Sat, 26 Aug 2017 12:16:04 +0000
Genesis 41:37-38
WELCOME to today’s topic. Our topic to-day is to discuss the unfailing faithfulness of our Lord, Father God Almighty Jehovah Jireh to His people. We shall consider the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob, also known as Israel, as our base name for discussion. Jacob the father of Joseph, had a brother, his name was Esau, they were twin brothers. They were sons of Isaac, the son of Abraham. Genesis 25:23-35, 26:48-49.
Jacob had 12 children, all men and the thirtieth being a woman called Dinah. (Genesis 30:21). The 12 sons of Jacob, of which Joseph was second from last and Benjamin the last born, constitute the 12 tribes of Israel. It is out of those tribes that we have a State of Israel.
Joseph as a dreamer, annoyed his brothers, including his father with his dreams. (Genesis 37:5-18). His brothers hated him for the kind of dreams he dreamt, and were jealousy and decided to throw him in a pit that was just within the grazing area of their livestock. Later on, his elder brothers decided to sell him to slave traders, who were heading to Egypt.
Going to Egypt must have caused a lot of sadness in Joseph’s heart, especially that he loved his father and brothers so much. Perhaps, he had lost hope of becoming an important person, as per his dreams. But what we know is that, the hand of God, our faithful God, who never misses on His promises was upon Joseph all the way.
In Egypt, slave traders sold Joseph to Potipher an Egyptian officer. (Genesis 39:1-3). Strangely enough, Potipher, looking at Joseph, quickly he realised that the Lord God Almighty was with Joseph, giving him success in everything Joseph did. The faithful hand of God was upon Joseph.
While working in Potipher’s house, as a slave or house servant, something went wrong and Joseph was sent to prison. (Genesis 39:7-23). Nevertheless, the Lord God Almighty was with Joseph, and caused him to succeed in whatever he did.
By God’s own mercies and grace, Joseph had a mind to give meaning to dreams (Genesis 40:1-23) (Genesis 41:1-57). Giving meaning to Pharaoh’s dream, caused Pharaoh to appoint Joseph the Prime Minister of Egypt. Even when in prison, the young man Joseph never forgot his God, whatsoever.
In the book of Genesis 41:16, answering Pharaoh, Joseph started by saying: “It is beyond my power to do this. But God can tell you what it means and see you at ease.” In this case, Joseph made sure he first gave credit to his only God Almighty for his successful defining of the dream.
That is giving it its meaning. He was fully aware that the wisdom to give meaning to dreams came from the only true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He never looked at himself as being more clever than anybody else.
This is what spiritual wisdom does to a believer in our Lord, Father God Almighty. There is humility in a heart of a believer, even after recognising something unusual in one’s capability and capacity in doing certain things of the Spirit. Be it a talent and skill acquired overtime, bringing us glory. Let us not boast about it, but instead remember that, such glory is for one in heaven, the creator of heavens and the earth, God the Most high, God Almighty El-Shaddai.
To take any kind of honour to ourselves is actually stealing that honour from the Lord, Father God Almighty. Joseph was aware of this fact, as he was being led by the Holy Spirit, which is the spirit of God.
We should not hesitate or be silent, to give honour and glory to our Father in heaven at the most appropriate time. When we see honour and glory coming our way, it is time to be humble and thank our God for His blessings upon us. We should always remember that, the glory of God, is His presence among His people with wonders and miracles. And the glory of man is simply the manifestation of God’s blessings upon man.
That is his ingenuity, inborn capacity or capability to do things in a sophisticated manner. Usually, honour and glory is poured upon such people. It is important that those who receive such honour and glory to know their source, who is our Lord Father God Almighty. It is God who shares His glory with man and not vice-versa. Joseph became even more successful as Prime Minister in Egypt, because he humbled himself before the Lord.
Truly, we learn from the life of Joseph and his brothers that to be a follower of God, is not genetic, but something that is based on our faithfully obeying God’s teachings as we recognise His greatness, divinity and that He is the only true God and no other (Micah 7:18).
