The biblical narrative of Joseph, the young man who was sold into slavery by his own brothers and then became a ruler in Egypt, ends with the well-known declaration of Joseph to his brothers: “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” (Gen. 50:20).
This statement is often cited by readers of the Bible in attempts to understand how God works in and through the events that occur in the lives of his people. Because of such interest in the verse, it is worth our time to look at it more carefully. First, we should try to understand what this verse means in its original narrative context, and then we can consider what significance it might have for us as Christians today.
The familiar story of Joseph and his brothers is found in Genesis 37–50. Joseph’s brothers sold Joseph into Egyptian slavery due to their jealousy of him. Through a long series of events, including the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph became second in command of all Egypt. When the famine occurred, which was revealed through Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain from him, not knowing that he was their brother. Joseph first tested his brothers to see what was in their heart. Culminating in the speech of Judah in Genesis 44, who declared his willingness to remain in Egypt in place of Benjamin, the brothers demonstrated they had changed. Joseph then revealed who he was to his brothers and told them, “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.” (Gen. 45:5). At the very end of this narrative, in Genesis 50, their father Jacob was dead. Now the brothers were concerned that Joseph might take revenge on them for what they did to him, and he responded with our verse (50:20), reassuring them that he had truly forgiven them.
As we consider the significance of this verse in the story of Joseph and his brothers, we should remember that they were not an ordinary family. God had a very particular plan for this family. It would become the nation of Israel. God promised to use this people to be a blessing to all the nations of the world (see Gen. 12:1–3). In the course of the Genesis narrative, God made additional promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their descendants (see Gen 15:18–21; 17:6–8; 22:17–18; 26:3–4; 28:13–15; 35:11–12). In order to keep his promises to this family, God placed Joseph in a position of authority in Egypt where he could provide for them and save them from the famine.
As we read Genesis 50:20 and focus on the good that God brought from Joseph’s forced journey to Egypt, we should also keep in mind what Joseph had to endure before seeing that good result. In Egypt, Joseph experienced 13 years of hardship and ill-treatment in slavery and imprisonment (compare Gen. 37:2 and 41:46). Furthermore, we should realize that this good plan of God also included countless descendants of Joseph and his brothers being subjected to slavery and dying as slaves during the next 400 years they would spend in Egypt (see Ex. 1–2).
While God clearly brought good from the brothers’ actions, it did not happen immediately and did not eliminate the significant suffering of Joseph and those who came after him. So, what does Genesis 50:20 mean in context? In this particular case, God used the evil that the brothers intended in order to get Joseph to the place where he could save them. God had a very special plan for this family and had promised to make them a great nation. Therefore, he would not allow this family line to be cut off by the famine. He used the actions of the brothers and their evil motives in order to bring about his larger plan of salvation, for this family and beyond.
Now that we see what this verse means within the Genesis narrative, we want to consider what the significance of Genesis 50:20 is for us. Can we apply this verse as a general rule that God always turns evil into good? Can we conclude that no matter how much evil is done by people, God will bring about more good from it? To answer the second question, we can look to the biblical picture of eternity and conclude that, ultimately, more good will be experienced by God’s people. But what about now, in this life, does this passage make promises to us?
Genesis 50:20 is part of a narrative describing events that happened to the family of Jacob in the distant past. This narrative is not a promise that God will do this exact thing in every instance. It is not an absolute statement that anytime something bad happens, God will automatically bring more good from that circumstance. We cannot read narratives in this way. Narratives describe what God has done, and therefore, what he can do—but not necessarily what he will do in some other circumstance.
As we think about its relevance to us, it would be appropriate to consider New Testament teachings on the subject. The following passage from Romans is often seen as a New Testament corollary to our passage from Genesis 50:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom. 8:28–29).
This passage contains a more general statement of the way that God acts on behalf of his people. In Romans 8:28, Paul states categorically that, “for those who love God all things work together for good.” But what does this mean? What “good” does God intend to come from all things? The following verse gives us the specific answer. The “good” that God primarily cares about for us is that we are being conformed to the image of his Son. Therefore, what is under discussion is not our circumstances but our sanctification.
In the particular case of Joseph and his brothers, God ultimately brought better circumstances for that family and their descendants through the evil intentions of the brothers. But we as Christians do not have the promise that God will improve our circumstances at every turn. Instead, we have the greater promise that he will use all of our circumstances—both good and bad—to bring us closer to his Son.
It is, therefore, essential that we align our understanding of what is “good” with that of God. If we do so, we will be able to see how he is using every situation that we experience to conform us into the image of his Son.
Here is an example: If one of my fellow Christians loses his job, I can’t assure him that God is going to provide him with a better job. God simply does not promise that he will do this. He may be out of work for an extended period of time. Maybe it will turn out that a great new opportunity presents itself that he wouldn’t have been open to if he still had the other job. But he might have to take a position that does not pay as well and does not fit his skill set as well. However, no matter what the particular circumstances are, if he goes through the experience of a job loss, God will be using that experience to make him more like Christ. See what Paul states:
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:12–13)
Paul’s ability to handle any circumstance he faces in life is something he has learned to do—through the strength God provides. These experiences helped make Paul be more like Jesus, who was able to face any and all circumstance, including his own death, with full trust in God.
From this NT teaching, we should recognize that the good that God brings from our problems, struggles, etc. may be different than the “good” we might expect. Christlikeness is always God’s desire for us; therefore, he is using all our experiences toward that end. Let us be encouraged as we trust in God who intends to bring this good from any evil that may befall us.
