When Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, he says, “I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don’t feel badly, don’t blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it.”

After all Joseph had gone through because of the jealousy and hatred of his brothers, he tries to make it easy on them. He tells them “don’t feel badly.” I would want them to feel badly. I would want to hurt them back somehow. I’d want them to pay for what they had done to me. But Joseph loved his brothers, even though they hated him. He put them through a series of tests to see if their character had changed, but he didn’t want to hurt them. He tells them, “don’t blame yourselves.” I would be so busy blaming them that they wouldn’t have time to blame themselves! But Joseph sees things from a totally different perspective. He sees that in all circumstances of life there is a God who loves him and controls everything. Thus he can confidently assert, “God was behind it.”

I don’t think Joseph understood God’s plan to preserve the nation of Israel from the famine when they sold him. I don’t think Joseph understood God’s plan when Potiphar’s wife accused him of rape! I dont’ think Joseph understood God’s plan when the Butler, forgot him in prison! But even then he knew God was in charge. Now it all came together for Joseph so that he could see that God had done this “to save many people’s lives.”

So remember, when troubles come, even troubles we don’t understand, God has allowed them for a reason. He will work them out for our good and for His purposes in the long run. One day we’ll understand! For now, Just TRUST HIM!