Note: It is important to note that from here on out through the Bible Jacob will be referred to as both Jacob and Israel. Remember the name change after the wrestling match. (Gen. 32:22-32)
I found it interesting that Joseph worked with his half brothers. Didn't you? It would have seemed that he would have been working with the sons of Rachel. I wonder how the shepherd assignments were made.
No matter which brothers he was working with I am sure the all got sick of the "favorite child." It must have been so annoying to hear all the dreams. It seemed every time he had a dream, he had to run to tell his brothers about it. And the coat, well that screamed "I am daddy's favorite." It was very uncommon for men to have sleeves on their coats much less for the sleeves to be long. I can see how the guys a little animosity built up. But a murder plot?
I read this text will fresh lenses today. I have always learned "triumph" and "God will use the bad to bring good" lessons from Joseph but this time I learned some lessons from the brothers:
I read this text will fresh lenses today. I have always learned "triumph" and "God will use the bad to bring good" lessons from Joseph but this time I learned some lessons from the brothers:
- The farther you get away from the Father the more likely you are to become involved in things you should not. (37:17)
- The price for sin is too high, not matter how great the bargain seems at the time. (37:28)
- One sin will lead to another and another. (37:31-32;38:1-2)
- As part of God's plan, He may see it necessary to allow us to fall in a pit.
- The pit can be a place to learn valuable lessons.
- God will provide a way out of the pit, and sometimes in an unexpected way.
The lessons I have learned while in the pit are etched in my memory back forever. Sometimes, I slip back in the pit but I don't and set up housekeeping. I do what it takes to get out! I ask God to show me clearly the lesson He wants me to learn. I ask Him to help me apply the lesson to my life so that I can more like Him and more effective for His kingdom. And when I get out, (notice I did not say if) I give Him all the glory.
What about you? Am I the only one who has spent time in a pit and is clumsy enough spiritually to fall back in from time to time?
13 Comments:
I too have spent time in the pit - whether pushed in, fallen in, or jumped in. So thankful for a God who rescues pit dwellers.
Joseph's journey from pit to palace to prison certainly brings much to consider. Today my focus centered on a lesson in purity. We certainly saw a contrast today in the behavior of Jacob's sons. Promiscuity and purity were both evidenced. We see the profligate conduct of Judah as he pursues pleasures and the holy character of Joseph as he pursues God.
Joseph put his trust in the Lord. He knew that if he followed temptations path he would give up all he had, all he was and all he would ever be. He would lose responsibility, respectability and reputation. We have a beautiful picture of a man of integrity. He was the same in public as he was in private. There was something different about Joseph and others noticed by his character the authenticity of the God he served. His life gave evidence to believe there is a God behind the message.
My thoughts embraced the phrase I read 4 times in one chapter: "The LORD was with Joseph". This was more than proximity. It was presence and power giving prosperity.
Praying others will see Christ in me today because the Lord is with Joy.
Blessings.
Have I visited the Pit? Oh Ya! Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. :) I say that in fun - but do you ever have those lingering things (consequences) that hang around to remind you that you got in a pit? To me that's the T-Shirt. :)
Also, remember a few days back when we were talking about Noah and Abraham's obedience would bless their ancestors? Well I look at this from the other side. Look at all the things that happened because Laban tricked Jacob on his wedding night. The jealousy and animosity between Rachel and Leah,then the favortism Jacob has for Rachel and her sons vs. Leah's Sons, the the jealousy between the 1/2 brothers. So what did Laban start?
But the nice ending God prevails!
Lynn
Thank you all for your insight today. I was struck by three thoughts and I wonder if anyone has any thoughts or answers to share;
* Judah sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver. That is the same "price" Judas sold Jesus for; Hmmmm... What am I to learn from that?
* You all are right that Joseph was the more faithful follower of God. He was also the offspring of Jacob, Isaac and Abraham, so all the world could be blessed through him, but Judah's line is the line from which Jesus comes. Why do you think that is?
* Joseph was put through some very difficult times. He was surely being refined to prepare him for what was to come. He did not let his faith waiver. Later we will see that he is in the perfect place to save his father, his half brothers, all the people of Israel. God also told Abraham that his decedents would suffer for 400 years before they saw the covenant lands. Joseph in Egypt was the start of that, but God has the long view and we only have the "puzzle piece view." What puzzle piece view are we experiencing right now that is talked about in God's Word, that is foretold and is part of His amazing plan, that is refining us so we can be pure in His sight?
