Genesis 41:33-40
Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.”
Joseph was literally thrown into a difficult situation. The family who should have loved him, saw fault in the favor of their father towards him, and had to get rid of him. Even in his cries for help, they walked away...
But God also favored him, for he remained faithful.
It's hard going year after year of pain, troubles and tribulations. We all want out of it. We look to our friends and family to assist us. But humans are humans and we all make mistakes - even in our priorities. But when we remain faithful, try to see the silver lining, looking towards His face, in His time, we find our prize. It's not always what we want, but it's what we need. And sometimes it's just barely what we need, but it's there.
I'd think the hardest part of Joseph's situation was the interactions towards his brothers. When we've been wronged by family, isn't it natural to never want to see them again - and when put in that situation, not even common courtesies exist? (I've seen it - it's not pretty). But Joseph rose above... at least for a minute or two.
I suppose his plot against his brothers, to meet Benjamin and see his father again had it's purpose - we all have to face obstacles to reach our final destination, and every story has it's protagonists and antagonists... but in this situation, which is Joseph? On one hand - he's getting his just deserts for what his brothers did to him. On the other - why not just come right out and say who he was?
The way I see it, why risk exposing yourself to the people who hurt you, until you know they've repented, and better yet, changed.
No comments:
Post a Comment