December 4

JOSEPH

Genesis 37-48

In today’s devotional, we are looking at the life of Joseph.  Probably no other story in the Bible better portrays God's plan being carried out than Joseph’s life.  From his birth, to his role as second-in-command of all Egypt, every twist and turn was orchestrated by the hand of God.  God’s plan, as told to Abraham, was that his descendants would be in exile in Egypt.  This was a time for them to separate from the pagans in Canaan, a people who liked them, and go to Egypt—a people who despised them.  God used Egypt’s prejudice against lowly shepherds to keep them pure.  It was there, that God blessed them abundantly, as they grew from seventy to approximately three million, in that time.

From Joseph’s birth on, we can see God’s plan put into motion.  As Jacob’s first-born son to his beloved Rachel, it is not surprising he was Jacob’s favorite.  This caused envy in his brothers.  That envy started a string of events that eventually ended with Joseph in charge of food distribution in Egypt—a position which secured Israel’s survival.  There is not room on this page to go into every aspect of Joseph’s journey, but they all reveal God’s hand in it.  I would like to concentrate on two parts of the story—that being Joseph’s brothers and Potipher's wife.  We know that Joseph was led by God.  He acknowledges Him in everything he did.  As for his obedience, he became an example of a savior of his people.   But does that mean that Joseph’s brothers were obedient in selling him as a slave, or, Potipher’s wife, for her temptation and false accusations?  After all, that was part of his journey.  God gave Joseph, as well as us all, free will.  Joseph chose to surrender his will to God’s will, but his brothers did not.  And Potipher’s wife did not.  They chose sin.  Our will always will choose that which is opposed to God.  God knew that, and used them to accomplish His plan.  But who wins in the end?  Joseph’s brothers probably thought they were pretty smart.  After all, they got rid of that one who said they would someday bow to him.  What about Potipher’s wife, she got even with Joseph for rejecting her?  But what did they think when they learned that Joseph was now second-in-command in Egypt?  We know what his brothers thought—they were scared.  What about Potipher’s wife?  She probably spent the rest of her life in fear, just waiting for the soldiers to burst in and take her away.

And it came to pass.  God’s plan from the beginning of time was now fulfilled in Joseph, a plan of mercy.  Joseph did not seek revenge!  He, like Christ, who, from the Cross, said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do," forgave his brothers, and became a picture of Christ.  Do as Joseph’s brothers—fall at Christ’s feet today and receive life.       

~ Jim Frantz