I like to call this Plan B—not because God made a mistake, but because God’s mercy allows us to course-correct when we or others step outside of His will. When we repent and return to Him, He lovingly redirects our steps.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand.”
—Psalm 37:23–24 (KJV)
Let’s examine Joseph’s story and look at how the enemy tried to divert God's plan through resentment, favoritism, and family dysfunction.
The story really begins with Jacob, Joseph’s father. Jacob fell in love with Rachel, but was tricked by his uncle Laban into marrying her older sister Leah first. After working another seven years, Jacob finally married Rachel and eventually had Joseph, the son of his “true love.”
Because of this deep love for Rachel, Jacob showed obvious favoritism toward Joseph, giving him a richly ornamented coat—often called the "coat of many colors"—a symbol of honor and distinction (Genesis 37:3, NKJV). This favoritism stirred resentment and jealousy in Joseph’s older brothers.
The brothers were already wounded emotionally. Their father didn’t love their mother Leah the way he loved Rachel. Most sons are protective of their mothers, so their pain likely ran deep. Seeing Joseph favored only intensified that pain. Eventually, their bitterness led them to a dark decision: they sold Joseph into slavery, tearing apart the family and setting into motion years of pain and separation.
What remained in the household after Joseph was gone? Likely grief, guilt, and spiritual oppression. Jacob became heartbroken and inconsolable over the loss of Joseph (Genesis 37:34–35 KJV), and the atmosphere in the home may have been clouded with despair—until the day God restored the relationship and fulfilled His promise.
This story shows how favoritism, immaturity, and resentment were open doors the enemy used to try and rob, kill, and destroy (John 10:10 KJV). These same tactics are still used today to destroy families and delay destinies.
So we are left with a deep question:
Is God constantly cleaning up our messes and redirecting us toward His promises?
Or is He allowing us to go through hard seasons to strengthen and prepare us to fulfill His will?
Maybe the answer is both.
God is so good that even when we or others make mistakes, He still weaves it into a greater plan for His glory. The life of Joseph reminds us that no matter how far off track things may seem, God can use every pit, prison, and betrayal to bring us to the palace—in His perfect timing
