As believers we must face the fact of what Jesus told us John 15.18 If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated Me first. Something we don't like to think of but that is none the less true.
No one enjoys being the object of hatred. Joseph knew what that was like. Bad enough one person hates you, he had 10 brothers who hated him so much that could not speak a kind word to him. Joseph was, even at this point, being called to be alone with the LORD. When God is preparing to use someone He calls them to be alone many times. There is something that happens in solitude that cannot happen when other people are around.
It appears that after Joseph told his brother his dreams that they were waiting for an opportunity to act out on that hatred. Hatred is a work of the flesh, an act of the sinful nature. The remedy for hatred is forgiveness through Christ's power. It is dangerous to nurse hatred in your heart as Joseph and his brethren were soon to find out.
Look what happened to Joseph (on his journey to become what God had promised):
1. He was thrown into a pit. vs.19-25
By his brothers- the children of Israel! David wrote about this in Psalm 55.11-13
Most of us have never been literally thrown into a pit but we have known darkness and isolation in being downcast in
1. The Pit of Despair- "Its all over" The world is coming crashing down- feelings of doom can be a sign of clinical depression. Despair severely handicaps a soul. It is a sense of dread.
2. The Pit of Discouragement I can't do anything right. Nothing good ever happens to me. My world is crashing down. Sleep is an escape. What is the use?
3. The Pit of Depression The end of myself. Darkness, exhaustion, inability to pray. When a person is depressed they look on the dark side of everything. Not seeing the blessings- seeing the burdens and feeling them. Cling to the LORD!
David Psalm 43.5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Cure - not always immediate: Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God.
Not only was Joseph thrown into a pit but...
2. He was sold as a slave. vs.26-30
Some of us know what it is like to be taken captive against our will.
In other parts of the world there is slavery going on, people arrested for their faith in Christ. In Pakistan this week a wife and children of a Christian man was killed by Islamic extremists.
Joseph being sold was a result of hatred and jealousy.
Joseph was treated horribly- sold out by his brothers. He knew family rejection. Perhaps that has happened to you. You have been betrayed or rejected by someone or a group of people close to you.
Look at Genesis 50.20 Joseph forgave his brothers. He saw the purposes of God. In all these things we become more like Christ if we submit to them.
Finally after all this...
3. He was lied about as to his situation. vs.31-36
He's dead! They even had his funeral!
If you have ever been lied about you know how vulnerable and helpless you feel.
Jesus literally went through all of these things and on a much deeper and broader level than Joseph- much much.
Yet God had His Hand upon the whole thing. God got Joseph down to Egypt. God rode His purposes on Joseph's journey, He brought Joseph to a place where he was a great blessing not only to his family but the whole world.
To God be the Glory!
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