Psalms 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. 20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
Joseph spent no less than ten full years in Jail, as he waited and hoped for deliverance. Yet, the scripture states clearly that The Lord was with Joseph, which means that the dross which needed to be removed from his character must be accomplished, before he could be trusted with the weighty responsibilities of being the second head of state.
Another lesson we can extract from the experiences of those who have gone before, is that desperation should not allow our faith in God to be shaken. This one is huge, for human frailty and unbelief can loom pretty large in the face of exasperation about the unknown. As John sat in prison, he expected Jesus to at least come and visit him, for two very valid reasons, as far as John was concerned. [1] Because Jesus was his relative. [2] Because he, John was the stipulated forerunner of Christ.
Thus, as the days turned into weeks, and as weeks turned into months, John’s faith was severely tested to the point where he agreed to send some of his disciples to find out if Christ was the promised One Israel was to look for. These things are written in the scriptures so that we who study them may learn the important lessons of trusting in God against all odds.
Matthew 11:2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!