God had told Abraham that for 400 years his descendants would be strangers in a foreign country and become enslaved. But God would punish that nation and bring the people out and into the promised land. God didn't tell Abraham when this would start. But, some
incredible things had to happen, all in perfect sequence (and therefore perfectly designed, like everything in creation) for this to come about.
Think about this series of "coincidences"---
- Abraham had a grandson, Jacob, whom he never met.
- Jacob had a "favorite son", Joseph.
- Joseph would have strange dreams that implied that he would be honored one day when everyone bowed to him. This would infuriate his brothers!
- His father would send him alone one day to these same brothers.
- There would have to be some opportunity for his brothers to get rid of him.
- Ishmaelite traders happened to be going past them, and down to the very country God had in mind for the enslavement of his people.
- Joseph was hired by an important official of the government.
- This official would have a beautiful wife who was attracted to Joseph.
- This woman attempted to seduce Joseph and the whole scenario would send him to a specific prison - a jail
reserved for the king's prisoners.
- This very prison would have a man who saw the qualities of Joseph so that he placed him in charge.
- There were two prisoners added to the jail with him who had specific dreams.
- These two prisoners
needed to have been employed by the king himself.
- Joseph was specifically given the ability to interpret these dreams, and when the time came, he was summoned to the king to interpret his dream.
- The dream specifically predicted a disaster that was about to take place.
- Because of God giving him the ability to interpret the dream, Joseph was placed basically in charge of the whole country.
- This event specifically led to his entire family moving to Egypt.
- The family grew rapidly.
- Another king came to power who did not remember Joseph or what he had done for the country.
- The people were enslaved for a long time in order for them to begin to learn what freedom meant, and especially the new life they were to have under the lordship of God.
God knew what was gong to happen. Abraham could not possibly have known everything that would happen with his son Isaac, nor his grandson Jacob, nor all of the events that would fulfill this prophecy! Genesis 37-47 reveal specifically how it all unfolded.
It's the same God and Father we trust today! We might not know how he's going to fulfill a prophecy, or even answer our prayers, but it's a huge comfort to know that He hears us and knows our needs, and can overcome any obstacle in his path to accomplish his will.
