Genesis 41-42

“It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do” (41:28). Every circumstance seemed to be against the survival of Abraham’s family and the fulfillment of God’s covenant. Joseph’s murderous, jealous brothers sold him into slavery, Judah’s family line was nearly wiped out by God (ch 38), and now a terrible famine was about to strike both Canaan and Egypt. Yet God in his mercy used Joseph’s imprisonment to put him near Pharaoh, in order to preserve grain and save lives.

God’s plan to send the Messiah through Abraham’s family could not be thwarted by human sin. Full of compassion and love, he makes a way “so that we may live and not die” (42:2).