From the example of Joseph we can see how God keeps His word.

First, He does this by not throwing up our past. We all have things of which we are ashamed, times when we did things we shouldn’t have, or we didn’t do things we should have. When Jesus died upon the Cross, He took our sin and His promise is that “He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25) He will wash our sins away by the blood of His Son, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12) Pharaoh never knew about the awful past of the brothers because the love of Joseph buried their past and kept it from him. God does not keep reminding us of our past; we can have a fresh start in Him.

Secondly, Joseph demonstrates how God keeps His promises in the way that he continued to care for his brothers after their arrival in Egypt. Pharaoh said, “the land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best part of the land. Let them live in Goshen.” (Genesis 47:6) Goshen was a fertile section of Egypt, a much favoured place, excellent for grazing and certain types of agriculture. As a result of Joseph’s care, they would have the very best. They would live in the midst of plenty while the world around was in famine. They also had the ear of the king. They could go to Pharaoh any time they wanted, because they could do it through Joseph their brother.

We too have this promise as God’s children. We can go to God any time we want, because we can do it through Jesus, our brother: “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19) We have tremendous privileges because we are God’s children. Just as God had sent Joseph to Egypt where he could gain the ear of Pharaoh and be in a position to speak for his family, so God has provided Jesus to speak for us to God, to intercede for us and allow us access to the riches of God.