Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.
Genesis 37:36 NIV
Joseph’s journey to Egypt may appear like a minor detail in scripture, but it reveals something powerful—God’s divine plan at work, even in the shadows. Every step, every encounter, every delay had a purpose. Nothing about Joseph’s path happened by chance.
We might overlook the fact that the traders who bought Joseph weren’t Egyptians. They were Midianite merchants on a business trip. Genesis 37:28 explains that Joseph’s brothers sold him for twenty shekels of silver to these passing traders, who then took him to Egypt. At first glance, it might seem like they were taking him home to their land. But they weren’t. These men were traders, not transporters. They didn’t intend to keep Joseph—they planned to sell him.
Egypt served as a commercial hub, and the merchants used it as a marketplace. That’s why Joseph ended up there. His brothers never imagined he’d arrive in Egypt because slave traders often sold goods wherever they found willing buyers. Along the way, they could have easily sold him elsewhere. They might have exchanged Joseph for profit long before reaching Egypt if they had met someone offering the right price. They even had the option to swap him out and prepare a different slave for the Egyptian market.
But God didn’t allow that to happen. His divine plan for Joseph required a specific destination—Egypt. No matter how many possibilities existed along the route, Joseph had to arrive in Egypt at the appointed time.
God’s orchestration went even further. When Joseph reached the Egyptian market, he wasn’t bought by just anyone. Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials and captain of the guard, purchased him. Though influential, Potiphar wasn’t the most powerful or richest man in Egypt. Pharaoh could have bought Joseph, but didn’t. Potiphar did—and that mattered.
God directed even that decision. He made sure Joseph landed in the right house, under the right authority, and within the right environment to prepare him for the next stage. Every piece aligned with God’s divine plan. What looked like betrayal and suffering actually positioned Joseph for purpose and elevation.
This truth encourages us today. When we submit to God’s will, we can trust that He guides our steps. His plan may lead us through pain, confusion, or unexpected places, but He never loses control. Just like Joseph, we walk paths that may not make sense at the time. Yet God knows the full picture. He works every detail together for good (Romans 8:28).
So, if life feels uncertain or unfair, remember Joseph’s story. God’s divine plan doesn’t falter because of detours, disappointments, or delays. When we align with Him, He leads us faithfully. His glory will shine through, and His purpose will unfold through our lives.
Trust the process, His timing, and the divine plan.