Monday, 10 December 2007 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Joseph

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. Genesis 37:3-4

Israel made Joseph an elaborately embroidered coat. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated Joseph and could not speak a kind word to him.

It’s like Joseph has just been given a brand new designer jacket by his dad, while his other eleven brothers have had their coats bought second-hand from a charity shop!

But it’s more than that. Israel is communicating that Joseph, his second youngest son, is going to be the primary heir – he’s going to get the farm when daddy dies! It is this that incenses the sibling rivalry most…

Tuesday, 11 December 2007 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Joseph

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. Genesis 37:5

 

 

Joseph had a dream… He said to his brothers, “Listen to this dream I had. We were all out in the field gathering bundles of wheat. All of sudden my bundle stood straight up and your bundles circled around it and bowed down to mine.”

Parents help their children to understand what God is like. By showing favouritism Israel has revealed a distorted view of God which has left Joseph arrogant and his brothers feeling inadequate and full of hatred.

Consumed with vanity, Joseph doesn’t consider how his brothers may react to his dreams and so he shares two of them, fluffing up his ego as he does so!

Wednesday, 12 December 2007 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Joseph

His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. Genesis 37:8 & 37:18

 

Joseph’s brothers said to him, “So! You’re going to rule over us? You’re going to boss us around?” And they hated him more than ever because of his dreams and the way he talked…

Later, his brothers saw Joseph in the distance and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

One word keeps coming up at the beginning of Joseph’s story… hate. Joseph’s brothers hate him. Driven by a fear that Joseph will “lord” it over them when their father dies, his brother’s give into their hatred and plot to kill him…

As Yoda would say, “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering…”

Thursday, 13 December 2007 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Joseph

The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. Genesis 39:2

 

 

Joseph has just been abused, nearly killed and then sold into slavery by his own brothers. Having been bought by an Egyptian called Potiphar, God is mentioned for the first time within the story of Joseph.

Joseph was soon to learn that God draws close to us in our times of greatest darkness and despair.

Friday, 14 December 2007 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Joseph

While Joseph was in prison, the Lord was with him and the prison warden put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. Genesis 39:20-22

 

Joseph used to be an arrogant dreamer. But now, wrongly imprisoned and surrounded by criminals and outcasts, Joseph begins to learn something of God’s heart for leaders. He learns it’s not about being special or the “best.” No! It’s about serving and caring for others.

This is the turning point in Joseph’s life…

Saturday, 15 December 2007 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Joseph

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. Genesis 41:41-42

 

Joseph receives his second robe of the story and at the same time is made the second most powerful man in Egypt! This time, Joseph’s ego is not inflated; he is no longer the arrogant 17 year old we first met. From a place of darkness and through learned humility, God raises up Joseph to save whole populations from starvation.

Sunday, 16 December 2007 00:00  |  Written by Steve Hall [a] and posted in Joseph

Joseph said to his brothers, “Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now – life for many people. So then, you have nothing to fear. I will take care of you and your children.” Genesis 50:19-20

 

Joseph’s brothers all tremble before him in fear. They know Joseph has the power to instantly execute them and avenge their abuse of him 20-odd years ago.

It is then that Joseph speaks these words… God used your evil plans for good. God didn’t cause the suffering, but used it to transform Joseph and bring life to others.

Will you let God do the same for you?