A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/6

 

                                                             Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                   FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                          PART VI

"You will not believe what has happened to me, Joseph... Early this morning,I, the favourite son of my father Jacob, left his tent.... Because he had asked me to go and see my brothers... For my father wanted to make sure they were well...It took me quite some time to find them... But I eventually did... I was very pleased to see them.. However, to my shock and horror they treated me roughly... They took off my special coat my father had given me... And they then threw me into an empty cistern... I begged them to take me out of it... But they did not respond to my pleas... Instead, they just sat down and enjoyed their lunch...I then heard them talk to a group of men... They were foreigners... I could not hear every word of their conversation... But they seemed to be talking about a sale of "something."....I heard too that the agreed price for that "item" was twenty shekels.... To my surprise I was pulled out of the cistern...I wanted to thank my brothers for finally responding to my pleas.... And allowing me to go home...But they did not allow me to go home to my father...Instead, they handed me over to these foreigners...I then understood that I was the "item" they had sold to these men... My own brothers had sold me to these merchants for twenty shekels!!....I am now on my way to Egypt to be sold as a slave....Only this morning I was the favourite son of my father Jacob...Now I am a slave on my way to Egypt.... Does God know what is happening to me?"... And what about the dreams He has given to me?"....Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Joseph is sold to merchants who are on their way to Egypt....

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                                  PART VI

While Joseph is in the cistern in the field near Dothan, the brothers are sitting nearby eating their lunch when a group of merchants pass by as you can read in Genesis 37:25-28

As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt. Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed. So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

Seeing the merchants, gives Judah, one of the brothers, the idea that they should sell Joseph to them for, after all, he is their brother and deserves "their kindness." And so Joseph is sold for twenty shekels to the merchants, who are on their way to Egypt.

Read Part Seven HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/5

 

                                                             Read Part One HERE                            

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                 FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                       PART V 

"I, Joseph, my father Jacob's favourite son, am so overwhelmed with what has just happened to me... I still cannot believe it... But when I look around I know it is true... I have been thrown into a pit.... And by my own brothers... I have been begging them to take me out... But it seems they are completely ignoring me... I was so pleased when I finally found them here in the fields near Dothan... They noticed me as well... I was going to let them know how pleased I was to have found them... But I never had a chance... The moment I got near they grabbed me... They took off my richly ornamented robe... I told them to be please be careful with my coat... For our father had given it to me...But they just laughed.... And they told me I did not need it anymore... I did not understand what that meant...However, they then they threw me into this empty cistern... And they told me they would just leave me in it... What am I do to? I can only go on crying out to them for mercy... Perhaps they will take pity on me.... I am, after all, their brother."... Pleasse read the typed out attachment when you will learn what happened to Joseph when he arrived in Dothan...

                   ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                              FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                                PART V

Before Joseph reaches his brothers, who are grazing their flocks near Dotham they spot him. Anger towards their brother rises up withim them so they plot to get rid of him as you can read                         in Genesis 37:18-24 

But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other."Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue them from their hands."Let's not take his life," he said, "Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe - the richly ornamented robe he was wearing - and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was emptly; there was no water in it.

The oldest brother Reuben does not want to have Joseph killed so he suggests that they throw him into an empty cistern, which is what they do. He then plans to take him out of that cistern later on.

Read Part Six HERE

                                               

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/4

 

                                                            Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                   FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                         PART IV

"My father Jacob asked me, Joseph, his favourite son, to go and see my brothers... They have taken our flock to Shechem to graze them there... I usually stay at home with my father... For he does not like for me to go with my brothers.... I think he would worry about me if I did go with my brothers to take care of our flock...And I prefer to stay home with my father and keep him company.... Rather than go with my brothers to take care of the flock.... I am really someone who likes the comforts of home... I cannot imagine what it would be like having to stay out at night with the flock.... Rather than being snug in my own tent at night.. It can get very cold at night, you see.... Moreover, I would get homesick if I had to stay away from home... I would miss seeing my father... And he would miss seeing me... Anyway, I am sure I will always be with my father... And take care of him... Especially now that he is getting older... My father is usually not too worried about my brothers....But this time they have been away for longer than usual... That is why he has become somewhat concerned for their well being... So he asked me to go and visit them... To make sure they are ok... I did go to Shechem.... But I did not see them there... However, someone told me that they have gone to Dothan... I am on my way there now... I am sure I will find them there.... I am, of course, wearing my richly ornamented robe."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob asked Joseph to visit his brothers who have taken their flocks to graze in Shechem....

