The life of Joseph, in the Old Testament, is a vivid example of the shade of God’s hand. Joseph was a favored son of his father. He also had the gift of interpreting dreams. While it would have been prudent for him not to advertise his dreams in front of his brothers, he wasn’t responsible for the hatred that drove them to be willing to kill him. As Pharaoh’s slave, and later in prison for something he didn’t do, Joseph may have been wondering if he would have been better off dead. When he interpreted dreams for two fellow prisoners, he must have thought he’d bought his ticket out. The men he helped didn’t return the favor, and he sat in prison for two more years.

“Is my gloom, after all, Shade of His hand, outstretched caressingly?”