Part 1
“Brothers why do you do this to me?”
It was the anguished voice of Joseph as he cried from the pit bottom where his brothers had thrown him. His cries of pain fell on deaf ears not penetrating their hearts of stone. Instead, the cries filled his brothers’ jealous hearts with satisfaction. With closed ears and hardened hearts, the brothers ignored Joseph’s desperate calls to be taken from the pit. Daily their hatred toward Joseph had grown. His older brothers carried in their hearts the knowledge Joseph was their father’s favorite; confirmed time and time again. Jacob gave Joseph a beautiful woven coat of many colors as if he was a prince.
What had the brothers conspired to do with Joseph, this dreamer? The one that dreamed his parents and his brothers would one day bow down to him. This son of Jacob and his beloved Rachel who died in childbirth giving life to Benjamin. Kill him, dip his coat in blood, lie to their father that a wild beast had killed Joseph. Thereby rid themselves of their father’s favorite son– the one who appeared to have first-born rights. Was he not the eleventh child? Yes, but Reuben, the first born, lost his first-born rights when he went unto Bilhah his father’s concubine. Simeon and Levi, second and third born, didn’t receive it. They brought down on Jacob’s head grief and fear by their killing of the Shechemites. I wish to propose Joseph was the “first born” of Jacob and Rachel.
Like the barren womb hatred is never satisfied. It has an unquenchable appetite. Satan and the one whose heart are consumed with hatred are never satisfied with its unholy demands. The more it spews forth its venom, the more it desires to do so. It harms the one carrying it as well as the victim. You are of your father the devil when hostility has a place in your heart. It’s detrimental. Don’t be destroyed by your own bitterness. Hatred from his brothers tried to destroy Joseph because of him being his father’s favorite choice as a son. Yet we find Joseph is also God’s choice.
God’s choices are not always ours. He didn’t always adhere to Old Testament Jewish culture when making His choices. He chose Cain over Abel. Jacob over Esau, Ephraim over Manasseh? Did He not choose to give Judah the first-born rights? Can we say Judah carried the status of leadership? The scepter shall not depart of Judah’s hand. Genesis 49:8-12 Did not our Savior, Christ Jesus come down through the lineage of Judah. Down through 42 generations. The Lion of Judah holds the scepter in His hands.
Joseph’s journey to Egypt took him from the pit to Potiphar’s house to whom he was sold by the Ishmaelites. Here in this foreign land, by God’s mercy, Joseph found grace in the eyes of Potiphar. His attention was captured by the young man’s integrity, competence, loyalty, and wisdom. Above all his honesty. He was appointed overseer by Potiphar. From the moment Joseph was appointed overseer Potiphar’s household, all therein flourished. Whatever his hands were put to God made it successful. All the while Joseph experienced heartache and loneliness. He was in command, yet under another’s command. He found himself not free in his exalted position as he bowed to Potiphar’s will. This dreamer who said all would bow to him.
Yet Joseph did not bow to the will of Potiphar’s wife. To appease her unbridled lust daily she sought after him to lay with her. These numerous attempted seductions tested Joseph’s character, his trust and confidence in God. When cornered by Potiphar’s wife, he fled leaving his coat caught in her hands. Falsely accused of attempted rape and believed by Potiphar, into the King’s prison Joseph was thrown. Pain added to pain. Was it not enough to suffer at the hands of his brothers?
Interesting is the fact Potiphar saw God was with Joseph. His observance of him brought revelation knowledge of Joseph’s administrative, organizing skills. Demonstrated was the total confidence of an Egyptian man in a Hebrew boy. Be not surprised when God reveal Himself to others through you. They are blessed through your relationship with God. (Even if they are not serving Him.) It is crucial we live a godly life not only for ourselves but for those connected to our blessings.
It was Joseph’s godly life that caused him to flee from Potiphar’s ungodly wife. Just when things appeared to be better for him circumstance brought about a worse situation. Thrown into prison due to a false accusation of rape. Did God leave Joseph? No! No matter what is done to you by others it doesn’t stop God’s plans. Your blessings are not dependent on the circumstances, but on your relationship with God, the Sovereign one. He provides a way of escape although “the way” seems to bring greater adversity. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
It was a coat that caused Joseph to be thrown into the pit. It was a coat that caused him to be thrown into prison.
Genesis 37, 39
Eyes On It 