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                  FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                                        PART IV

Joseph's training is not done in Canaan but in Egypt. You may wonder how he got there. Let's read Genesis 37:12-17 to find out how that story begins to unfold

Now his (Joseph's brothers) had gone down to graze their father's flocks near Shechem, and Israel (Jacob) said to Joseph, "As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them." "Very well," he replied. So he said to him, "Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me." Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. When Joseph arrived at Shechem a man found him wandering in the fields, and asked him, "What are you looking for?" He replied, "I am looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?" "They have moved on from here," the man answered. "I heard them say, "Let's go to Dothan." So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan.

Jacob has asked his son Joseph to visit his brothers to see how they are doing. It takes him some time to find them because they have moved to a place called Dothan. 

Read Part Five HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/3

 

                                                             Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                    FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                       PART III

"I, Joseph, favourite son of my father Jacob, had another dream from God... It is the second dream God has given me in a short period of time... I wonder why that is... But, I am sure, both dreams will come true one day... I know that when I told my brothers my first dream, they were very upset with me...But I decided to tell them my second dream as well.... So I told them I had dreamed that the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.... It seems to me very clear that this dream is about my family bowing down to me one day... I thought they ought to know that this is going to happen... But my brothers do not agree with me... In fact, they are even more upset with me than before... But I have not done anything... I have only told them the truth.... It seems they do not like to hear the truth... I cannot imagine why they get so upset with me... Don't they understand that God has a special plan for my life?....  And that this plan includes my family bowing down to me? ... I wonder how and when that will happen.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of Joseph's second dream....

               ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                            FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                             PART III

Having shared with his brothers his first dream, Joseph than shared with them another dream as you can read in Genesis 37:9

Then he had another dream and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

Joseph, apparently, felt the need to tell his brothers not just his first dream but his second dream as well. This shows us that Joseph was far from ready to actually do what God called him to do so God sent him for some training. This was a training program that was tailor made for him to build godly character into Joseph's life.

Likewise, you may not as yet have seen happen in your life what you believe God has in mind for you and you don't understand why that is so. Very likely, that is because you need further training to be made ready for what God has for you to do. And it will be a training program specifically for you for God knows you and knows what needs to be done in you before He can work through you.

Read Part Four HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/2

 

                                                             Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                      PART  II

I, Joseph, favourite son of my father Jacob, am having quite a hard time... My brothers have nothing kind to say to me... I am not sure why that is so... It is true that our father Jacob prefers me over them.... He must have his reasons for doing so...Moreover, it seems that God favours me over my brothers as well... The reason I say this is because He gave me a special dream the other night....I decided to tell my brothers this dream... For I am sure the dream reveals facts about them and me... In my dream I saw us binding sheaves of corn out in the field... My sheaf stood upright... And the sheaves of my brothers gathered round mine... And bowed down to it.... They did not like me telling them this dream...I do not understand why they got so upset with me....I was just telling them something that I believe will happen one day...Was it wise of me to tell hem my dream? Perhaps not... But I am only 17 years old... Perhaps I have still to learn a few things even as a favourite son of my father."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Joseph shared his dream with his brothers...

                   ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                   FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                                     PART II

As can be expected, Jacob's favouritism of Joseph caused his brothers to become very jealous as you can read in Genesis 37:4

When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

Their jealousy only increased when they found out that God had given Joseph a very special gift; that of receiving and understanding dreams as you can read in Genesi 37:5-8

Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brother, they hated him all the more. He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of corn out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered round mine and bowed down to it. His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

Joseph's behaviour was unwise and showed his immaturity. Consequently, his brothers disliked him intensely. Perhaps you too believe that God has put a desire in your heart, you could call it a dream, to do something specific for Him. You may not know exactly what it is but you know it is from the Lord.

Read Part Three HERE

 

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/1

 

                          

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                 FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                       PART I

"I, Joseph, am one of Jacob's sons... My grandfather is Isaac and my great-grandfather is Abraham... My mother's name is Rachel... My father has twelve sons in total... However, I believe that I am his favourite son... The reason I believe this is because my father has given me a very special coat.... It is quite something... When I wear it it can be seen from far because of its very special design... It is a richly ornamented robe... My brothers do not seem to want me to wear my special coat... I am not sure why that is... I wonder if they are a little jealous of me... But I cannot help it if my father favours me over them... He must have his reasons for doing so."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jacob's favourite son is Joseph....

                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                        FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                                 PART I

Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob who was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. Joseph's mother was Rachel as you can read in Genesis 30:22-24

Then God remembered Rachel; He listened to her and opened her womb. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, "God has taken away my disgrace." She named him Joseph, and said, "May the Lord add to me another son."

Now Joseph was Jacob's favourite son as you can read in Genesis 37:3

Now Israel (or Jacob) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons because he had been born to him in his old age, and he made a richly ornamented robe for him.

