Our Bible reading tonight was several chapters later, basically at the end of the narrative after the people of Israel had their big family reunion and relocated to some sweet Egyptian pastureland. ...as we talked about how improbable the whole thing was, and how awesome a steward, Prime Minister, and basically savior of humanity Joseph was, it occurred to me just how unlikely it was that he'd ever even get that chance. Here is Chapter 41, Pharaoh took a chance - a BIG chance. He took this convicted sexual offender (wrongly accused, sure, but did everyone in Egypt know that?) and made him second-in-command of the kingdom. Why? Overall, I'd say because that's the way the LORD wanted it to go. But at the person-level, it was because Joseph never gave up, never quit his faith. He kept trusting *in* God, and kept being faithful in his character and actions to the God in whom he trusted. That's a good example for guys like me. - jeffrey
Joseph never gave up even through all the bad stuff that came his way. God was still showing him favor even in the low places. Even in slavery, wrongful accusation, prison and feeling forgotten, he still allowed God to use him wherever he was placed. I don't think he liked being a slave or a prisoner but he persevered through it. I can sure learn a lot from Joseph. 😀 - Tim
great point, buddy. Yeah, Joseph, did ask for help, but his goal didn't seem to be "promotion", but rather serving others and representing God well in whatever situation he was in. ...and where did this young man (17 years old - probably - when he was taken from home) learn about the LORD, how to know him, how to walk in his ways? Jacob may or may not have thought he didn't measure up to the other patriarchs (Gen. 47), but that boy who saved them all came from somewhere, and I think the implication for us fathers is that we can learn something from Jacob as well. The story of his parenting Joseph is anonymous (well, except for the robe), but it's silly to think that it played no part in who Joseph became. "Good parenting" does not guarantee our kids future, but teaching them about the LORD and his ways is not wasted effort. - jeffrey
My whole life I've always focused on how Joseph was betrayed by his brothers. I think that the Lord helped me focus on a different part of the story this time around. I don't think that enough people really think about this, Joseph was a foreigner in Egypt. And he wasn't just any foreigner. In chapter 43:32, we read that it was an abomination to the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews. There had to people who knew that Joseph was a Hebrew. And yet he had access to the whole kingdom. I think that this is a good reminder for us that even if we are living among those who don't believe, we can still be a blessing to them. Joseph didn't use his power to try to convert everybody. I think that just the way he handled himself and the country was enough to get people wondering, why is he so different? What is it that is so good about his God? I think that we can be the same way. We can be a holy (set apart) people living in a broken world. We don't have to convert everyone, but we can be a blessing. Sorry that I rambled for so long, I'm not even sure I communicated my thoughts all the way. I'm pretty tired. -Christopher
I think that we'll find out living the set-apart life, following the LORD's instructions, will result in us making a difference in lots of peoples' lives. Living by the Great Command and the Second One will make a huge difference, no matter where we live and what we do. - jeffrey
Our Bible reading tonight was several chapters later, basically at the end of the narrative after the people of Israel had their big family reunion and relocated to some sweet Egyptian pastureland.
ReplyDelete...as we talked about how improbable the whole thing was, and how awesome a steward, Prime Minister, and basically savior of humanity Joseph was, it occurred to me just how unlikely it was that he'd ever even get that chance.
Here is Chapter 41, Pharaoh took a chance - a BIG chance. He took this convicted sexual offender (wrongly accused, sure, but did everyone in Egypt know that?) and made him second-in-command of the kingdom. Why? Overall, I'd say because that's the way the LORD wanted it to go. But at the person-level, it was because Joseph never gave up, never quit his faith. He kept trusting *in* God, and kept being faithful in his character and actions to the God in whom he trusted.
That's a good example for guys like me.
- jeffrey
Joseph never gave up even through all the bad stuff that came his way. God was still showing him favor even in the low places. Even in slavery, wrongful accusation, prison and feeling forgotten, he still allowed God to use him wherever he was placed. I don't think he liked being a slave or a prisoner but he persevered through it. I can sure learn a lot from Joseph. 😀
Delete- Tim
great point, buddy. Yeah, Joseph, did ask for help, but his goal didn't seem to be "promotion", but rather serving others and representing God well in whatever situation he was in.
Delete...and where did this young man (17 years old - probably - when he was taken from home) learn about the LORD, how to know him, how to walk in his ways? Jacob may or may not have thought he didn't measure up to the other patriarchs (Gen. 47), but that boy who saved them all came from somewhere, and I think the implication for us fathers is that we can learn something from Jacob as well.
The story of his parenting Joseph is anonymous (well, except for the robe), but it's silly to think that it played no part in who Joseph became. "Good parenting" does not guarantee our kids future, but teaching them about the LORD and his ways is not wasted effort.
- jeffrey
My whole life I've always focused on how Joseph was betrayed by his brothers. I think that the Lord helped me focus on a different part of the story this time around. I don't think that enough people really think about this, Joseph was a foreigner in Egypt. And he wasn't just any foreigner. In chapter 43:32, we read that it was an abomination to the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews. There had to people who knew that Joseph was a Hebrew. And yet he had access to the whole kingdom. I think that this is a good reminder for us that even if we are living among those who don't believe, we can still be a blessing to them. Joseph didn't use his power to try to convert everybody. I think that just the way he handled himself and the country was enough to get people wondering, why is he so different? What is it that is so good about his God? I think that we can be the same way. We can be a holy (set apart) people living in a broken world. We don't have to convert everyone, but we can be a blessing. Sorry that I rambled for so long, I'm not even sure I communicated my thoughts all the way. I'm pretty tired.
ReplyDelete-Christopher
I think that we'll find out living the set-apart life, following the LORD's instructions, will result in us making a difference in lots of peoples' lives. Living by the Great Command and the Second One will make a huge difference, no matter where we live and what we do.
Delete- jeffrey