Psalms 105:17-20
he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse emphasizes that Joseph wasn't just sold into slavery, but was "sent" by God before the famine hit. This framing reveals God's sovereign plan at work, orchestrating even the deepest human betrayal to serve His ultimate purpose of preserving life.
This psalm is recounting God's faithfulness to His covenant, specifically focusing on how He orchestrated events to preserve the family of Jacob. It moves from calling on people to remember God's wonderful deeds to detailing the hardship of a famine, explaining that it was God who brought it about and broke the "staff of bread." Verse 17 then highlights God's providential hand in sending Joseph ahead to Egypt, even though his path there involved being sold into slavery by his brothers.
Why does the Bible say God 'sent' Joseph when his brothers 'sold' him? Unravel the tension between human wickedness and divine sovereignty.
This verse is a powerful reminder that God's plans often unfold through the worst human actions.
The Wickedness of Men
Joseph's brothers acted out of jealousy and hatred, selling him into slavery. This was a deeply sinful act, driven by their own malice.
God's Sovereign Hand
Yet, the Psalmist doesn't just record the brothers' sin; he states, 'he had sent a man before them.' This highlights God's ultimate control. Even though Joseph's brothers meant evil, God used that evil to accomplish His good purposes. Joseph himself later says to his brothers, 'God did send me before you to preserve life' (Genesis 45:5). God directs the outcome, even when human hearts are wicked.
This doesn't excuse sin, but it assures us that God is always at work, orchestrating events according to His perfect plan, even through the darkest of human choices.
Joseph's story isn't just about personal tragedy; it's a vital part of God's unfolding plan for His people.
The phrase 'sent a man before them' is more than just stating the order of events. It reveals Joseph's role as a precursor.
Preparing the Way
Joseph's journey into Egypt, though marked by suffering, was divinely orchestrated to set the stage for the entire Israelite nation. His eventual rise to power meant he could provide for his family during the famine, literally preserving their lives and thus ensuring the continuation of God's covenant people.
Foreshadowing Christ
In a deeper sense, Joseph's story anticipates the work of Jesus Christ. Like Joseph, Jesus was betrayed by those closest to Him, suffered unjustly, and was exalted to a position of authority. And like Joseph, Jesus' suffering and exaltation were God's means of providing salvation and life for His people.
Understand the original words
'ish · Hebrew Noun
In the biblical context, an individual is often chosen by God to fulfill a specific role in His redemptive history, functioning as a bridge between God's promise and its fulfillment.
'ebed · Hebrew Noun
A condition of being owned by another, used in Scripture to describe social bondage, but also metaphorically to describe the state of being owned by God (servitude) or by sin.
kebhel · Hebrew Noun
Instruments of binding, representing physical confinement, restriction, and the state of being restrained from one's own will or calling.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the self-existent God of the covenant, the One who is faithful to His promises and enters into a relationship with His people.
This verse highlights how God's providence can use even the wickedest acts, like Joseph's betrayal and enslavement, to bring about His purposes and protect His people.
c. 1750 BC— this verse
Joseph Sold into Slavery
Joseph's jealous brothers sell him to slave traders. He is taken to Egypt and eventually becomes a servant in Potiphar's house.
c. 1740 BC
Joseph Imprisoned
False accusations lead to Joseph being thrown into an Egyptian prison, where he suffers greatly but maintains his integrity.
c. 1730 BC
Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams
Joseph is summoned from prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, revealing a coming seven-year famine followed by abundance.
c. 1730 BC
Joseph Rises to Power
Pharaoh appoints Joseph as second-in-command over Egypt to manage the grain stores and prepare for the famine.
c. 1720 BC
This verse directly quotes Joseph, who stated that God sent him ahead to Egypt to preserve life, echoing the Psalmist's point about God's providential plan.
Genesis 50:20Here, Joseph reiterates to his brothers that while they meant evil by selling him, God intended it for good, aligning with the Psalm's theme of God overruling human wickedness for His purposes.
Romans 8:28This New Testament passage assures believers that God works all things for good for those who love Him, providing a theological parallel to the Psalmist's perspective on Joseph's life.
Isaiah 10:7This passage speaks of Assyria's arrogant intentions being overruled by God, illustrating the broader principle that even wicked nations or individuals are instruments in God's hands, similar to how Joseph's brothers acted.
pulpitPsalms 105:17: "He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:"
Verse 17. - He sent a man before them, even Joseph. This is the real sense, though it is not fully expressed in the Hebrew. On the providential sending of Joseph into Egypt, see his own words, "God did send me before you, to preserve life" (Genesis 45:5). Who was sold for a servant (comp. Genesis 33:28, 36; Genesis 39:1).
ellicottPsalms 105:17: "He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:"
(17) Repeats Joseph’s own explanation, twice given, of the ways of Providence in his life ( Genesis 45:5 ; Genesis 1:20 ).
The verse emphasizes that Joseph wasn't just sold into slavery, but was "sent" by God before the famine hit. This framing reveals God's sovereign plan at work, orchestrating even the deepest human betrayal to serve His ultimate purpose of preserving life.
This psalm is recounting God's faithfulness to His covenant, specifically focusing on how He orchestrated events to preserve the family of Jacob. It moves from calling on people to remember God's wonderful deeds to detailing the hardship of a famine, explaining that it was God who brought it about and broke the "staff of bread." Verse 17 then highlights God's providential hand in sending Joseph ahead to Egypt, even though his path there involved being sold into slavery by his brothers.
This psalm is recounting God's faithfulness to His covenant, specifically focusing on how He orchestrated events to preserve the family of Jacob. It moves from calling on people to remember God's wonderful deeds to detailing the hardship of a famine, explaining that it was God who brought it about and broke the "staff of bread." Verse 17 then highlights God's providential hand in sending Joseph ahead to Egypt, even though his path there involved being sold into slavery by his brothers.
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When we read about Joseph being 'sent' ahead, we see God's consistent pattern of working through suffering to bring about salvation and provision.
'imrah · Hebrew Noun
The spoken or revealed will of God; it is active, powerful, and always accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.
tsaraph · Hebrew Verb
The process of refining, proving, or demonstrating the quality or validity of a person's faith, character, or obedience, often through hardship or delay.
melek · Hebrew Noun
One who holds sovereign authority over a nation; in the biblical narrative, earthly rulers are ultimately subject to the sovereign, providential rule of God.
pathach · Hebrew Verb
To liberate from bondage or restraint; in a theological sense, it prefigures the ultimate deliverance from sin and death achieved by God for His people.
shalach · Hebrew Verb
To grant liberty or remove from captivity; biblically, it signifies the restoration of dignity, purpose, and the ability to serve God freely.
Jacob's Family Comes to Egypt
Famine strikes Canaan, and Joseph's starving brothers travel to Egypt to buy food, eventually reconciling with Joseph.
"he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. The king…" — The verse emphasizes that Joseph wasn't just sold into slavery, but was "sent" by God before the famine hit. This framing reveals God's sovereign plan at work, orchestrating even the deepest human…
