He called for a famine in the land; He destroyed all the provision of bread. He sent a man before them — Joseph— who was sold as a slave. (Psalm 105:16-17)

For the next several verses, the psalmist recounts the story of Joseph, specifically calling attention to the great purpose He served on behalf of God’s people. The prominent element of the story is the suffering and persecution that had to be endured in order for that purpose to be realized. Joseph certainly suffered much but, in reality, he wasn’t the only one — many were compelled to endure the famine that, in turn, set the stage for the deliverance of Jacob and his family. Because God had ordained that Israel must sojourn in Egypt, He declared that a famine would affect all the nations of the world, including Canaan, thus forcing Jacob to relocate to Egypt.

Egypt was also affected by the famine but, as we know, this allowed for Joseph to rise to a position of power and influence whereby he might rule all Pharaoh’s possessions, “bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his elders wisdom” (Psalm 105:21-22). Let’s not miss this point: God imposed suffering on friend and foe alike, in order to perform His will in regard to His people. He destroyed everyone’s provision of bread in order to demonstrate that only Joseph — or shall we say, only God’s people — can provide that which sustains life. In turn, that vein of thought points us to the commission given to all of us — to testify of the resurrected Messiah, the true bread of life, and to make disciples of all nations.

I think it is important to realize that everything that goes on in the world is either orchestrated or allowed by the Almighty. No plan of man, no natural occurrence escapes His attention and will, in some way, play its role in His divine purpose. The things that are occurring right now around the globe are determining the scenario by which He will deliver His people. We may not see it right now, but as Joseph came to understand, what men meant for evil, “God meant it for good, in order to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20). So when hardship and distress impacts the world; when wicked nations rise up against the people of God, let us remember that, in the end, “They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and lick up the dust of your feet” (Isaiah 49:23).

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill