Genesis 50:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

NASB: As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.

CSB: You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result--the survival of many people.

NLT: You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

KJV: But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

NKJV: 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.

The statement made here brilliantly summarizes the difference between God allowing something, God deliberately causing something, and God "doing nothing" in response to human needs. Even when human beings try to do evil—and even when they succeed—God is still able to use those efforts to accomplish a greater good. This landmark verse makes no excuse for human sin, while emphasizing that events we cannot understand are still part of God's greater plan (Romans 8:28).

In the previous verse, Joseph tried to calm his brothers' fear that he would revenge on them (Genesis 50:15–18). He had already forgiven, already submitted vengeance to God, and already accepted that he was not in any position to question God's choices (Genesis 50:19).

Joseph does not downplay what they did to him. Selling him into slavery as a teenage boy was evil (Genesis 37:26–28), and they meant it for evil—there was no good intention behind their act. They know full well they are guilty of that (Genesis 42:21–22). As he has done before (Genesis 45:5–7), Joseph insists that God's power and God's plan for His people is more powerful than the ability of mere human beings to do evil to each other. He is convinced that not only was God ultimately responsible for allowing the evil act to happen, but He also mysteriously built it into a larger plan to save His people—and many others—from the ravages of a deadly drought.

Without his thirteen years of suffering (Genesis 37:2; 41:46), Joseph would not have been gifted with eighty years of immense power and prestige (Genesis 41:46; 50:26). Joseph even named his two eldest sons in recognition of this (Genesis 41:50–52). Both during and after his hard times, Joseph always maintained faith that God was in control.

To the modern world, this is a startling and unusual perspective. And yet, it's how God asks Christians to view our lives, as well. Romans 8:28 insists that "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." As Joseph's example clearly shows, this is not a promise that evil will never happen to God's people. Rather, it is assurance that He still cares for us (Romans 8:31) and that nothing will separate us from His love for us in Christ (Romans 8:34–38).

Genesis 50:15–21 reveals that Joseph's brothers are consumed with guilt and fear after their father's death. They worry Joseph has been waiting for Jacob to die before taking revenge. This would not be unexpected, as they cruelly sold Joseph into slavery as a teenager (Genesis 37:26–28). The brothers attempt to appease Joseph with a message, supposedly from Jacob, but he tells them not to be afraid. In one of Scripture's most pivotal remarks, Joseph explains his conviction that, though their intent was evil, God's good purposes were behind everything that had happened. Despite their bad intentions, God used their acts to save many lives. Joseph assures them he will not harm them.

Genesis 50 begins with Joseph's weeping over his father's body, followed by the embalming of Jacob, a 70–day period of state mourning, and a trip to Canaan to bury Jacob with his fathers. Joseph's brothers, worried that he would take his revenge on them for selling him into slavery, seek Joseph's forgiveness. He assures them he will not harm them. The chapter skips to the end of Joseph's life. After assuring his people that God will return them to Canaan one day, Joseph dies and is embalmed.

After settling in Egypt, under his son's protection (Genesis 47—49), Jacob dies (Genesis 49:33). He is embalmed and all of Egypt mourns. Joseph buries his father in the family tomb in Canaan, then returns to Egypt. He asks that his body be taken back to Canaan someday. This sets up the events of the book of Exodus. Over centuries, Israel will grow into a prosperous people, only to be enslaved by a jealous Egyptian monarchy. This provides a context for God to rescue Israel and demonstrate His power.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.