God Is Working (Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28)
1Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. 2This is the story of the family of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. 4But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.
12Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. 13And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” He answered, “Here I am.” 14So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron.
He came to Shechem, 15and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” 16“I am seeking my brothers,” he said; “tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” 17The man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. 18They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. 19They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” 21But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 22Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him” — that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. 23So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; 24and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
25Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed. 28When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.
As we strive to grow in our faith amidst a world of trouble, as God forms us into mature Christians from which we better reflect His goodness, maybe it would be salubrious to consider the implications of the story of Joseph. As opposed to some philosophies that are founded on the principle of avoiding suffering, Christianity embraces suffering as a necessary step toward wholeness and healing. We must remember that Christ suffered first as an example and consider ourselves as followers willing to respond in like fashion for the betterment of others. Afterall, it’s not only about us, but about the development of a community where people share responsibilities as we work toward a respectful and just environment where peace abides. If you are suffering today, take heart: it is going somewhere good. God is leading you to a spacious place where you can breathe in the surrounding beauty and marvel at how He has blessed you abundantly.
The story of Joseph is rooted in the ancestral line of Abraham, a man who never waivered in his faith despite circumstances, who believed in a God who could bring something out of nothing, who walked by faith rather than site. Joseph must have internalized this posture, this attitude, and taken it on as his own. God then planted a bud of hope in his heart through a dream where honor was promised and direction was set. God, knowing how the brothers would respond, started things in motion. Through their evil good would come. Out of the crucible of trial, blessings would prevail and the line of Abraham would be provided for, sustained, and propelled forward.
A similar promise awaits you in Proverbs 3: 6: “In all your ways acknowledge (God), and he will make straight your paths.” I don’t know about you, but when trouble and sorrow come, I want to be certain that it is due to God’s benevolent plan; not because of my own willful sin. We all need this confidence. Once there, we can exuberantly claim like Paul in Romans that “in all things God works to the good for those who believe” (8: 28). Then we have clarity of sight. Only then can we persevere.
In considering the mystery of God’s providence it is important to know that God is not responsible for evil. Rather, people are “tempted (and then act) when they are dragged away by their own evil desires and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, gives birth to death” (James 1: 13-15). Joseph’s brothers acted on their own accord and are culpable. But God, who is outside of time, who sees past, present, and future all at once and orchestrates accordingly, made a way which would lead to ultimate good. The dream would be fulfilled. And God in his wonderous mercy and grace would have his way.
If you are being inundated by tribulation right now, take heart! The story of Joseph is within grasp teaching a perspective, giving insight, and encouraging you in your journey. I know that when we are being buffeted by wind and waves God may seem distant. But don’t doubt, and don’t fear. God is here. If you through self-examination find that you are in the wrong, take your medicine and be restored. But if by no fault of your own you are experiencing oppression or harassment, are surrounded by trouble, stand firm and wait on the Lord. God is working for the good right now. Look for it and find your way out. Vindication is at hand. God cares about justice. And he cares about you. One way or another God’s goodness will prevail. And when seen through the rearview mirror it’s a wonder to behold.