Jacob had twelve sons.

Lying on his death bed, he gave each a prophecy for their future — destruction, royalty, culinary success, slavery, honor. On only one did he pronounce extensive blessing.

Joseph’s blessing is both a historical account of the tragedy of his adolescence and a prophecy for his future. His blessing is bigger, deeper, and more heavily laden with God’s hand of goodness than any of his brothers.

Ironically, Joseph initially suffered more than his brothers did. At their hands, he lost his adolescence to slavery. He was robbed of the comforts of home and the love of parents at an early age. Then he was unjustly put in jail.

Yet, through all his suffering, Jacob recognized that Joseph was under God’s hand. He wasn’t rescued from his bad circumstances, but God cared for him in the midst of each and ultimately turned Joseph’s tragedy into blessing.

God blessed the Jewish people through Queen Esther when the vindictive Haman tried to eradicate them. God raised up Daniel when his jealous colleagues had him thrown to the lions. When sin tried to nail Jesus down, God turned the curse of the cross into blessing for all. Today, God can still turn your curses into blessings too.