Despised by 10 Brothers
Can you imagine being despised by 10 brothers?
Poor Joseph.
Through no fault of his own, he was hated , rejected and shunned by all 10.
To refresh the story in your mind … he was the second youngest of the twelve sons of Jacob. He may have been ill-treated by his brothers – however, God saw him. He actually gave Joseph a couple of fascinating dreams concerning future events in his family. Perhaps because of Joseph’s immaturity, he spoke of these dreams to his brothers.
Wasn’t a good idea. Didn’t go over well.
One day, Joseph’s father asked him to check on his brothers in the field and when the boys saw him coming, “let’s kill this kid” they said. “We are sick of him and his dreams”. Providentially, the oldest brother had a tinge of pity and rather than killing him, talked the brothers into selling him to a passing caravan.
Problem gone. Or so they thought.
God’s word says:
“ … you may be sure that your sin will find you out”. Numbers 32:23
The good news is; God can bring good out of what appears to be bad. God was with Joseph. Over time, through a series of “God moments”, the young Joseph caught the eye of the Pharaoh and was promoted. Joseph became a great ruler in Egypt.
After many years and as a result of a severe drought in their homeland, the brothers heard there was food in Egypt; they made the journey to search for sustenance. Unbeknown to the brothers, they stood before Joseph to make their request.
Here is the exchange between Joseph and his brothers. It’s worth the read.
“I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! They were stunned to realize that Joseph was standing there in front of them. “Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt. Genesis 45:3-8
What a shocking response by Joseph. No hard feelings. No harbouring bitterness.
What a depth of character.
God sees you as you patiently endure trials of various kinds. Dear reader, God can bring good out of bad. He’s done it before and He can do it again. Keep trusting and believing in an all powerful God to change your circumstances.
Today’s Prayer:
“Dear Heavenly Father, I would ask that you bring good out of my circumstances – just as you did for Joseph. May I respond to trials as he did, give me your love and grace. Amen”.