Joseph: Through the Fire
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:2
One of the lessons that resounded with me last year was that with God, the way up is down. This is a difficult lesson to accept, but Joseph’s life proves to be a great teacher of this. Join me as we go through the stages of vision Joseph encountered on the way to its accomplishment.
Stage 1: Receive the Vision
Myles Munroe once defined vision as the dream for your life. When Joseph received the vision for his life he was seventeen years old. He was so ecstatic about receiving the vision that he pretty much shouted it from the rooftop, much to the chagrin of his family.
Joseph had a dream and when he told it to his brothers, 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?” […]
Genesis 37:5-8
Joseph received his vision of rulership once more (Genesis 37:9-11).Why is this important? Joseph reveals the reason in his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream:
The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God and God will do it soon.
Genesis 41:32
And soon after receiving the dreams of his life, God began to move the wheels of the fulfillment of vision.
Stage 2: Discomfort
Joseph was the beloved son of his father Jacob (Genesis 37:3). As such he was highly favoured and life was good. With the exception of the hatred of his brothers, to which he seemed oblivious.
But, after receiving the vision, his life took an abrupt turn. His brothers, were used by God to get Joseph out of his comfort zone and into the location God intended for him (Genesis 45:7-8).
They sold him into slavery.
They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen […]
Genesis 42:21
In a matter of minutes Joseph went from being his father’s favourite to being merchandise, put up for sale. (See Genesis 37). His life turned upside down.
Stage 3: Strategic Location
Unbeknownst to Joseph, his dream was set up in Egypt. And because he had accepted the vision for his life, God now had permission to locate Joseph exactly where he wanted him- Egypt.
But it was not enough to be in Egypt, he had to be strategically located within Egypt itself. He had to be close to power, for he was to be a ruler in Egypt.
Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.
Genesis 39:1
Stage 4: The Training
Joseph was now at the right place at the right time. As a result, he began to stand out from the other slaves. His fruitfulness was noted by his master and as a result, he was given authority.
When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favour in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
Genesis 39:3-4
Joseph was now getting first hand experience of how to handle the affairs of those in the Egyptian government. God was giving him practical training that He knew Joseph would require later on.
So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate […]
Genesis 39:6
Stage 5: The Test
Joseph was experiencing the highest level of success possible in his position. He was learning Egyptian protocols and culture. He was successful in everything he did and as a result those around him prospered as well. Life was starting to look “up” for him.
It is clear that he had learnt humility, diligence and tact. But to go where God wanted him to go, he needed to go through a test. The test of character.
and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused[…] No-one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”
And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even to be with her.
One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
Genesis 39:7-12
Joseph passed the test. What was the reward for passing the test? Another test:
Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined[…]
Genesis 39:20
We shall continue from here tomorrow ☺