9 “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him 10 and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Verse 9 begins Stephen’s reference to Joseph in his message to the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:9-16). The thrust of his argument was that God continued to intervene sovereignly for Joseph. He put Joseph in major leadership in Egypt.
7:9
“And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt.
Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him. First, they tried to kill him but eventually sold him into slavery in Egypt. Stephen may have attempted to draw a parallel between Joseph’s brothers, who sold him into slavery, and the Sanhedrin. The patriarchs opposed God’s will by their attitudes and actions toward Joseph as the Sanhedrin was doing to Stephen.
But God was with him
God continued to sovereignly watch over Joseph throughout his life.
7:10
and delivered him out of all his troubles,
God’s superintending care over Joseph involved delivering him from difficulties while he lived in Egypt (Ge 41:37-45).
and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt;
It was God who gave Joseph favor by Pharaoh.
and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Pharaoh made Joseph the governor over Egypt and the head of Pharaoh’s house.
PRINCIPLE:
God fulfills His plan through the duress of His people.
APPLICATION:
There was a sharp contrast between Joseph and his brothers. God was with Joseph but not his brothers. God fulfilled His plan through Joseph, albeit he endured many trials. Through it all, God granted him “favor and wisdom” by Pharaoh, which allowed him to rise in power to protect God’s people.
