But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” *** Genesis 50:19-20 ***
God promised Abraham in Genesis 12 to make him into a great nation and to bless him, and all peoples on earth would be blessed through him. Through the life of Isaac and Jacob and even Jacob’s sons, we see glimpses of God’s plan to bless the whole world through Abraham and his descendants. But it is in Joseph that we see the fulfillment of God’s promise. The story of Joseph reveals that God’s promise is true as a descendant of Abraham in fact saves the nations and leads God’s chosen people to multiply and grow into a fruitful nation.
When you look at Joseph’s life, what do you see? He was certainly a man of integrity. Virtuous. Smart. Handsome. Full of dreams. Forgiving. It might be hard to relate to this characterization of Joseph. Both because we haven’t suffered in the way he did - betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, falsely accused and forgotten in prison. And because we can’t imagine that we could react in the same way Joseph did with trust and forgiveness and hope. But Joseph was no superhero. He was a person like us full of weaknesses, knowing pain and sorrow, and tempted to sin. In Joseph, we see the promise of God, not just for Abraham’s physical descendants, but also his spiritual descendants. We see the promise and hope of God for us!
As we study the life of Joseph at Vision Camp 2025, let’s pray that God would help us understand that the common thread running throughout Joseph’s life is God’s promise and his presence. God revealed himself to Joseph early on through dreams. As young people, the common thread from the moment you were born has and always will be God’s promise and presence in your life. Whether it has been through your parents, your shepherd or bible teacher, or through a friend, God continues to reveal himself to you through the power of his Word. And maybe sometimes in your dreams, too!
This world feels like it grows ever more complicated every day. How can we stand up like Joseph with integrity to trust God and his promises? How can we know God’s good intent for our lives? How can we be unafraid to give God glory for all that we accomplish in this life? I pray you will join us for Vision Camp 2025 to explore the answers to these questions. God’s promise is true for Joseph, and his promise continues to be true for you as well. I look forward to sharing faith, fellowship, and fun with you at Vision Camp 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. Please register at visioncampubf.org starting on March 1. God bless you always.
In Christ,
Director, Vision Camp