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by Sandy Shaw
Let’s return to look at an important character, Joseph – most relevant in these present times. Joseph is given 14Chapters – Genesis 37 to 50 – and he faces some seven major setbacks in his life. Come, let’s revisit certain aspects of the life of Joseph.
Without this man there would be no nation of Israel today. It is a great story – and most people like great stories – this is a true story.
God can see the end of the picture – all the pieces of the puzzle – all the stepping stones. Setbacks are stepping stones when we trust God. God uses these to take you to places – to take you to where He wants you to be.
Jacob had 12sons from 4different women – four mothers in the family.
Much of Joseph’s life included a series of painful setbacks from the time of his dreams to do great things with his life – but God used them to position Joseph for a spectacular comeback that saved two entire nations – Israel & Egypt.
Joseph was brought up in a home where he was the favourite son – he was ignored and mistreated by his siblings. Jacob loved Joseph more than all the other sons – and his mother, Rachel, was Jacob’s favourite wife.
His bothers hated Joseph. His first setback came as he was growing up in a home where he was ignored and mistreated, and even hated. This is more common than we might realise.
“Now Jacob loved Joseph more than all of his other children because Joseph had been born in Jacob’s old age. So, one day Jacob gave Joseph a special ornamented robe. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than he loved them, they hated Joseph , and they would not even speak to him or acknowledge him. And when Joseph told his 11brothers about a great dream from God, they hated him even more!” Genesis Chapter 37 verses 3to 5
Joseph experienced a second setback when he was thrown into a pit out of rejection.
“One day, when Joseph’s brothers were out in the fields, they saw Joseph coming toward them from a distance and they made plans to kill him. ‘Here comes that dreamer!’ they exclaimed. “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into a deep pit. We can tell our father that a wild animal attacked and ate him. Then we’ll see what becomes of all his great dreams!” Genesis 37 verses 18 to 20.
This is pretty serious – thrown into a pit – rejected – left high and dry – in a desert – no water – just left to die.
“Reuben said, ‘Let’s not kill him, Let’s just throw him into this pit in the wilderness. That way we won’t shed any blood.’ He said this, secretly planning to save Joseph and send him back to his father. So, when Joseph arrived, his brothers stripped him of his favourite robe and then tossed him into the pit which was a dry well, without any water in it,”
Genesis 37verses 21to 24
A third setback arises when Joseph is sold for money. Do read the details.
Genesis 37 verse 26 to 28 - “After they threw Joseph into the pit, the brothers sat down to eat dinner. But then they saw a caravan of traders passing by, headed to Egypt, with camels that were loaded down with spices, balm and myrrh. Then Judah said to his brothers, ‘We won’t gain anything if we just let our brother die in this pit, and we’ll all share in a murder cover-up. So why don’t we do this: Let’s sell off our brother to these traders! All the brothers thought that was a good idea. So, they sold Joseph for 20 shekels to the traders who took him to Egypt.”
Why do we not make some money off our brother?
The majority is not always right. Morality is never decided by a majority but by what God says in His Word.
People get sold in the business world – overlooked – rejected – not promoted and someone else is promoted for wrong reasons. And thousands of others in 2024are ‘trafficked’ – for all kinds of reasons.
“Almighty Father – Your Word covers all kinds of sad situations and scenarios – and is relevant in all ages – and uncovers the depths of distress and hurts and pains. For the honesty of Your Word, we give thanks. Help us to learn the lessons. Jesus, you experienced the deepest of hurts and pains – and you spoke words of forgiveness on that day when men did horrendous and horrific things to you – nailing you to the tree. We give thanks. Help us to be obedient and loyal and loving and faithful disciples.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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