Something Bad Becomes Good
A few months ago, I was doing my early morning bible reading and as I was thinking about the text I had just read I drifted my eyes over and focused on the side table by my chair where I was sitting in our den. With the help from the light on the table I noticed the initials “A.C.” were expertly carved into the table. I don’t recall if I ever had seen these initials before. See picture included. I thought about the hand carved inscription and the initials and I knew it was from my brother, Alan Chandler. It made me remember and think about him. Alan was 6 years older than me. He committed suicide when I was 6. I miss him greatly. I was the youngest in our family and Alan was the oldest of my siblings. I loved any time I got to spend with him and remember many of those times quite well. But being the youngest I didn’t get to spend as much time as I wish I could have.
As I thought about the initials Alan carved into the small side table many years ago (I would guess over 50 years ago) It made me think about what likely happened when my mother discovered his initials in the side table. As you will see in the picture there are also several carved lines in the side wood of the table. The things kids do when we are bored or get frustrated. I suspect Alan carved these other lines as well but I certainly also was quick to use my pocket knife or even a kitchen knife to carve on things that I shouldn’t (kitchen table which is another piece of furniture we have). I suspect when my mother discovered his initials in the table Alan got in trouble and it was certainly viewed as a bad thing.
Oh the stories wood can tell over the centuries. We have a lot of old furniture that was passed down from my mom and family. I love and cherish each of the furniture pieces we now have. It brings back memories of my childhood. This particular hand carved inscription which was likely viewed by my mother and others reading this post as graffiti or defacing, I viewed as something wonderful. A message from my brother Alan for me many years later. A message that was viewed badly when it was originally discovered, that time changed to a message that I viewed favorably and I love and connected me to this time and to my brother. What a blessing. God can turn all things to good. Sometimes it just takes time. God and time can do miraculous things and erase the bad and turn the bad into good with His help.
I was trying to think of a bible story that would align well with this story. I had to phone a good friend and he quickly reminded me about the story of Joseph and his unlikely rise in Egypt.This story is from Genesis 37 - 50. It is a story many of us may know but is always worth rereading and refreshing our memories with God’s sovereignty and providence revealed throughout time.
Joseph was one of the 12 sons of Jacob where later they each became the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. Joseph was the second youngest with Benjamin being the youngest. His mother was Rachel. Jacob (who is also known as Israel) loved Joseph more than all his other sons. Jacob made him a coat of many colors. This affirmation by Jacob made Joseph’s brothers very jealous and they hated Joseph for it and they didn’t speak nicely to him. Joseph had a dream that contributed to the disdain for him by his brothers that they would bow down to Joseph and that he would reign over them and this included both his father Jacob and his mother Rachel. This made his brothers hate him even more so they plotted against him and wanted to kill him. They took his coat of many colors and cast him into a pit and sold him to the Ishalmites who took him to Egypt to be a slave. Jacob thought Joseph was dead.
God had plans for Joseph and even in his captivity he had great success and prospered rising in Potiphar's household and was trusted by Potiphar and God blessed all that he did. Joseph’s rise and success continued and God made all that he did prosper as he had favor with God who showed mercy and favor in His sight. Later Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams when no one else could and Joseph gives God the credit. Joseph explained the dream that there would be a seven year period of plenty followed by a difficult period of famine which will exhaust all of their plenty but the land will not perish. Pharaoh was pleased with Joseph and put him over his entire house and all his people should be ruled according to Joseph's word. Only Pharaoh and his throne would be greater than Joseph.
During the period of famine Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to get grain. Joseph recognizes them but they don’t recognize Joseph. Joseph accuses them of being spies and doesn't trust them and asks them to bring their other brother back to him so he can question him. He allows his brothers to return to Cannan and bring back his brother Benjamin before Joseph. The brothers return to Joseph along with Benjamin. At last Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and he says that I am your brother who you sold into slavery in Egypt. Joseph also finds out his father is still alive. Joseph forgives his brothers. They go back to Cannan and tell Jacob that Joseph is still alive and that he is governor over all of Egypt. Jacob wants to go see Joseph and gathers his entire family and descendants and travels to Egypt to see Joseph. God’s plan for Joseph all along was to learn forgiveness and to preserve his family's name. Joseph goes to see Jacob once he is in Goshen and when he does he falls at his father’s neck and cries. Jacob then dies and the family is grieving and his brothers are worried that Joseph will seek retribution for what they did to him many years before. His brothers beg for forgiveness for the wrong they committed against Joseph and are now committed servants to Joseph. Joseph cries and explains to them to not be afraid for he is in the place of God. And says from the scripture in Genesis 50:20 (NKJ), “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
Joseph's story of being loved the most by his father and hated by his brothers we can see similarities to the story of Jesus Christ. Others conspired against them both and were sold for silver, and condemned even though they were innocent. Christ, the only begotten son of God who was born of a virgin birth, lived a humble and meek life, died for our sins and rose again on the third day and was seen by Peter and then by the 12 and many others. Christ is humbled and exalted by the power of God.
Also, for us as believers, we will face trials and difficult circumstances during our life on earth. These trials and things we endure are not due to our own sinfulness or lack of obedience but rather is God revealing His kingdom plan for us, the called the elect. Philippians 1:6; “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”
This is a great story of the sovereignty of God and the grace of God along with the importance of forgiveness and faithfulness. Despite being sold into slavery God plan was revealed and God took care of Joseph and therein Joseph was able to preserve his families name and livelihood. Our important takeaways - stay faithful through the trials of life like Joseph did and God will deliver us by His grace. Be humbly watchful for the things of life that may appear to be bad things at one point but with time and God’s help and blessings He later brings about His good. Be sure the lens that we look through is a Christ-like lens that allows us to see light and not darkness. That we learn to be quick to forgive as Christ forgave us by atoning for our sins with His cruel death.
Blessings. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.
Pat