WHAT IF!?

I believe I can speak confidently when I say that we have all said the phrase “what if” before. We have wondered it when it comes to relational decisions, financial decisions, and even personal decisions.

“What if” is something we may not think about when we look at the life of Joseph, but if you stick with me for just a moment, you’ll pick up what I am putting down(or whatever the cool kids are saying)

Joseph is someone we would say is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are a lot of similarities and parallels we can see between Jesus and Joseph; and we will see more of this as we go through Genesis. For now, I just wanted to plant this seed and bring it to your attention!

Josephs family tree is a crazy one. And we are introduced to a 17 year old Joseph here in chapter 37. Here in our passage, Joseph is shown to us a dreamer. He told these dreams to his own family, and they ridiculed him for it. His “dreaming” was even what sent his brothers over the edge and caused them to sell Joseph into slavery. Joseph didn’t deserve any of this. He didn’t dream THIS life. He didn’t plan for all of this to happen to him! Here is the devotion today, and I’ll be brief, but follow along with my chain of thought!

WHAT IF Joseph didnt have a crazy and messed up family? He would have never had brothers that sold him into slavery!

IF Joseph was never sold into slavery? He would have never been taken to Egypt.

IF he was never taken to Egypt, he would have never ended up with Potiphar.

IF he wasn’t with Potiphar, he would have never been accused of sleeping with Potiphars wife.

IF he was never accused, he would have never been put in prison.

IF he was never put in prison, he would have never met the baker and butler of Pharaoh.

IF he had never met them, he would have never been able to interpret their dreams

IF he had never interpreted their dreams, he would have never been able to interpret Pharaohs dream.

IF he didn’t interpret Pharaos dream, he would have never been put as 2nd in command of the nation of Egypt.

IF he was never put as 2nd in command, he couldn’t have wisely prepared for the famine.

IF he didn’t wisely prepare for the famine, his family back in Canaan would have died.

IF they had died, Jesus(the Messiah) could not have come from a dead family!

IF the Messiah didnt come, we are all dead in our sins and have no hope!

All of this hinges, on “what if”. You know what, your situation may seem grim. You may not be in the best of circumstances. Your life may not be what you thought it would be! But I can promise you this, God knew it from the start! God has had a plan from the beginning! And you and I can honestly take joy and comfort in the “what if’s” of life, becsause we know that they will eventually lead us to where we are suppsoed to be!