As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 

Genesis 50:20

Without a doubt, this is my favourite verse in the entire Bible. When I first read these words, I was struck dumb! There is a lot going on here, so I thought that today—for my first proper post—I would share what makes this my favourite Bible verse of 35,549 possible verses I have to choose from. (That’s the number of verses in a Catholic Bible—not a Protestant one.)

Context

Of course, no verse stands on its own: they all need to be read in context. The Catechism states that we must pay heed “to the content and unity of the whole Scripture,” (CCC 112) so I cannot simply pluck the verse from its context and hope to gain anything from it.

The story goes like this: Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Israel, is sold into slavery by his eleven brothers who envy him, and is taken to Egypt. However, Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams won him favour in Pharaoh’s court, and he escapes slavery, rising to become a powerful and influential man. Then, one day, Joseph interprets a dream that told of seven years of agricultural prosperity followed by seven years of famine. Because of this, Egypt was able to prepare for the famine by stockpiling grain, which was later distributed according to Joseph’s instruction. It was Joseph’s ability and action that saved the people from starvation.

During this famine, Joseph’s brothers (apart from Benjamin) come to Egypt looking for grain, and run into him there. At first they don’t recognise him, and Joseph doesn’t reveal his identity. Instead, Joseph sends his brothers for Benjamin, upon whose arrival he demands is kept as his slave. Judah (one of his brothers) pleads with Joseph, saying that he would take Benjamin’s place as a slave. Moved by this display, Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, weeps, and tells them all his story. Then he sends for their father, Israel, to come to Egypt, who is overjoyed to see his son alive after so many years. Soon, however, Israel finds himself on his deathbed, and it is here that our verse comes into play:

When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil which we did to him.”  … His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Fear not, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. …

Genesis 50:15, 18–20

Reconciliation

The first thing that amazed me about Joseph’s story was not simply that he forgave his brothers even after everything they did to him, but how they were able to reconcile with one another despite the wedge that (ultimately) sin drove between the brothers.

… So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he reassured them and comforted them.

Genesis 50:21

I think the temptation not to forgive someone who’s hurt you—and I believe everybody probably has some example of this from their own life—is quite understandable, which is why the level of forgiveness on display is quite inspiring. He “comforted” them even after everything they did, and it’s not as if his brothers weren’t just being a bit mean: they sold him into slavery! Yet he was able to forgive them, as difficult as that can be for us all. How?

God’s Providence

Joseph’s incredible ability to forgive makes a lot more sense when one discovers that it is rooted in the belief that God may bring good even out of evil. Joseph understands that in God’s plan, if he cooperates with God’s grace, then whatever happens to him will be for his own good.

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

It’s as if the Lord had whispered this to Joseph in that moment to give him some reassurance, and to help him realise that while what his brothers did was evil, God could and did bring good out of it despite their intent.

So, for us, as we seek to “forgive those who trespass against us,” perhaps we must try to remember the same: that God has a plan for us, and it’s a good plan. It’s the best plan, even; and as hard as it may sometimes be to accept, even life’s darkest moments can be ordered for our benefit, even if not materially, then always spiritually.