Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stripped Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; 24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. 26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. 28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
This passage of scripture describes for us the bitter disappointment Joseph must have experienced when he came to understand the deep hatred some of his brethren had towards him. What must have made the whole experience even more difficult to bear was the fact that God had given him dreams of what could be described as a bright future in a leadership role, so when he was cast into the pit, and then sold into slavery at the hands of his own brothers, it was particularly difficult and heart wrenching for him to deal with.
According to the Biblical record, Joseph had come to his brothers bring food for them, for they were shepherds, keeping their flocks in the open air, in the heat of the day, and so they must have been very hungry. So when they took the food he brought, and started eating, whilst he was thrown in a pit, he was not expecting that kind of treatment, in exchange for the kindness he had done. And worst yet, the prospect of being sold as a slave, to be taken to a foreign country with a foreign language, must have really burst Joseph's bubble. And as he saw his native land fading in the distance, he was overwhelmed with disappointment, grief, and fear of the unknown. However, throughout the entire ordeal, the scripture says that The Lord was with Joseph, and that singular statement made all the difference in the world. Let's read:
Genesis 39:2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
Sometimes in our life experiences, situations arise suddenly, which we were not expecting or catering for, and if these situations bring us face to face with trouble or imminent danger, we are perplexed as to the reasons why such things should occur out of nowhere. Whenever we have to endure such trials, let us remember that "The Lord was with Joseph", and He will be with us also, for he Has stated this in a most solemn promise to all who trust in Him. Let's read:
Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee"... "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour".... 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee".... 5 Fear not: for I am with thee"...
Life is full of surprises, some good and others not so good, but through the various challenges and unexpected circumstances we may go through, let us always remember that this world as we know it, is not our ultimate home, and therefore whatever may come our way is just for but a season, and will one day fade into insignificance, in contrast with the glory that is soon to be revealed.
We therefore end with a riddle that should provoke thought and contemplation, whilst at the same time focusing our minds not on current perplexities, but of the coming deliverance from God Himself. In the passage for today we see that it was Judah who suggested that Joseph not be killed, and the reason for his proposal was that "He is our flesh". Is it then a coincidence that Jesus Christ who partook of our own flesh and blood, came up with the proposal that we be not slain, and that as our High priest in the heavens, He came not from the tribe of Levi, as all other priests, but from the tribe of Judah? Let's read:
Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood".. "what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
May God add His blessing to the study and meditation of His word. God bless!