promised us that He will bring about the “good” whether through opportunities to preach and teach the gospel to others (cf. Luke 21:12-13) or through the reward of a crown of life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).