The Sheer Sweetness of Sold Siblings: Why I Marvel at God’s Chosen Family
Okay, maybe "sweetness" isn't the first word that pops into your head when you think about siblings being sold, right? I get it. It sounds… well, awful. But lately, I’ve been chewing on the story of Joseph in Genesis, specifically the part where his own brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt. Genesis 37:28 tells us, "When the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt." I used to read that and just cringe, thinking how terrible those guys were, but now… now I’m seeing it in a whole new light.
See, it’s like that old saying, “God works in mysterious ways.” We can’t always see the big picture when we’re stuck in the middle of the mess. I mean, Joseph's brothers were jealous, no doubt about that. They hated that he was his father’s favorite, and that he had those crazy dreams about ruling over them. Their actions, on the surface, were terrible – driven by envy and anger. And yet, even that sinful act became part of God's incredible plan.
It made me think about my own life. I have a sister, Sarah, and we've had our share of squabbles. We’re completely different personalities; she’s super organized and I’m… well, let’s just say more "free-spirited." (Read: a little chaotic). We’ve butted heads plenty of times, and I can honestly say there were moments when I was so frustrated I could’ve sold her to the circus! Okay, maybe not literally, but the sentiment was there! We said some hurtful things, and I know that has been hard on both of us. But as we’ve gotten older, and walked with God, we’ve started to see how God uses those challenging relationships to mold us. He uses even our sibling rivalries for good! Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This is something I return to again and again. It’s my foundation.
Like Joseph being sold, even our painful disagreements led us to where we are today; supporting and loving each other in a way that was foreign before. We've learned forgiveness, patience, and how to appreciate each other’s strengths, even when they highlight our own weaknesses. Just like Joseph’s eventual rise to power, our "hard" times have been the stepping stones to growth and a closer relationship. And all of it, even the messy stuff, is ordained by Him.
It's like that quote that’s been going around lately, “Sometimes the hardest things lead to the most beautiful things.” This is totally true, isn’t it? God takes even the craziest circumstances – like sibling betrayal and slavery – and turns them into something beautiful. He used the hatred of Joseph’s brothers to place Joseph in the perfect position to save his entire family during a famine. He used those moments to build something new in the life of his servant. That’s the mind-blowing part!
And that's why, even in the face of things that seem so awful, like Joseph’s sale into slavery, I find a certain… sweetness. Not because the act itself was good, but because of how God redeems even the most broken situations for His glory. It’s a reminder that God is in control, even when things are out of control. It’s comforting knowing that even when family dynamics get hard, even when we have major disagreements with those we love, God’s hand is still moving.
So, today, instead of focusing on the awfulness of Joseph's brothers, I'm going to be intentional about finding the sweetness in what seems, at face value, terrible. It’s not about ignoring the pain but about understanding that God uses everything for His purpose. I'm trying to see the ways in my own life that he's used past hurts to shape me. And this means I get to see the incredible things He has done, and will continue to do.
How has God transformed a seemingly bad situation in your life into something beautiful? I’d love to hear your stories.