The Story of Joseph. God Plays Chess Backwards.

If we go back into history we see Joseph and a truly wild series of events. But when you take into consideration the God Plays Chess Backwards you can see so much more in the stories.

• Joseph was in jail but did good things
• Joseph understood and interpreted the dreams of the cup bearer and the baker of Pharaoh

But those interpretations were not for that moment in Joseph’s life. He would have to wait 2 years. Yes, that's right TWO years until his actions would be used by God to help pharaoh and ultimately Joseph’s family and people.

You see while Joseph was ready to leave prison, the entire time. And had done everything he was asked...

• The cup bearer was not ready to share his story
• It was not the right time to share the story. Because pharaoh had to go through his own journey for 2 years before God would give him the dreams
• The society, the physical land, and the climate were not ready yet. The 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine were not about to happen the 2 years earlier

But God Plays Chess Backwards

The Lord knew when the land would be ready

The Lord knew when the family of Joseph would be ready to see him again

The Lord knew when the family of Joseph would be ready to face the remorse for what they did to him

The Lord knew when the cup bearer would be able to remember Joseph

The Lord knew when Joseph, despite being in prison, would be ready for what He would call Joseph to next

The Lord knew when he wanted to give pharaoh the dreams

Because the Lord knew the famine would happen. He placed Joseph in that jail years earlier.

Think about it backwards, not forwards:

5. He allowed the cup bearer to forget for a time

4. He allowed Joseph to be put in that jail, while innocent

3. He allowed the brothers to sell Joseph

2. He allowed Joseph’s brothers to hate him, because of their father’s favoritism

1. He allowed Joseph's father to treat Joseph as his favorite

All of the events leading up to the famine were perfectly planned and prompted.

God Plays Chess Backwards

So what? You might ask?

Well sometimes we need to what's right and wait. Sometimes we need to make mistakes to learn and grow. But the Lord knows the future. And even the bad things, even the mistakes we’ve made, even the waiting, serve his purpose in the end.

Because you don’t know who else’s story is being worked on by the Lord. You don’t know what the land is going to do tomorrow. Or your culture or society around you.

The only thing that matters is obeying the Lord when he guides you. Regardless of how weird or strange or scary it might be.

Just do it. And let

God Plays Chess Backwards