Definition: But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 50:20. It's a really interesting and symbolic passage about Joseph! Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God was setting up a plan to save people – specifically, Joseph – even though someone thought he was going to harm him. It’s like when you have a bad thought, but then something good happens because of it. Let's unpack the parts: "But as for you, ye thought evil against me..." - This is addressing Joseph. He was facing a lot of trouble and hardship – maybe he was imprisoned or mistreated. The person who was thinking bad things about him was you . "...but God meant it unto good..." - This is the key part! God wasn't just trying to stop Joseph from doing something bad; He was deliberately setting up a plan that would ultimately be beneficial. "...to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive." – This is where it gets really powerful. God planned this whole thing to protect many people! It wasn't just about Joseph being hurt; it was about saving lives in the long run. Think of it like this: Imagine you accidentally break a glass. You might think, "That’s terrible!" But God could use that broken glass to create something new and valuable – perhaps to build something stronger or even to help someone else. Why is this important? This verse shows us that: God's plan can be surprising: Sometimes our thoughts don’t always make sense, but they can lead to good things. God is involved in everything: He's not just passively watching; He actively works towards our best interests. In short, this verse emphasizes that God has a bigger picture and uses challenges to bring about positive outcomes. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Give you a few examples of how this principle applies to real-life situations?