Despite all the hardship and struggle Joseph endured while in slavery in Egypt, he did not fail to recognize the sovereign hand of God in every event of His life. In response to his brother's repentance, Joseph responded, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." This theme of providence carries over into the events recorded in the beginning of the book of Exodus. Just as Joseph's brothers intended to bring about his destruction, Pharaoh sought to destroy all the Hebrew baby boys. Instead, God used this evil edict to preserve His servant Moses and to place him in the one house in which he would have access to all the "wisdom of the Egyptians" (Acts 7:22). This first lesson in our series introduces the mediator of the old covenant and explains the historical context into which God placed him.