“It Was Not You That Sent Me Hither, But God”

He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant.

Psalm 105:17

When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, he acknowledged the devastating decision they had made decades earlier: “I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.” But he immediately explained how that decision had helped God fulfill his purposes for their family: “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:4-5). He concluded, “So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God” (Genesis 45:8).

How can God respect our agency and still “accomplish all his works among the children of men” (1 Nephi 9:6)? Because He is capable of turning even the consequences of human mistakes into blessings. As Lehi assured his son Jacob, “Thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain” (2 Nephi 2:2).

The scriptures provide many examples of human agency intersecting with divine purpose. The king of Assyria wasn’t trying to do God’s will when he attacked Israel, yet Isaiah attributed his action to God. “I will send him against a hypocritical nation,” the Lord says. He then clarifies that the king didn’t realize he was fulfilling God’s purposes with his destructive decision. “Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but in his heart it is to destroy and cut off nations not a few” (Isaiah 10:6-7; 2 Nephi 20:6-7).

When Amlici and his followers turned against their fellow Nephites and tried to make him king, they marked themselves by painting their foreheads red. Mormon saw this as a fulfillment of God’s promise to Nephi, that those of his seed who rebelled would have a mark placed upon them which would clearly distinguish them. Mormon attributes this fulfillment of prophecy to their ignorant agency: “Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the words of God when they began to mark themselves in their foreheads; nevertheless they had come out in open rebellion against God; therefore it was expedient that the curse should fall upon them” (Alma 3:18). Like the Assyrians, the Amlicites fulfilled God’s purposes through their choices.

It can be hard to reconcile God’s commitment to our agency with His sovereignty over all things. But the scriptures teach plainly that He allows us to make choices, both good and bad, and that in His perfect knowledge, He accomplishes His goals for His children not only in spite of those choices but through them.

Today, I will respect people’s agency and trust God to guide me through a world in which I am continually affected by other people’s decisions.