Have you ever wanted to ask God a question? Like why? Why is there pain and suffering? Why is the grass green? What is your plan? When are you coming back?
Joseph was a dreamer. Joseph was daddy’s favorite. And besides being the favorite son of Jacob-whom his father gave him a one-of-a-kind special coat- he also alienated his brothers by ratting them out when they did something wrong! Joseph’s brothers had built a strong resentment and hatred toward their brother. When Joseph began having his dreams- he chose to announce them to his family. Both dreams indicated that his brothers and his parents would one day be bowing down to him. Pretty heady stuff for a 17-year-old man.
Joseph’s brothers conspired together to get rid of him- to get rid of the dreamer- their little brother Joseph. The plan was to kill him and tell their faither that a wild animal must have killed him. When Joseph appeared in Dothan where they were tending the sheep- they saw their chance. They grabbed him and threw him in a dry cistern- Nine of the brothers were having a lunch break when they saw a band of Ishmaelite traders heading their way- Judah came up with an even better plan than killing their brother- let’s sell him off as a slave- then our hands will be clean and we’ll be a few coins richer as well! So that’s what they did. We’ve fixed him now- we won’t have to give him a 2nd thought- for all practical purposes Joseph is dead to us and good riddance! They take his robe- bloody it up and bring it to their father Jacob, who goes into an extended time of mourning for his favorite son.
In a moment, Joseph’s life was changed from being the beloved son to a slave in the unknown land of Egypt. Upon his arrival his sightseeing was cut short because he was sold to Pharaoh’s captain Potiphar to be a servant in his house, but the Lord was with Joseph.
God was still working- did it feel like it? I doubt Joseph was thinking- ‘this is great- I’m so glad I can be a part of this plan and be a slave in Potiphar’s house.’ There were good days and bad days there- but things began to shape up for Joseph. Joseph had a good work ethic- he was faithful- he didn’t slack off or sabotage his relationship with his master- he served him as he was taught- he served him as he would serve his father and his God. Despite not understanding the ‘why am I here’ question- Joseph did the next thing.
Joseph remained diligent and industrious in his dealings despite being a slave. And because of his work and his integrity Potiphar entrusted him with charge of all of his house affairs. Pretty amazing! A Jewish slave with responsibility in the house of a powerful Egyptian. Well, it was better than being the guy that cleaned the latrines-but he was still a slave. He still had no rights and no voice. He wasn’t paid for his work either- in fact, he was probably given more work to be responsible for. It would seem that Potiphar would acknowledge his hard work and maybe give him his freedom… Not happening!
Instead, Joseph was being sexually harassed- without any protection from the system. He was a slave- without any rights or voice. He avoided his boss’s wife for a long time- she was persistent though and when she finally had him alone in her house- she tried to force him into a relationship right then and there. Instead of succumbing and being her ‘slave’ he ran! He saw the temptation for what it was and avoided it at all cost. And cost him it did! Due to the false accusation of Potiphar’s wife to her husband, because Joseph would not sleep with her, Joseph was cast into prison. At this point you might argue, why didn’t God rescue him from his troubles? Joseph found favor with the guards in prison and things were going well for him, despite being in prison.
James wrote in the book of James, “ Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing”
Many Christians assume that when things are difficult, when there seems to be roadblocks, that in these situations that God is not with them. That He has forgotten them and that His plans are either impossible- or that we heard Him wrong. Most of us forget that the message of Scripture is very clear that God is most powerfully present in these tough situations.
I find it inspiring that through all the trials and temptations that Joseph was faced with; he showed integrity, honesty, solid work ethics, his actions showed a confidence in God, and he was faithful to God even when it didn’t feel like God was being faithful to him. Wow!
When you find yourself in a situation where you feel like God doesn’t care, go back to the Bible. Remember the character of God. Put your faith in what Scripture tells us about the nature of God. Remember, “He will never leave you or forsake you.”
When you wonder why God allows bad things to happen to good people, consider these four things about the bad things that happen:
1. Bad things may happen to good people in this world, but this world is not the end.
2. Bad things happen to good people, but God uses those bad things for an ultimate, lasting good.
3. Bad things happen to good people, but those bad things equip believers for deeper ministry.
4. Bad things happen to good people, and the worst things happened to the best Person. (Jesus)
God allows things to happen for a reason. Whether or not we understand His reasons, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful.
It's ok to ask the question- “What are you doing, God?” God hears and He will answer. Joseph kept the faith. He continued to walk in integrity and each day to do the next thing. He chose not to ‘worry’ about tomorrow, but to leave it in the hands of God.
We too are called to walk by faith, not by sight. When we are afraid or confused- trust, believe- remember God and His promise. Hebrews 13:5, “God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
