Advent ~Nine~

“Whatever happens, whatever unfolds, whatever unravels, you can never be undone.”
                                           -Ann Voskamp

In her writing today, Ann uses the story of Joseph in Genesis 37 and 50.  Here’s a refresher….Joseph was his daddy’s favorite. Jacob, his father, had a special robe made for Joseph.  The other brothers, in crazed jealousy, sold Joseph into slavery, bloodied his beautiful robe with goat’s blood and lied to their father that Joseph had met a violent death.  Dysfunction junction!  And, by the way, the lineage of Jesus…

In the last few chapters of Genesis, we find Joseph restored to his father and his brothers restored to him.  Because of his brother’s hatred and cruel jealousy, he had endured prison, false accusations, false rape charges, abandonment by people he had helped, and loss of years with his family.  Yet, because of God’s favor, he rose to a prominent position in the Egyptian Pharaoh’s government. As he faces his brothers in Genesis 50, he says this to them…”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.  So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” He comforted them and spoke kindly to them.