How Does What the Enemy Meant for Evil Become Good in Joseph's Life?
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You may have heard the Bible verse, "what the enemy intended for evil God used for good" in Sunday School, but where does it come from? It appears in the story of Joseph.
Joseph's story resonates with believers who wonder how God could bring good from evil, regardless of its origin. Whether sickness, a struggling business, divorce, etc., resting in God's sovereignty is vital to remaining strong and faithful to our calling.
It's a familiar story, and sometimes familiarity can breed complacency. But, in a world without certainty, we can find hope and peace in Joseph's story. As we shall see, it is also our story.
Where Does Joseph Say 'What the Enemy Meant for Evil…' in the Bible?
In Genesis 50:20, Joseph makes a statement showing a deep hope and trust in God, a hope and trust difficult for the world to grasp: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
To fully appreciate the weight of this verse, we must go back and consider the context of the story leading up to this moment.
Genesis 37:3 tells us that Israel (Jacob) loved Joseph more than his other sons because he was born when Israel was a man of old age. To express his love, he made a richly adorned robe for Joseph.
The favor made Joseph's brothers angry and jealous. Later, Joseph tells them of two recent dreams with the same theme: his supremacy over them. The decision caused those seeds of anger to take root and eventually come to fruition.
At the age of seventeen, Joseph finds his brothers grazing the flocks. Genesis 37:18 says the moment they saw Joseph, they plotted to kill him. All but Reuben and Judah agreed. Still, the brothers stripped the robe from Joseph and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to Midianite merchants passing by on their way to Egypt. The merchants later sold Joseph to Potiphar, a Pharaoh official and the captain of the guard.
What the enemy meant for evil in selling Joseph to merchants in Egypt, God meant for good.
How Does What the Enemy Meant for Evil Make Joseph a Ruler and Savior?
Genesis 39:2 says the LORD was with Joseph. He found favor in Potiphar's eyes, leading to his being in charge of everything he owned. Unfortunately for Joseph, Potiphar's wife attempted to lure him into sin, and when he refused, she fabricated a story that landed him in prison.
But even there, the LORD was with him. Genesis 39:21 says He showed Joseph kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden, so the warden put Joseph in charge. What the enemy meant for evil in being unjustly imprisoned, God meant for good.
While imprisoned, God interpreted two dreams through Joseph for fellow inmates—the cupbearer and baker of Pharoah, the King of Egypt. In return, Joseph asked them to mention him to Pharoah because he was unjustly sent to prison. Two years later, Pharoah brings Joseph to him after having a dream that no one could interpret. In Genesis 41:16, Joseph tells him he cannot interpret the dreams but that God would give him the answers.
The dream interpreted seven years of abundance in Egypt, followed by seven years of severe famine. Pharoah needed to find a wise and discerning man to oversee the land, and no one was wiser or more perceptive than Joseph. "You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you" (Genesis 41:40).
Joseph became second in command, which included directing the people and resources for the coming famine. In doing so, Joseph's wisdom, work ethic, and kindheartedness saved the people who would have indeed died from starvation.
Two years into the famine, Jacob sent his sons, all but Benjamin, who was the youngest, to Egypt to purchase grain. During their first journey to Egypt, Joseph, who sold the grain, recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. He purposefully accused them of being spies but told them they needed to return home and bring the son who was left behind for him to believe their innocence. Later, after eating all the grain, the brothers returned to Egypt with Benjamin. Preparing to return home, the ten brothers begged Joseph to allow Benjamin to go with them, as it would break Jacob's heart to lose another beloved son.
With that, Joseph could no longer contain his tears or identity. "And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh's house heard about it." (Genesis 45:2)
Joseph shared his identity and the reason for his grace toward them in Genesis 45:4-5. "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." In verses 7-8, Joseph adds how God sent him ahead to preserve a remnant on earth and to save their lives by a great deliverance. "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God."
What the enemy meant for evil in giving Joseph cause for retribution, God made good.
Does What the Enemy Meant for Evil Mature Joseph?
The words 'and Joseph was put in charge' throughout his story reflect his growing wisdom, discernment, leadership abilities, and righteous heart.
Some believe that God using what the enemy meant for evil focuses solely on the brother's actions that drove Joseph to Egypt. Arriving in Egypt allowed him to ultimately provide salvation to his family, save them when the famine arrived.
Others, however, believe God used what the enemy meant for evil for a soul-making theodicy. Theologians use this term to describe times when God seems to allow suffering that will produce the traits Paul talks about in Romans 5:3-5. Paul writes that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Perhaps God used the evil events in Joseph's life to humble and mature him, making rough places smooth and turning weaknesses into strength.
Harsh as this second view sounds, it would explain much of the text. Joseph's adorned coat and dreams may have led to a touch of arrogance or carelessness. Joseph's prophetic dreams suggested he receive the largest inheritance and become the family leader. He also must have known his brothers could react violently to him describing the dreams. Two of his older brothers had recently revenged a crime by slaughtering every man in a village (Genesis 34). Confidence in God's plan is good, but it doesn't negate the need to discern how we share it.
In either case, God's sovereignty is a significant theme in Joseph's life. Regardless of circumstances, God holds to His promises, and His plan will succeed, giving hope to believers who hold fast to this truth.
God made good by using what the enemy meant for evil to bring a level of maturity that Joseph may not have gained otherwise.
Why Does Joseph Say 'What the Enemy Meant for Evil' After His Father Died?
Joseph had reconciled and met with his brothers before Jacob's death, but the brothers feared that once their father was gone, Joseph would have no reason to continue his graciousness toward them and would take revenge.
After their father's passing, they fell before him in fear, but Joseph put them at ease with these words:
"Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:19-20)
The exact words that brought comfort to his brothers bring comfort to us, confident that no evil, either from outside or within, trumps God's sovereignty. His plan and purposes stand firm.
But that's not the end of the story. Genesis 50:20 holds an encouraging but often overlooked timing of scripture. Joseph could have spoken the above words to them years prior, but in waiting until after Jacob's death, he is assuring them that all is well and there is no plan of revenge against them. In Genesis 50:21, Joseph kindly assures them they do not need to fear, for he will provide for them and their children just as Pharoah had cared for his.
With this, we know the reconciliation remains solid and intact, making the story of redemption even sweeter.
A Prayer to Learn from 'What the Enemy Meant for Evil…' Today
Sovereign God and Ruler over all things now and forever, strengthen my faith to withstand doubts and fear that hinder true rest in Your Word. I long to walk confidently, certain that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted (Job 42:2). Amen.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Tamer Soliman
This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
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