I’ve heard it said that each Christian helping a fellow brother or sister in Christ is like one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread. I need to be reminded of these messages as much as anyone.
Joseph’s Story
Joseph grew up with a very complicated family dynamic. His father had four wives each vying for attention. In total, Joseph had 11 brothers—ten half-brothers and one biological brother. His biological brother’s name was Benjamin, and they were born to their father’s favorite wife, Rachel. The tension in the family led to strife and jealousy between wives and brothers.
God had gifted Joseph with the ability to receive and interpret dreams. But when Joseph shared his dreams with his older half-brothers, it only increased their hatred of him (they hated him because their father favored Joseph above them). Out of the malice in their hearts, the brothers plotted against Joseph, who was only seventeen, and sold him into slavery in Egypt.
In Egypt, Joseph was sold to a man named Potiphar, who was an official to Pharoh. Joseph served his master well and was eventually promoted to head over the affairs of the household. The Lord had blessed him, so that everything he did prospered.
While he was serving in Potiphar’s house, Potiphar’s wife took notice of him. She began to tempt and urge him to come to bed with her. With every petition, he refused. When she came upon him, he fled the house, leaving his cloak in her hands. Potiphar’s wife convinced Potiphar that Joseph had come on to her and fled when she screamed.
Potiphar sentenced Joseph to Pharoh’s prison. There, Joseph continued to be faithful to the Lord. The warden gave Joseph responsibility of the prisoners under his care, because he perceived that everything Joseph did was successful.
In prison, Joseph continued to interpret dreams. Joseph interpreted the dreams of a prisoner, who was formerly the Cup Bearer to Pharoh. When the Cup Bearer was reinstated in the king’s palace, Joseph asked him to remember Joseph in kindness, so that he might be released from prison.
The Cup Bearer forgot about Joseph, until the Pharoh himself had a dream that none of the “wise men” of Egypt could interpret. The Cup Bearer told Pharoh of a man who could interpret dreams with great precision. When Joseph was brought before Pharoh, he continued to give the glory and credit to the Lord, even while standing in the court of a pagan king.
Joseph told Pharoh that his dream was a foreshadow of what was coming—seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. He advised Pharoh to store a portion of the harvest from the seven years of abundance so that there would be food in the famine. When he witnessed Joseph’s wisdom, Pharoh promoted him to be in charge of securing and storing the harvest—putting Joseph over the whole land. The only man more powerful than Joseph was Pharoh himself. When the famine did come, the whole known world went to Egypt to buy food there—including Joseph’s half-brothers.
Joseph forgave his brothers. Then he brought down his whole clan to live in Egypt, in the abundance of the land. Because of Joseph’s position, he was able to preserve the lives of his family members.
Joseph’s story can be found in Gensis 37-50, and I highly encourage you to read it! I am reading it right now in my Bible time, and it is such a powerful example of God’s faithfulness!
Use it for Good
Joseph says to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Joseph faced the consequences of the sin of other people in his life. His suffering was not because of his own choices, but the choices of others.
God was faithful through every circumstance.
He never left Joseph. And Joseph was never out of his hands. God was in control in every situation and the decisions others made did not surprise him.
Joseph continued to serve the Lord, even among people who did not honor Him.
“You are holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.” -Leviticus 20:26
Joseph committed everything that he did to the Lord.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” -Colossians 3:23
Joseph offered forgiveness and released bitterness.
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” -Matthew 6:12
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” -Ephesians 4:32
And God did not waste his pain.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28
God is capable of redeeming every situation and using it for His glory and your good.
A Poem
I am unsure if I have already shared this, but if I have, read it again. This poem is such a work of art, and it demonstrates how God can use all things for your good.
Just a Weaver
By Benjamin Malacia Franklin
My life is but a weaving, Between my Lord and me; I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily. Oft time He weaveth sorrow And I, in foolish pride Forget He sees the upper, And I the under side. Not til the loom is silent And the shutters cease to fly, Shall God unroll the canvas And explain the reasons why. The dark threads are as needful In the Weaver's skillful hand, As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern He has planned. He knows, He loves, He cares Nothing this truth can dim. He gives His very best to those Who choose to walk with Him.