Thought for the Week

I want to look at Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachel. He suffered all sorts of affliction (meaning physical or mental pain or suffering testing a person’s ability to function). In the end, he triumphed over his afflictions and became an instrument for God’s use and glory. Joseph’s affliction began early in his life, through no real fault of his own. His father favored him above all his brothers. They were jealous and hated him. They actually plotted to kill him. He was a teen-ager when this became reality. Their first plan was to put him in a pit and let him starve to death. The plot was revised when a ‘trading-caravan’ came by. They pulled him out of the pit and sold him as a slave to the leaders of the caravan. I cannot imagine the mental anguish of being hated enough by your brothers to either be left to die in a pit of starvation, or to be sold into slavery. He was bought as a slave but because of God’s favor, he soon rose from common slavery to being the ‘slave-in-charge’ of the whole estate. Again affliction came to Joseph. His master’s wife lusted after him. Joseph maintained his integrity and his chastity and rebuffed her advances. She, feeling she was scorned, falsely accused Joseph. His master put him into prison. (Better in prison than dead I suppose, but afflicted nonetheless.) Again, God raised Joseph through the ranks to become ‘prisoner-in-charge’. He was enabled, by God, to interpret dreams. He did this for two fellow prisoners. One of these promised he would remember the favor but promptly forgot. Poor Joseph’s hopes were dashed again. Later, when the Pharaoh had a dream no one could interpret, Joseph was remembered and brought to Pharaoh to interpret. Joseph did more than interpret, he provided excellent advice that would become the salvation of the nation and all its people. Much time passes and Joseph’s brothers were now in danger of starving because of a major famine. They must come to Joseph who could provide for them. They do not recognize him but he recognizes them. Here is his chance for revenge. Instead of revenge, Joseph shows mercy. Shortening the story, Joseph makes provision to support and care for his entire family, some seventy people in all. Though Joseph shows nothing but kindness, his brothers remember how horribly they had treated him and feared that he might ultimately take his revenge. They beg for Joseph’s mercy. He has never shown them anything else. But here he has opportunity to glorify God and does so. His classic statement is, “I am not God. You meant to harm me, but God intended to use what you did for good in order to save many people.” I think it is a good idea for us to trust God as Joseph did. Romans 8:28 is an excellent reminder verse for us all: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” The Church has a frequently spoken statement: “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. Say it to yourself and to others just as often as you can and believe it all the time.