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 All the major colors in the spectrum were clearly discernable, in both the primary bow and the secondary one. It was so impressive everyone on the road slowed down to see it. Some even pulled off to take pictures.
But as beautiful as the rainbow was, if it wasn’t for an interruption in my normal routine, I would have missed it. I was returning with my wife from the movies and preparing to take my usual route home when she asked me to run a few errands with her. I balked at first (I hate detours), but eventually acquiesced. (I only grumbled a little bit in my heart.) Her errands took us on a different route and into rush hour traffic, which delayed us more than I wanted. But if it were not for the change of plans, we would have missed the rainbow. I grudgingly admitted that the detour had been a good thing.
As I later reflected on my experience, I remembered Proverbs 16:9:
“The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
Joseph learned this lesson the hard way. He had a good deal going for himself at home, and the future looked bright. Then he encountered a detour – a thirteen-year detour. It was an unpleasant and inconvenient detour. But at the end, he had a testimony. He said to his brothers:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.” (Genesis 50:20; 45:8)
Joseph had learned that when God changes our plans, there is a rainbow waiting for us – sometimes even a double rainbow.
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