Have you ever found yourself in circumstances that caused you to wonder, “Where are you God?” You know, a time when you’ve thought, “If God’s really in charge, why are things the way they are?” “Why doesn’t He do something?!”
Joseph, whose circumstances are the focus of this last section of Genesis, may have asked these same questions. There is no mention of God or His actions in Joseph’s life during the episode reported in this week’s passage. God appears mysteriously silent at this point. At first glance, it might seem that God is altogether absent from the matters surrounding the threats and harm Joseph endured. While God appears to be silent, we will soon see, it was no sign of His absence. In fact, The Lord is the main character in the highly charged drama featured in Genesis 37. He’s not mentioned by name, but as you look back on these incidents down the road, you’ll be able to see God’s hand all over it. It reminds us that God “works all things according to the counsel of His will.” (Ephesians 1:11) ALL things. Even things that don’t seem to make sense from our immediate perspective. Even things that hurt or are confusing in the moment.
This Sunday, we’ll take a look at a number of ways God was at work through the seemingly unfortunate circumstances of Jospeph’s life. And from them we’ll draw encouragement and hope when we feel God is “silent” in our own circumstances. God may appear silent, but He’s in no way absent.
