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A High View of God  

By Judith L. Baumgartner, Ph.D.      

May 21 - May 23, 2013 Edition

Genesis 45:4-8

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

Joseph had a high view of God.  He was confident that God had his life in His hands and that nothing would happen without the great I AM’s permission.  Moreover, he believed God was efficient and would not waste one ounce of suffering.  He affirmed his beliefs when he told his brothers that it was not them or their overpowering strength that gave him over to the Egyptians, but it was God’s design.  He considered everything that his life consisted of to be part of God’s plan - all for the ultimate good of His people.

Joseph’s high view of God, that He would take care of him wherever he was - regardless of the circumstances in which he was placed, shows great and uncompromising faith.  Though some might say that they don’t see the victory of Joseph’s life - that he died a slave on foreign soil - it is not apparent from Joseph’s account.  With his high view of God, Joseph was free in the Lord irrespective of the situation he was in or where he was.

     

Father, may we have that high view of You that Joseph had.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen!

In His Service and For His Glory,

Dr. Judith L. Baumgartner