Turnaround

Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, but he's become Prime Minister of Egypt and now has power over them. When their father Israel (Jacob) dies, they're afraid, but look at how Joseph responds:

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said.

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. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Genesis 50:18-21

Joseph is a great example to me of grace and mercy. Grace because he gives them good things they don't deserve -- mercy because he doesn't give them bad things they do deserve.

Now by being in Egypt, Joseph saved many lives, probably including his brothers', by interpreting the king's dreams and taking action on them. (Genesis 41:29-36). So who is the real hero in all this? Isn't it God, who sent the dream to the king to warn him of famine, who gave Joseph the ability to interpret the dream, granted him favor in the eyes of the officials so his plan would be adopted?

I've heard it said that God is the hero in every Biblical narrative. And isn't that true in our lives today?