Even difficult paths can be part of a divine plan as the story of Joseph shows impressively. Those who believe in God’s love learn to recognise the beginnings of new hope even in suffering and guilt.
Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider conducted the divine service for the departed in Lagos in Nigeria on 2 March 2025. He based his sermon on Genesis 50: 20: “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.”
Photos: NAC Nigeria
The story: from slave to viceroy in Egypt
Egypt. Joseph, Jacob’s favourite son, was sold into slavery at the age of 17 by his jealous brothers. Despite years of hardship in Egypt, Joseph did not remain unnoticed for long: he won the trust of his master Potiphar. But then, after Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of making advances on her, he ended up in prison. Even there, Joseph’s luck did not run out. He found favour with the overseer of the prison and helped fellow prisoners, although initial ingratitude delayed his release. It was not until he was 30 that Joseph was finally released and quickly rose to become Pharaoh’s right hand.
When a severe famine struck in Canaan, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food, unaware that they were standing in front of their brother. Joseph put them to the test, but when they refused to hand over their youngest brother Benjamin, he revealed his identity. Joseph forgave them and had his whole family move to Egypt. Thanks to his foresight, the land of Egypt was saved from famine.
The explanation: God makes the rules and is merciful
The story of Joseph and his brothers provides insight into how God acts, what values are important to Him, and how human beings can act in accordance with His will. Chief Apostle Schneider explained this.
- God was with Joseph. “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man,” it says. And indeed God was with him. He was successful in the house of Potiphar.
- God pursued His plan. “He was with Joseph. But not to make sure that he had a wonderful and easy life. He was with Joseph to fulfil the promise He had given to Abraham and Jacob.”
- Joseph was able to be a blessing because he remained faithful and obedient in all circumstances. Both in good times and bad.
- God did not reject Joseph’s brothers. “Although they had committed a terrible sin by selling their youngest brother and lying to their father, God did not reject them.”
- The brothers had to confess their sin. “But to be saved, the brothers first had to repent. It took them a long time, 13 years in fact, to realise this.”
- The brothers had to go to the place determined by God. “God did not say, ‘Okay, stay there. I will manage to find some fine food for you.’ No, He told them, ‘Go to Egypt. That is the place of salvation.’”
The lessons for us: love and redemption belong together
“We can draw a number of lessons from this story that are relevant both for us and for the departed,” Chief Apostle Schneider said.
- We must believe in God’s love. “You cannot assess God’s love for you when you look at your life on earth. You must consider the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.”
- Let us not judge our neighbour. “You cannot judge somebody just by looking at their life on earth.” Some have done nothing wrong and suffer like Joseph did, the Chief Apostle said. That is “why we must not judge our neighbour”.
- God’s salvation consists of eternal life. God’s plan is to save all human beings. But His salvation lies in eternal life, not in the solving of earthly problems.
- Salvation is linked to repentance. We must be repentant to receive grace. We must recognise that we are sinners and not look for an excuse. Don’t try to explain your behaviour. Don’t try to minimise your sins just because others have committed far greater sins.
- God has created a place of redemption. “We must go to the place that God has chosen. To be saved, we must go to the church of Christ.”
- “We are called to be a blessing for others here on earth by doing God’s will and doing good. But we have also been called to be a blessing for all human beings in the kingdom of peace.”