Thanks for your fellowship.
- Karen, CA
The story of Joseph is one of my favorites!! Yes, the pit is not a fun place to be and yes, I do occassionally end up there again at times...in fact, I was reminded yesterday of some things that can put me right back there...then my mom had shared with me that she felt like the Lord was speaking to her, "Come and Dine in 2009"...and pondering that. That's one thing I think Joseph should have done, pondered what the Lord had shone him in the dream, rather than flaunting that to his brothers and then father. I do believe also that the pit experiences can either make us bitter or better...and I want to use them to refine me and make me more like Christ.
Have a great day!!
Raylene
Boone, IA
No way, you are not the only one. Count me in. I'm spending time in the pit that He rescued me from several years ago. But He is faithful. This is a fresh and new way to look at it. God bless you on this fine day.
I love that...."The closer we stay to the Father...." Ahhhhh....
You're not alone sister!
The pit calls almost every day. Sometimes I just want to cover my ears and say "la la la can't hear you"! :) But as I soak in His Word and listen to His voice, the pit is deafened. I want to be satured in Him love and His Word. Much better than that slimy pit!
Karen - I connected the 20 pieces of silver to Judas also...haven't come up with any good answer yet though!
My daily devotional this morning interestingly touched on Joseph's stewardship. He was the "steward" of Potiphar's entire household. A steward's main goal is to do what his master would want done. A good steward is loyal and faithful.
God has been stretching and challenging me lately to be a good steward of all He has given me. Joseph is a good example to me.
Blessings!
Morgen - MN
Joseph was faithful to God! It didn't matter what situation he was in, his character remained the same. Joseph received God's favor through good and bad times. I believe Joseph believed his dream, therefore he was able to live that dream out in the worst of situations. God was with Joseph and those who were with him received a blessing for being acquainted with him.
Are our families, churches, employers, friends and communities blessed because of our faithfulness to God? Do they notice the difference in our actions and reactions in life?
May we all be the light God has called us to be for his glory!
Debbie - North Carolina
Okay, Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver; Jesus was betrayed by Judas for 30 pieces of silver. My mis-read. Sorry.
Morgen - MN
What I found interesting today was Reuben's part in the story. He was the one whose idea it was just to throw him in the pit, and then he was going to rescue him. So it's not enough just to go along with the plan so you don't make any waves. We have to speak up for the truth and what's right.
Also, Reuben was gone--while the others made plans to see Joseph. I had never noticed that before.
Then, when he came back and found Joseph gone, it seems like the other brothers never confessed to what had actually happened.
Deception--man's plans rather than following God's plans are everywhere in these chapters. I am convicted by my own "plans" rather than allowing God to lead me.
Yes, my name is Kristen and I have been in the pit! I also have had times when I seemed to peer over the edge, but then backed up quickly.
What hit me today about Joseph's captivity, and ours, is that sometimes he put himself there (or at least witihin arms length with his sharing of the dreams). And sometimes others' placed him, and us, there (Potiphar's wife).
Either way however, like Joseph, we can stand on the promise that "the Lord was with him (and us." How else could we survive.
Also, just wanted to let everyone know that Francine Rivers wrote a great series of historical fiction on some of the women of the Bible called "The Lineage of Grace." One of the books, "Unveiled" is about Tamar. By reading this book, I came to understand and respect Tamar for her actions, even as crazy as they sound during this day and age. I highly recommend these.
Have a great day everyone knowing "the Lord is with you."
This text almost jumped off the page for me today to be sure I understand the teaching that the Lord is with me and makes me successful. My focus today was on what God wants for me to do next. He and I talked quite a bit this morning!
Other themes of interest I noted in my journal:
*heavenly foreshadowing in our dreams
*recurring theme of favor and jealousy
*Er's wickedness & Onan's disobedience
*Judah's disobedience & Tamar's deceit
*Perez & Zerah's birth order and the scarlet string
*The wrath of a scorned woman
I am so enriched by reading your comments! I feel like I am really pressing in to God and all of the joy he wants for me. As a bonus, I am meeting more and more of my sisters in him.
Celebrating the journey,
Liz
the one "pin" in AK on Wendy's map
It was in a deep pit... God heard my cry for help, reached down through His word, and gave me what I needed to get out of that pit.
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Have I fallen into a pit again? Yes, but I will YET joyful in (trust in) God my Savior to give me the "feet" to get out if it. Not only that, He ENABLES me... I can rise above the circumstances that caused me to fall and keep going!
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