It is very clear that our God Almighty protected Joseph from any kind of mischief. In Potipher’s house, where he worked as a house servant, Joseph rejected sin (Genesis 39:1-26). That was a merit for him. Temptation comes from the devil, and we should make every effort to resist the devil, through prayer. It is written “pray without ceasing.” (1st Thess 5:17).
In the Book of 1st Corinthians 10:13, it is written: “The temptations in your life, are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you the way out so that you can endure,” This is the reason why we should pray for God’s help when we are tempted.
Our first step is to run away from temptation when we see it coming. (Please read 2nd Timothy 2:22). We should allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, even in all other kinds of trouble. That was the case with Joseph, so much so that even King Pharaoh and Potipher the Egyptian officer was able to recognise the Spirit of God in Joseph (Genesis 41:37-38).
This can come about if only we can present ourselves before the Lord with a humble and obedient heart. Deut 7:9, says “Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, faithful God, which keep His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes, his unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.”
Joseph was thrown in a pit, it could have been terrible for him, as he was thrown there to die, but our God Almighty, had a different plan for Joseph. His faithfulness upon Joseph stood firm. Later on, sold to slave traders and then in prison. Joseph therefore lived four lives. As a shepherd, a slave, a prisoner and as prime minister. Even for those bad times he spent in life, he still had the spiritual capacity to forgive his brothers. For all what they did to him. This is a big lesson for us all. Every wrong can be forgiven. It is godly to forgive, because God forgave us first. This He did by sending His one and only begotten Son, here on earth. (John3:16).
The Bible in 1st Peter 4:19, says: “if you are suffering in the manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right and trust your lives to the God of who created you, for he will never fail you.” This means that we must trust God at all times. Either in suffering or in happiness. Trust in the Lord, over comes fear, it is trust in the Lord that overcomes depression or hate.
Joseph did not see reason for hating his brothers for everything was being controlled by his God. It is written in the book of Genesis 45:3-8. Joseph instead thanked God for remaining faithful to him, even when Joseph went through tribulations. Hate for his brothers is what God removed from the mind of Joseph. This is a great lesson to us. God will always remain faithful to us as he will remove every hate we have in our minds, of us his believers.
God’s unfailing power can be seen as when Joseph ascends to power in Egypt. His endurance comes to an end, in a fast manner. He endured slavery, he endured working as house servant and above all, he endured being a prisoner in a foreign land. God remained faithful to him, and he remained faithful to his God. He did not know where the world was taking him, but nevertheless, he never got disappointed at last. His love for his brothers was really great. He loved them to the end.
The will of God upon man, is always wanting to do good. God protected Joseph up to the very end. Our God made sure that Joseph remained a good tree. As it is written in Matthew 7:17: which says: “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” God Almighty made sure that Joseph remained a good tree despite the problems he went through. It is not easy to remain in a state Joseph remained unless the Lord God Almighty was with him. The faithful God.
The life of Joseph, was one of kindness. As it is written in Ephesians 4:32, “be kind to one another.” Joseph was kind to his fellow prisoners and when they heard that their friend Joseph was Prime Minister of Egypt, they were glad for their friend became one important person. This is what kindness brings about, a blessing.
All of us are to live a pre-medidated life, according to the will of God. We become what we are as per will of God. But the wickedness and weakness of man, may turn us into criminals, alcoholics and many others, conditions that are controlled by the evil one.
This unfortunately comes about when we become not obedient to the word of God. In 2nd Thess 3:3 the bible says “But the Lord is faithful, he will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.” We should take these attacks from the evil one, with a pinch of salt, carefully, denying its influence upon our lives. We should pray all the time (1st Thess5:17). Read the Bible frequently, and only choose friends who can help us lead a Christian life. (Please read Jeremiah 29:11-12).
And by trusting our God Almighty, we shall have rescue from condemnation of sin, since we shall receive forgiveness of sins. (Isaiah1:18-19), and our righteousness shall forever be assured in the name of our Lord God Almighty.
In the Book of 2nd Timothy2:13, the Bible says: “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful for He cannot deny himself”, God is faithful, he will stay by our side, even if we endure so much trouble here on earth, as long as we trust Him, the Lord God the Most High.
May the Lord God Almighty bless our Republican President, his government, to remain focused in his developmental projects. We pray in the name of our Lord Christ Jesus. Amen.
