And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt.

Acts 6:15-7:10, And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, though he had no child. And God spoke to this effect—that his offspring would be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them four hundred years. ‘But I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and worship me in this place.’ And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.”

Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, begins to relate the story of God’s leading His people by calling Abraham to fulfill His long awaited promise of His offspring. The story of Joseph is one of betrayal by his brothers, leaders of the twelve tribes, who start out to kill him, but then sell him into slavery. Even though they intended this for evil, God used it for good, to bring the nation into existence in Egypt. How amazing it is the way God has worked even when those whom He has chosen are not always faithful!

We thank You that You love us even though we are completely lost without You; thank You that You care for us and are always ready to receive us when we come to our senses and turn to You!

ESV Lectionary