Trials

Genesis 37

We now are introduced to the next main character of Genesis, Joseph. He will take the spotlight for the rest of the chapters.  Joseph was the first son that Rachel had. Remember it was hard for Rachel and Jacob to have children and God finally blessed them with Joseph.

 How it starts-

The story of Joseph starts with him telling on his brothers as they were working. Man, Joseph was one of those annoying brothers that would tell on you for every little bad thing you did. Jacob favored Joseph more than all the brothers which did not help Joseph’s popularity among the other guys. He was also spoiled as his dad gave him a coat with many colors, which was a sign of significance and that he pretty much did not have to work hard like the other brothers. I know reading this, I was somewhat mad because Joseph was that spoiled, goody-goody, tattletale boy. His brothers really  did not like him and there was a day that Joseph had a dream and he shared this dream with his brothers. The dream was that all his brothers would be bowing down before him. Remember Joseph is the young brother, he is only 17 and all the others are grown men. Hearing this was not soothing to their ears which added to them hating him even more. To add to their hate Joseph gives another dream. This time the sun and moon and 11 stars were bowing to him. This was in their face, I am going to be over  you guys and even over dad. Now Joseph had no idea what the next many years were going to bring him. He had no idea that God was going to have trials come his way and this dream would come true.

The first Trial-

Joseph’s brother really did not like him and so they were planning on killing him, but the good older brother Judah stepped in and said let us not kill him but sell him into slavery.  They did this and told Jacob that Joseph was killed by a wild animal. They sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for only 20 pieces of silver.  In Jacob’s eyes, Joseph was dead. The Bible does not give the detail of what Joseph thought or said during the time he was in the pit but we will see in the future chapters that Joseph relied on the Lord.We will all go through trials. Every single one of us will face these. A trial will be a hardship in our life. This was just the beginning for Joseph. He lost his family, his placement in life, his house, his possessions, he lost his name in way, etc. What trials do we face, the loss of a friend or family member? Maybe it is family problems and it is tough? There are also financial issues that will come  up. But who is bigger than any problem or trial? God is, James 1:2-4 tells us to count it joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for  you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let your steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. I know it is hard to have joy through trials, but you do grow through them, you do come out better than when you started. God allows us to go through it for a reason. We will see that through the trials of Joseph.