shortlady
Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2005
- Messages
- 2,696
Joseph the Abused
If anyone ever had a good reason to complain, it was Joseph. He never really did anything wrong, but everyone was always stabbing him in the back. You ever felt that way? He was the good, obedient son, so his unruly brothers tried to kill him but sold him as a slave instead. He climbed the ladder from slave to estate manager, only to get thrown in prison due to false accusation. He was betrayed and slandered by his master's wife when he refused to have an affair with her.
The very guy Joseph was protecting and obeying, was the guy who had him thrown in prison. And in prison he rotted for something like ten years! Most all of his twenties were spent in prison. But even in prison, Joseph flourished. He soon managed all the prisoners and even interpreted dreams for other royal prisoners. They, of course, promised to remember and repay his kindness when they got out, but never did. Eventually the king of Egypt, Pharaoh himself, had a disturbing dream and was led to Joseph the interpreter.
Again, Joseph rose to the top and became the Prince of Egypt, saving the whole eastern world from extinction by famine. Through it all, he retained his dignity, honor, and integrity. When his betraying brothers came crawling to Egypt during the famine, he had only this to say. "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don't be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children." (Genesis 50:19-22) How inspiring! Joseph refused to wallow in self-pity or rise up in vengeful wrath. His faith in God was real and unwavering, no matter what twists and turns his life took. Joseph was a man who trusted in the sovereignty of God, and so should we. God be with you all...
If anyone ever had a good reason to complain, it was Joseph. He never really did anything wrong, but everyone was always stabbing him in the back. You ever felt that way? He was the good, obedient son, so his unruly brothers tried to kill him but sold him as a slave instead. He climbed the ladder from slave to estate manager, only to get thrown in prison due to false accusation. He was betrayed and slandered by his master's wife when he refused to have an affair with her.
The very guy Joseph was protecting and obeying, was the guy who had him thrown in prison. And in prison he rotted for something like ten years! Most all of his twenties were spent in prison. But even in prison, Joseph flourished. He soon managed all the prisoners and even interpreted dreams for other royal prisoners. They, of course, promised to remember and repay his kindness when they got out, but never did. Eventually the king of Egypt, Pharaoh himself, had a disturbing dream and was led to Joseph the interpreter.
Again, Joseph rose to the top and became the Prince of Egypt, saving the whole eastern world from extinction by famine. Through it all, he retained his dignity, honor, and integrity. When his betraying brothers came crawling to Egypt during the famine, he had only this to say. "Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don't be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children." (Genesis 50:19-22) How inspiring! Joseph refused to wallow in self-pity or rise up in vengeful wrath. His faith in God was real and unwavering, no matter what twists and turns his life took. Joseph was a man who trusted in the sovereignty of God, and so should we. God be with you all...
