Sunday, January 20
Along the way we may find ourselves feelingthe way Jesus felt when, knowing what wasabout to happen on Calvary, (on the Mount of Olives), He asked the Father:
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet, not my will, but yours, be done.”(Luke 6:42)
How is it that we can be human—with all ourself-imposed preferences, desires, dreamsand goals—and yet, sense that the Lord Godhas a plan for us that will satisfy us completelyand make our life truly something remarkable?
Yet, even being a Christian, and reluctant,we have a better plan for our lives, let’s putthat Bible thing on hold…
…some day, Lord—some time…now…
Contemplating the idea of obedience to Godin the midst of truly dark circumstances, andtrusting God anyway, i.e., “…but deliver me from evil…” (Matthew 6:13b), I’m reminded of one of my very special portions of the Scriptures, that being, Genesis 37-50, the story of Joseph.
In my view, initially, Joseph wasn’t the very nicestof brothers. Rather than supporting his elevenbrothers, he turned out to be their “tattletale”.Genesis 37:2 says, “…he brought their father a bad report bad report about them…” They hated him.
Israel (Jacob), his father, loved Joseph more thanhis other sons. Joseph received a “coat of manycolors”—his brothers hated him all the more and couldn’t say any kind word about him. He had dreams that made them hate him all the more.
They plotted to kill him and stripped him of the robe.
They sold their brother to a caravan of Ishmaelitesfor twenty shekels of silver to be sold as a slavein Egypt. They soaked his coat in goat’s blood andshowed it to Jacob, who deeply mourned his son.
Joseph was sold to Potiphar. Potiphar trusted Josephand put him in charge of everything in the household. Joseph was a handsome young man. Potiphar’s wifewent after him and Joseph refused her. His ownerput him in prison, trusting his wife, rather than Joseph.
In prison, eventually, Joseph was made responsible for all that was done there. In the prison the Pharoah’scupbearer and baker offended their master and theywere put in prison where Joseph was. At one pointeach had a dream which Joseph interpreted.
The chief cupbearer was restored to the Pharoah’s household. Joseph said to him, “…when all goeswell with you, remember me and show kindness tome…mention me to Pharoah and get me out of this prison…” The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
Two full years went by. It happened that Pharoah had two dreams. His mind was troubled. Hepassed along the details of the dreams but hisadvisors couldn’t interpret the dreams. At thispoint the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph.Pharoah sent for him and he appeared beforePharoah. He told Joseph about the dreamsand Joseph told him the dreams were aboutan upcoming seven years of famine.
Genesis 41:39-41: “…then Pharoah said toJoseph, ‘Since God has made all this knownto you, there is no one so discerning and wiseas you. You shall be in charge of my palace,and all my people are to submit to your orders.Only with respect to the throne will I be greaterthan you.’ So then, Pharoah said to Joseph,’…I hereby put you in charge of the whole landof Egypt…’ Then Pharoah took his signet ringfrom his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger.”
There is no indication from the Scriptures thatJoseph ever complained about his predicamentor misfortune. What Joseph went through, time after time, situation after situation…he bore waitingfor the Lord’s deliverance and blessing.
The Lord was with him despite the fact that Josephwas not exempted for terrible suffering and misfortune. As a seminary professor once said to us, “…Joseph got sour lemons…and he always made lemonade…”
His brothers wanted to kill him. They sold him intoslavery. His owner rejected him upon his wife’s liesthough he was totally worthy of trust. He was sentto prison. In time he was put in charge of the prison.His time in prison was the springboard for him to haveaudience before the most powerful human being inthe world. Once despised, sold, enslaved, betrayed,and forgotten, Joseph became the most powerful human being in the world in terms of his function.
In a powerful way, he became a “savior” for Egypt and the world, having gone through the very worst a person could experience. A simple, profound faith provided the crowning touch…
The dream he had about his brothers came true. They eventually had to come to him and bow before him, as Joseph had dreamed, because of the world famine to ask for food. They found out that “this all-powerful man” was the sameperson (their own brother) they had wanted to kill and did sell into slavery. You can just imagine what they thought they had coming…
So, you’d think Joseph would’ve wanted revenge on hisbrothers. No. He delighted in seeing his brothers andand wanted to see his youngest brother, Benjamin, andhis father—Joseph could no longer control himself…he was overcome by his feelings…to see his family once again…
The words Joseph spoke to his brothers when theyrealized that this was Joseph touch our hearts andcause us to reconsider all positive and negativeexperiences in our lives…
“…I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold intoEgypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not beangry with yourselves selling me here, because itwas to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…”(Genesis 45:4,5)
The story of Joseph is, without doubt, one of the greatpieces of world literature as well as divinely-revealedtruth. How essential it is that every human beingbe exposed to Genesis 37-50. There is no other story that can so powerfully motivate us to receive and accept an informed vision that includes the affirmation that—there is no failure in a life with God! Whatever happens to us, it’s part of His perfect plan for our lives. Who knows? We could be a “tattle-tail” or “dingbat” like Joseph, rejected, abused and abandoned, and end up being the person who saves the world—trusting in a God who will not let us go. Though we are less than perfecthuman beings, the Lord has a perfect plan for our lives.
The crowning touch is the fact that Joseph didn’thold a grudge against those who had done him wrong.We have to admit. Joseph either finally got his programtogether, or had it together all along. We can do thesame. The standard is not that set by the world, butby God, through the ministry of Christ Jesus.
I love the story of Joseph. The bottom line for us is thatwe can learn so much about coming to terms with thethings that have happened in our lives. We can grab onto the notion that God is not trying to pick on us. He willallow the things that happen—for a purpose—and ourcompletion and success in life will be, so to speak, to”go with the punches”, and trust that God is allowing it tohappen for a special purpose. I am convinced that inour humility and trust in the Lord, we will become:
“…more than conquerors through Him who has loved us…” (Romans 8:37)
During difficult and troubled times, you have someonewho prays for you and hopes the very best for you always.May the Lord bless you richly!
Cordially,Tom
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