Page 63 - Living Light 90

Monday November 10 - Examine yourself
“Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say
that a ferocious animal devoured him.” Genesis 37:20
For the rest of this week, we will examine the life of Joseph as part of God’s Big Picture, particularly as we notice how his unique adventures can offer parallels to the life of Jesus. In fact, the similarities are startling, although there is no hint of Jesus ever wearing a multicoloured tunic!
There’s an unsavoury theme that kicks off the story of Joseph. His brothers, who should love him, instead are jealous of the favour he had with his father, Jacob. This jealousy was translated into physical action, first plotting to kill him, then, instead, throwing him down a well and finally selling him off to traders. Decisiveness was evidently not their hallmark!
Similarities with the story of Jesus are astonishing. He, too, was earmarked for death by those who should have known better but instead felt threatened by him. ‘Then the chief priests and the elders of the people... schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him’ (Matthew 26:3-4). Joseph’s brothers sold him for silver coins, as did Judas as the price for his betrayal of Jesus. Joseph was stripped of his robe, as was Jesus, prior to his crucifixion.
There is a lesson here for us, too. Jealousy over someone else doing God’s work and earning favour is not a good thing. Examine yourself before you do or say anything you may later regret.
Father in heaven, please help me to see you in the actions of others and not do anything to impede your work. Amen.
Tuesday November 11 - Good from bad
Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. Genesis 39:20
We’ve seen the scenario before in countless TV dramas. A handsome servant who resists the attention of his mistress is eventually falsely accused of an assault and punished. Perhaps the saga of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife provided the template for this? Joseph ends up in jail, accepting his fate, although he possibly could have proved his innocence. The jail is his destiny, though he doesn’t know it yet.
By contrast, Jesus did know that arrest and trial was his destiny. Unlike Joseph, he was in full control of the timing of his trial and incarceration, but, in common with Joseph, he was arrested as an innocent man. He, too, could have protested his innocence but didn’t. ‘“Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?’” But Jesus remained silent’ (Matthew 26:62-63). Jesus knew that this was a part of God’s plan. Joseph probably suspected this too, as we read, ‘But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him...’ (Genesis 39:20-21). Now we may not be called into such dramatic scenarios, but God often brings good out of bad in our lives. I was once made redundant, only to find that it was a mistake and the company had to double my salary to re-employ me (it’s a long story!). When disaster seems imminent, just hold back for a moment – it may not always be what it seems.
Father in heaven, please help me to see you in all circumstances that I encounter. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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