RTW January 14

Lessons From Joseph

But the LORD was with Joseph in the prison and showed him His faithful love.
Genesis 39:21

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

Don’t take my identification for something cheap and temporary.
Jacob’s lust cost him a lot.

Something New

What can we learn from a youngin’?

  • It’s not just what you say, but also the attitude in which it is said.
    Joseph has the excuse of being young and spoiled. What’s my excuse?
  • God’s plans for a period of captivity might be for a time of maturity.
    God’s plans are good, even the ones we think are bad. Will I embrace or resist His plans?
  • The Lord is always with us and will help us succeed.
    Even in the hard places, we can succeed when we maintain our relationship with God.
    Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:21 

Joseph’s relationship with God isn’t recorded, but implied.

Perhaps Joseph had more lessons to learn: pride to humbled, leadership skills sharpened, or submission to be practiced; that is why he had to go back to the pit.

Something to Do

Allow God to mature me in the way He sees fit. His ways are higher than mine.

 

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4 Comments

  1. My Takeaways:
    This is where I have so many questions. I find it strange that Judah is the line that Jesus comes from and not Joseph? Though to me it seems as if Joseph would be the obvious choice. Also I ponder how the first borns are not the leaders as I would think. Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac, Jacob and Esau, and now Judah- who was Leah’s last born son from Jacob. It’s hard for me to understand why these younger ones got the blessings or birthrights. I’m just very confused. Jesus came from the line of Judah and Tamar and not the line of Joseph which is very surprising to me.

    Something Old: Joseph was Jacobs favorite son and gave him a special gift- a beautiful robe.

    Something New:.”The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.” Genesis 39:23

    Something To Do: Am I diligent and positive in the matters set before me, even those that seem hopeless? I need to remember Joseph’s example and do my best in every situation. God will know my heart. Romans 8:28 ” And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

    1. Many have wondered this same thing. It makes little sense to man, but God chooses who He chooses. (God’s ways are higher than our ways)

      Some theorize that God had a heart for Leah’s years of suffering and when she had Judah she exclaimed, “This time I praise Adonai”. Therefore God specially honored her choice to praise Him in the midst of all her striving. She never felt loved by her husband and God blessed her in an extraordinary way.

      There are also thoughts on the part that the lineage of David plays.

      Bear in mind that just because Joseph was Jacob’s favorite it does not mean he was God’s favorite. God had specific and special plans for Joseph’s life, which were fulfilled. He also had a designated role for Judah. (Clearly Reuben, Simeon and Levi disqualified themselves by their choices.)

      I love your questions. They show a deep desire to understand. Being a lifelong questioner-on-a-quest….I appreciate them so much. But as I have aged, I have grown more and more accustomed to not always getting clear answers and not always understanding the answers I do get. ‘Just trying to be grateful for the journey …….and for the opportunity to share thoughts on RTW.

  2. I noticed that Joseph’s dreams showed the older serving the younger. God told Joseph’s grandma, Rebekah, that her older son would serve her younger son. It seems as if the family history is repeating itself!

  3. Something Old
    Joseph was Jacob’s favorite. You would think Jacob might have learned from the favoritism of his own parents that this can lead to much trouble and heartache, as with himself and Esau. On the other hand, it might be understandable that he loved Joseph most……he is one of only two Old Testament characters about which nothing bad is recorded. (Daniel is the other). We only read of Joseph’s honesty, integrity, courage and hard work. Easy to see why Jacob would favor him! I’ve often wondered why scripture does not mention that he also might have been favored because he was the first born of his most beloved wife…..Rachel. It says only that he “had been born to him in his old age”, but so was Benjamin.

    Something New
    A little different perspective…..Joseph’s brothers hated him and we often conclude it was simply because their father favored him or because he was boastful about his dreams. But scripture also tells us that Joseph was OBEDIENT in bringing back reports to his father of bad behavior by his brothers. Genesis 37:2 indicates, “But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.” Clearly they were not exemplary sons. It was evident that God’s favor was upon Joseph and Jacob seems somewhat aware of this. (Genesis 37:11b). The dreams that Joseph had may have acted as confirmation to Jacob that he was, indeed, God’s sovereign choice….and that often leads to the jealousy of those who must submit or accept that truth. The brothers decision to consider murdering and eventually selling Joseph into slavery actually proves that they should not have been the chosen ones.

    Something To Do
    Be willing to respect God’s choices ….even when they do not meet my liking.

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