FAITHFUL SERVICE UNDER ADVERSITY
FAITHFUL SERVICE UNDER ADVERSITY
From the time that he put Joseph in charge of his household and all he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household on account of him. —Genesis 39:5
While Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden, who put all those held in the prison under Joseph’s authority, so that he was responsible for all that was done there. —Genesis 39:20-22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Sx_U0Ztr8
He was ripped away from family by his brothers, sold into slavery and then considered dead by them. His father was deceived by these brothers into thinking that this one brother was eaten by wild beasts. How heart wrenching for this dad! What evil deeds by his brothers. Try to imagine Jacob’s horrific reality about what he had just been told about this son, his beloved son.
Even though Joseph had pleaded with his brothers not to sell him, they would not listen to his agonizing pleas. His brothers had conspired against him. They hated him. They wanted to kill him, but were kept back from doing so by Reuben. But while Reuben was gone the other brothers sold Joseph into slavery. Reuben was beside himself when he found out, but then they schemed together the story and provided evidence that Joseph was eaten by wild beasts. They never said it. They just provided Joseph’s bloody garment and let Jacob come to the conclusion that Joseph had been killed and eaten by wild beasts. How cruel these brothers were!
As we follow Joseph’s life from the point of being sold we see that the Lord had not abandoned him. Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, bought Joseph. “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned. From the time that he put Joseph in charge of his household and all he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household on account of him. The LORD’s blessing was on everything he owned, both in his house and in his field. So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate” (Genesis 39:2-6).
Joseph was falsely accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife and was thrown in prison. “While Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him. He granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden, who put all those held in the prison under Joseph’s authority, so that he was responsible for all that was done there. The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him and gave him success in whatever he did” (Genesis 39:20-23).
While in prison Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cup bearer and baker. The dreams came true and the cup bearer was restored to his place, the baker hanged. Joseph asked the cup bearer to remember him to Pharaoh because he was imprisoned falsely. He did not remember Joseph until two years later when Pharaoh had a dream that bothered him. Joseph was called to interpret them and did so. Then Pharaoh also told Joseph, “I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:41).
Faithful service while experiencing hardship is blessed by God and is a blessing to others! Are we being faithful in service whether we are under hardship or not? May it be so.
Dear Father may I serve You for the rest of my life regardless of what comes my way. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.