Texts in Conversation
In Genesis 50, Joseph tells his brothers they meant to harm him, but God intended it for good. Paul in Romans echoes the same conviction, saying that God works all things together for good for those who love him.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Genesis 50:20
Hebrew Bible
19 But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day. 21 So now, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your little children.” Then he consoled them and spoke kindly to them.
Romans 8:28
New Testament
27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will. 28 And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, 29 because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
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Notes and References
... The idea is found a third time, pronounced by Joseph himself: “What you meant as evil God has meant for good” (Genesis 50:20 compare Romans 8:28). Once the evil is situated in God’s plan, it can be turned to good. What the Brothers intended by evil God has used for good, to provide fecundity and life for the People of Israel. Joseph assures them, and speaks to their hearts (50:21b). He tries to convince them, but we are not given the answer of the Brothers. Are they able to discover God’s plan, accept Joseph’s forgiveness? ...
Letellier, Robert Ignatius
Creation, Sin and Reconciliation: Reading Primordial and Patriarchal Narrative in the Book of Genesis
(p. 273) Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2015
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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