Trustworthy: Genesis 39:1-6
God can easily use people in whom the world recognizes trust. Someone people are more trustworthy than others. Some people are more trusting than others. Some people are devious enough that they will readily take advantage of people who are trustworthy. Even so, when it comes to building relationships and putting God’s love on display, trustworthiness is a characteristic God will happily use.
God blesses Joseph. That’s the key takeaway for this section of verses. God takes Joseph and puts him in a place he can thrive. That doesn’t mean God intended Jospeh to be sold to the Ishmaelites, but God demonstrates he can take Joseph’s brother’s actions and still use it for good.
Ultimately, God blesses Joseph because God knows how He plans to use Joseph. God knows a famine is going to come to Canaan. God knows He will need a leader in Egypt He can use to bring relief to Jacob’s family as they look for food in the middle of the famine. God blesses Joseph because God plans on using Joseph later in life.
I don’t mean this to come across as self-serving. I’m not intending to say anything negative about Joseph or about God. This is a conversation about God’s provision and God’s foresight. God knows the people will be in need in a couple decades. God is already working on a plan to resolve that issue. God chooses Joseph to be the one through whom His plan is worked.
Why is Joseph picked? Did Joseph do anything special to catch God’s attention? In the story where Joseph’s brothers sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites, we do get the idea that Joseph doesn’t like it when people are disobedient or take shortcuts. Joseph will bring an honest report even if it is bad. Joseph likes to do things the right way, and he likes to live up to the expectations of his superiors. Joseph likes to follow directions and make his superiors happy. That makes him a great candidate for God’s plan. God plans on putting someone in Egypt who can earn the trust of the Egyptians, but that person needs to also be in relationship with Him. Joseph fits that description.
Joseph doesn’t do anything particularly magical to attract God’s attention. Jospeh lives his life trying to abide by the expectations placed upon him. He is certainly not free from sin, as his pride over his dreams got him into trouble with his family. But, when God is looking for people to use to build trust between Himself and the world, He needs people who are reliable and trustworthy.
For me, that’s the other significant takeaway. God can use anyone. The book of Genesis is all about how God uses imperfect people to accomplish His plan. Perfection isn’t the requirement God seeks. Trustworthiness, however, is a significant character trait that makes it easier for God to use a person. God can easily use people in whom the world recognizes trust.
