Genesis 50:20

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.

But as for you, ye thought {H2803} evil {H7451} against me; but God {H430} meant it {H2803} unto good {H2896}, to {H4616} bring to pass {H6213}, as it is this day {H3117}, to save {H2421} much {H7227} people {H5971} alive {H2421}.

You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good -so that it would come about as it is today, with many people's lives being saved.

As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.

And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Commentary

This powerful statement from Joseph to his brothers concludes the book of Genesis, encapsulating a core theme of God's sovereignty and providence throughout the patriarchs' story.

Context

Genesis 50:20 occurs after the death of Jacob (Israel). Joseph's brothers, fearing retribution now that their father is gone, approach Joseph with renewed anxiety about their past betrayal – selling him into slavery years earlier (Genesis 37:28). Joseph weeps upon hearing their fear and reassures them, culminating in this profound declaration. He acknowledges their wicked intent but highlights God's overarching purpose that turned their evil action into a means of salvation for their family and many others during a severe famine.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Responsibility: The verse starkly contrasts the brothers' evil intent ("ye thought evil against me") with God's benevolent purpose ("God meant it unto good"). It affirms that while humans are responsible for their actions and intentions, God is sovereign and can work through those actions, even wicked ones, to accomplish His ultimate will.
  • Providence: This verse is a classic example of God's providence – His active involvement and guiding hand in human history and individual lives, steering events towards His predetermined goals.
  • Redemption and Salvation: God used the brothers' sin and Joseph's subsequent suffering and rise to power in Egypt to "save much people alive," including the very family who wronged him, ensuring the continuation of the covenant line.
  • God Working for Good: The central message is that God can take what is intended for harm and use it for ultimate good, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, notably in the New Testament regarding God's ability to work all things together for good for those who love Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word used for both "thought evil" and "meant it unto good" is the same root, chashav (חָשַׁב), meaning "to think," "to plan," "to reckon," or "to intend." The contrast lies in the accompanying prepositional phrase: ra'ah (רָעָה - evil, harm) versus letovah (לְטֹבָה - unto good, for good). Joseph emphasizes that while the brothers' intention (chashav) was for evil (ra'ah), God's intention (chashav) concerning the same events was for good (letovah). This highlights the vast difference between human perspective and divine purpose.

Reflection

Genesis 50:20 offers profound comfort and challenge. It comforts us by reminding us that even in the face of betrayal, suffering, or seemingly senseless hardship caused by others, God is at work. His plans are bigger than human malice. It challenges us to trust God's sovereign hand even when we don't understand our circumstances and to adopt a perspective of faith that sees the possibility of God working good from evil. It also implicitly calls for forgiveness, as Joseph's ability to see God's purpose enabled him to release bitterness towards his brothers (see Genesis 50:21).

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Cross-References

  • Romans 8:28 (134 votes)

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

  • Psalms 119:71 (81 votes)

    ¶ It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

  • Genesis 45:5 (51 votes)

    Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

  • Genesis 45:8 (51 votes)

    So now [it was] not you [that] sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

  • Genesis 37:18 (28 votes)

    And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.

  • Genesis 37:20 (28 votes)

    Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

  • Acts 2:23 (27 votes)

    Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: