The story of Joseph being sold into slavery is a classic “good” coming out of an evil act. Joseph and his beautiful coat, as well as perceived favoritism of their father, led to his brothers selling him to a caravan of Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt. Joseph became prominent in the house of his Egyptian master.  Thus, it was possible when the famine came, he was in a position to help his brothers by providing them with food.

Imagine the brothers dismay when they were face to face with the brother they had sold to a caravan so long ago. Forgiveness: “And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them.”

Luther states that “St. Paul is speaking only about those who are Christians.” “For as in Adam all die,” but those who are faithful will be resurrected with the Lord. (Study Bible)  Many Corinthians did not believe in the Resurrection of Christ (or anyone else). “Just in case” they would have graveyard baptisms. Baptized believers are assured that the resurrection will take place in God’s time and in the manner He chooses. “But God gives it a body as he has chosen and to each kind of seed its own body.”

Jesus instructs us to love our enemies.  “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you.” “Even sinners love those who love them.”

Psalm 103 praises the Lord and gives thanks for His blessings. Loving us as a Father, he removes our transgressions from us. “The Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” Fear him? In Proverbs we read “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”; Hebrews 12: “ Worship God with reverence and awe”; which brings us to the meaning of fear in “the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him”  - who show reverence of Him. SMN