When Blessings Go Bad
From birth, Joseph was blessed. He was the first of only two children born to Rachel, the wife Jacob loved most. Genesis 37:3 says, “now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.”
In the first few verses of Joseph’s time with Potiphar, we keep running into the word matzliah which means “success.” In just four verses, kol (all/everything) is repeated five times. “Everything he did succeeded, he was put in charge of everything, the Lord blessed all he did/had.” Then to really drive the point home, the author concludes the section with “Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance.” (Genesis 39:6). Joseph really was blessed in everything.
But then the blessings go bad. In fact, the very things that he was blessed with become sources of his greatest pain. The blessing of his father’s love signified in the beautifully crafted multi-colored robe attracts the jealousy of his brothers. “But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.” (Genesis 37:4). In beautiful symmetry, the brothers use the robe in their lie to their father Jacob. “Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood. And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” (Genesis 37:31–32).
Later, when things seem to be turning around for Joseph, Potiphar’s blessing over him puts Joseph in charge of the entire estate. But then the blessing goes bad. The greater God’s blessings, the greater the attacks of the enemy. Blessings garner the attention of those with less than pure intentions, enter Potiphar’s wife. Falsely accused, Joseph goes from being the golden-haired child to the redheaded stepchild. Overnight, it goes from everything going right to everything going wrong. “She caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house” (Genesis 39:12). Once again, we see Joseph’s garment being used in a lie against him, just like the robe the brother’s used. “Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home” (Genesis 39:16). Time after time, God’s blessings seem to turn into curses.
And yet, again and again, we’re reminded that “the Lord was with Joseph.” When we get to the prison scene, the bible says, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” This story is an important reminder that blessings do not prevent bad things from happening. God’s providence does not exempt us from opposition; in fact, it usually guarantees it. You can do everything right, and everything can still go terribly wrong. But hold on. You may feel forgotten and forsaken, but you’re not. Just as God was with Joseph, God is with you.
Eventually, Joseph’s “bad” turns back into a blessing. He receives another garment, “Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt.”( Genesis 41:42–43)
Because Joseph didn’t give up and held on to God’s presence and promise and not only was he vindicated, he ended up at the right hand of the king, with more power, influence, and authority than before. In fact, if it wasn’t for the unfortunate events that happened—if his blessings had never turned bad—he would have never needed up in a place and position where he could save so many people. “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” (Genesis 50:20). One day, we’re going to see how God not only used our blessings but the bad things that happened to us, to get us where he wanted us, just as he did with Joseph. Our vindication and course correction may not manifest exactly like Joseph’s—but we can be sure it’s coming. How do I know? Because the gospel tells me so. Jesus, the only begotten of the Father, the true Joseph, blessed beyond measure, was betrayed, denied, and sold out for some silver pieces by twelve brothers too. He was rejected and persecuted for a crime he did not commit. Because Jesus wouldn’t allow himself to be manipulated or prostitute himself for power or political gain, he was dragged before Pilate and thrown into prison. He was stripped and beaten within an inch of his life before being nailed to a cross. Unlike Joseph, Jesus’s life wasn’t spared and thrown into a pit. He was murdered, his lifeless body thrown into a grave.
The good news is the story doesn’t end here. ”This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Has been exalted to the right hand of God” (Acts 2:32–33). And now, like Joseph, instead of using his power, authority, and office to condemn those responsible for his pain and persecution, he uses it for their vindication. “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). There is nothing this world can take from you that you won’t get back, only better (like Joseph) on that glorious day when Christ returns and finishes restoring this world. So hold on. When bad things happen, you’re still blessed. You might lose everything, but because of Christ, you still have everything. “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.” (John 6:39).