But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:19,20 ESV)
Gooder
Joseph was good to his brothers. They had hated him, betrayed him, and given him into slavery. But rather than seek revenge, he welcomed them to Egypt, provided for their needs, and arranged for their future well-being.
But Joseph’s brothers knew that Joseph was only human. There was a limit, perhaps, to how good Joseph would be toward them.
But Joseph understood the source of the goodness with which he treated those troubled men. Joseph was not good because of Joseph’s character, mind, or heart. Joseph was good because Joseph’s God was good, and Joseph’s God empowered Joseph in goodness.
Joseph chose to be like God. And therefore Joseph knew that his goodness would continue. Because God is good.
And whatever goodness Joseph had displayed, he knew that God was gooder. I know that is not a word, but it communicates what Joseph is saying here.
God is gooder. God is kinder. God is powerfuller. God is knoweldgeabler. Go is holier. God is Lover.
When, perhaps only for brief moments, God’s children can choose to be good, or kind, or holy, or even especially loving… we can rejoice because we see God acting through us, in us, by us, and around us.
God’s love is more than ours… and God’s love empowers ours.