"Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children because he was the son of his old age." v3 Genesis 37:1-11 NKJV
Today, we start our exciting walk with Joseph, the one who came from slavery and became the Prime Minister of Egypt. Jacob's family was quite a dysfunctional one and Jacob's parenting skills left a massive room for improvement. He openly favoured Joseph, because he was the son of Rachel, the wife who had died and who Jacob truly loved. As often happens in families, this favouritism brought major jealousies from his siblings. They hated him.
Joseph, being only seventeen, was not very tactful and it could be said that he had a chip on his shoulder. He also would tell tales about his brothers to Jacob. Verse 3 tells us that Joseph brought a bad report about them to his father. No wonder they felt bad towards him. To top it all, Jacob gave Joseph a coat of many colours. This was a symbol of the privilege of the first born. Joseph may have been the first born to Jacob and Rachel, but he was definitely not he first born out of them all. This went very deep with the others.
Then, instead of keeping things to himself, Joseph had a series of dreams and told his siblings and father about them; how they would have to bow down to him v5-9. This infuriated the brothers but it is interesting about Jacob's response. He kept it in mind. v11. Joseph and the others didn't know it but this was prophetic, they would one day bow down to him. Little did they know how or why.
God brings detours in our lives, some that astound us. He does this in order to equip and teach us in His way. With God, we never know what is around the corner. You may be doing some particular job at this time and suddenly, God can turn up and practically push you through a door that you had never seen. heard about or had never even thought possible. He may not but, you have to be open to the fact that, when we give our lives to Him, He has the right to place us where He wants to.It can be exciting and indeed, it can be scary too.
Actually, don't forget, one day, along with everyone else, we will all have to bow down to the King of kings and give an account of our life while here on earth. Rather like Jacob, we need to keep this in mind. With Joseph, this was only the beginning and, it may be the same for you too. You may feel that you're too old to do great things for God. Wrong, God is not into ageism and grey hair does not phase Him either. In God, you are what He wants you to be.
Get ready for some excitement!
Copyriight 2021 Grahame Howard
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