Principle:
The Sovereignty and Grace of God.
Commentary:
The words of Joseph highlight two prominent truths about God that recur throughout the Bible. First, that all things happen according to God’s sovereign plan. Second, that man’s sin can never thwart God’s grace.
One of the great displays of God’s sovereign power and infinite wisdom is that He does not always have to directly intervene in the affairs of men to accomplish His will. God, of course, is able to do so, as in the case of Abimelech: “I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her” (Genesis 20:6). But God’s sovereign grace triumphs even in the midst of man’s most unrestrained and malicious acts. “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28).
Joseph’s words apply most poignantly to the crucifixion of our LORD Jesus Christ. Men meant it for evil, but God meant if for good, to preserve many unto eternal life (John 3:16).