
There was great delicacy in Joseph's command, "Cause every man to go out from  me." He did not want to expose his brethren; yet he wanted to say words which  could not be understood by the curious courtiers. Then he made himself known,  and said, "Be not grieved, nor angry, for God did send me before you." This was  not only a kind way of alleviating their remorse and sorrow, but was the  standpoint from which Joseph was wont to review his life-course. It was his  habit to trace the working-out of God's plan, and the interposition of His  Providence amid and through the malevolence and treachery of men (Genesis  1:20).
This was also David's habit, who, in the cursing of Shimei and the  revolt of Absalom, saw the evolution of God's permissive purposes.
Thus  also Jesus spoke, when anticipating the coming of Judas to betray Him. "The Son  of Man goeth, as it was written of Him." "The cup that My Father giveth Me to  drink."
It is one of the inexplicable mysteries of Providence that bad  men subserve God's purposes and unwittingly execute His plans. It is not for us  to explain it, but to consider the perplexities and disaster which we suffer at  the hands of evil men as being permitted by God for the furtherance of some  Divine and hidden purpose. Paul's prayer that he might preach the Gospel at Rome  was fulfilled through the hatred of the Jews; and he went to Rome at the  Emperor's expense. We may comfort ourselves whenever the storm is high, that God  is at the helm, and is making the wrath of man praise Him, whilst the remainder  of it shall be restrained. Yes, Joseph, God is sending you through that pit and  prison: but there is a way out into sunlight.