The case of Joseph Week 5, 2016

“You say that obedience to parents bring opportunity for greatness. Why is it then that in the case of Joseph his obedience brought him trouble?”

In what way? God’s word is true for all men and all ages. How do you mean?

“So Israel said, "See how your brothers and the flocks are doing, and bring some news back to me." Then he sent Joseph away from the Hebron Valley Gen 37:14(GW). It was when he obeyed his father’s instruction that he landed in trouble. Now as soon as they saw him approaching from a distance, before he arrived they plotted together to kill him. Then Judah suggested to his brothers, "Where's the profit in just killing our brother and shedding his blood? Come on! Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites!” Gen 37:18, 26-27(ISV). If he didn’t go surely no harm would have befallen him. He would have remained safe.”

When I said obedience brings opportunity I didn’t mean the exact steps are same...

“Ah there you go, I said it. The matter cannot be generalised.”

Of course they can be generalised. The case of Joseph is not different. The steps in the blessing differ but the results are the same. The time of manifestation differs but the end is the same. Saul obeyed his father and was anointed king in a few days; David did same and became a hero overnight. People love instant results and immediate gratification. God does not work that way many a time. What appears to be a setback following obedience is not that. Joseph was sold as a slave but that was his opportunity to have his destiny as saviour of his kindred, indeed saviour of many lives, fulfilled. God sent me ahead of you to rescue you in this amazing way and to make sure that you and your descendants survive Gen 45:7(GNB). There are times we obey God and get wounded. At such times the feeling is “If I had not obeyed would I not have been spared this trouble?” but obey fully like Joseph no matter the consequence. From slavery he went down to the prison unjustly. But if you will walk in obedience like him you will see eventually the hand of God. So it was not really you who sent me here, but God Gen 45:8(GNB).

“What do you mean by obey fully?”

Have you noticed Joseph was sent to Shechem? When Joseph reached Shechem, a man found him wandering around in a field. So the man asked him, "What are you looking for?" Gen 37: 14, 15(ISV). He might have gone back to his father to report he could not see them. He searched and searched until God provided a way to fulfill his father’s request, and God’s divine plan.

“One would have said this was the enemy at work to nail him. Imagine he could have returned safely but for that man…”

What is safety? What is disaster? A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps Prov 16:9(ISV). I know that whatever happens to a man in line of sincere obedience to God is always worked out by Him for good.