Jacob showed his preference for Joseph by giving him a special coat, which was not a wise decision.

Read Part Two HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES; AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION P/12

 

                                                           Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION 

                                     PART XII

"I, Rebekah, made a very important decision the day I decided to leave my hometown Nahor to go to Canaan... The reason I decided to do so was because I understood God has a special plan for my life... It was up to me to obey it... I am so glad that I did... Of course, when I left that day with Abraham's servant Eliezer I had not idea that one day I would be the mother of Jacob... And the grandmother of his twelve sons... Out of whom would come the twelve tribes of Israel... Most importantly, of course, is the fact that one day the Saviour of the world would come from one of the tribes.... The Lord Jesus Christ.... I would like to ask you to be as obedient to God as I was... Because you matter to God as much as I did... And the Lord will bless you... And take care of you... And cause you to be a blessing to others.... You may not be asked to do what I was asked to do... But God has things for you to do that only you can do.... So go ahead and be obedient to Him no matter what the cost."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will how important it is to be obedient just as Rebekah was....

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                   AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                                               PART XII

Please understand that God has chosen this young unknown girl from nowhere to become the wife of Isaac. Not only was she chosen by Him to become the wife of Isaac, she was chosen by God to become the mother of Jacob and the grandmother of his twelve sons, out of whom would come the twelve tribes of Israel. Now Rebekah had no idea of these things when the question was put before her if she would be willing to go with this man to his home and his country far away from her home and her country to get married to someone she had never met. She could have said, "No" and if she had, we would, very likely, never have heard from her again. But she said "Yes" and showed thereby remarkable courage. She must have somehow known that this was the right path for her and that she should obey the God of Abraham, whom she, very likely, did not know personally at that time. And the blessings pronounced upon her at her departure have been fulfilled and will befulfilled yet more fully in the future.

Just as God had a specific plan for a young unknown girl from nowhere so He does have a plan for you as you can read in Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Pland to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Just as Rebekah dared to step out in obedience to God's plan for her life not knowing where it would lead, so God wants you to be obedient to Him and He will lead you every day of your life as you walk with Him trusting Him in everything and for everything for God knows you. He knows your needs and He knows your desires. Just as Rebekah mattered to you so you matter to Him as Jesus says                    in Matthew 6:26

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

So be like Rebekah and learn from her to willingly follow Jesus wherever He leads you for He will take care of you as you fulfill His plan for your life. Your willingness to serve the Lord in whatever way He wants you to will bless you and cause you to be a blessing to others. You may not be asked to marry a total stranger in a foreign land as Rebekah was, but God has things for you to do which only you can do so go ahead and be obedient to Him no matter what the cost, knowing that God will equip you for the things that He has for you to do as you can read in Ephesians 2:10

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

God wants to use you for His purposes and being obedient to Him will bring you true fulfillment. 

P.S. In my next post I will begin a series on Joseph "From the Pit to the Palace."

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION P/11

 

                                                          Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION 

                                     PART XI

"I, Abraham's servant, Eliezer, waited to hear what Rebekah's family here in Nahor had to say about my decision to return to my master in Canaan this very morning.... They thought I should stay for another ten days or so give Rebekah opportunity to say goodbye to her friends and family and to get ready for the journey.... I could understand that Rebekah's family may have wanted her to stay with them for a little longer since, very likely, they will never see her again once she goes to Canaan... However, I knew that I needed to return to Canaan to see my master... So I told Rebekah's family that I would not postpone my trip... They then decided to ask Rebekah what she wanted to do... And Rebekah told us she would go with me to Canaan... No doubt, the Lord had prepared her heart to make her willing to go with me on this long and tiring journey... And so Rebekah, her nurse, my men and I set off for Canaan earlier today.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Rebekah is willing to go to Canaan with Abraham's servant Eliezer...

                   ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 AN ALL IMPORTANT DECISION

                                                                 PART XI

Will Rebekah be willing to go back to Canaan with Arbraham's servant Eliezer? Let's read                      Genesis 24:55-61 to find out her response.

But her brother and her mother replied, "Let the girl remain with us ten days or so; then you may go." But he said to them, "Do not detain me, now that the Lord has granted me success to my journey. Send me on my way that I may go to my master." Then they said, "Let's call the girl and ask her about it." So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Will you go with this man?" "I will go, " she said. So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham's servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, "Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands may your offspring possess the gates of their enemies"

Rebekah's family realises that Rebekah is willing to go with Abraham's servant so they do not try to persuade her to remain at least for a few days but speak profound blessings over he life as she departs

Read Part Twelve HERE