Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Based Upon Genesis 37:23–28

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“And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.”

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Can you imagine how hurt Jacob would have been had he known how his own sons plotted against Joseph, their brother? Never in a million years could he have anticipated the utter hatred they would have toward their brother, who had done nothing to them, except love them, share a dream with them, and whose life was a reminder of how they should live. They hated, plotted against, and mentally murdered Joseph. Yeah, sometimes we congratulate Judah or give him a pass, because he seemed to have a bit of compassion, but really, was he all that compassionate? True, he said that they should not kill him, but rather sell him down the river for 20 pieces of silver. But, after violently taking Joseph’s coat, thrusting him into a pit where no water was, and dragging him up out of the pit, the brothers betrayed him into the hands of slave traders who would carry him to be captive in Egypt. Are you getting this? How would they have treated Joseph if they really understood that he would become the savior of their mortal lives? How would they have treated him, had they recognized God’s call on him, and how that call would affect the lives of everyone living anywhere under the influence of the mighty land of Egypt?

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It’s amazing how far we can stray when our lives are not fully committed to our Father, which is in heaven! By now, you should be drawing mental parallels in your mind with the story of Jesus, His own people, and all others who would ever hope to be saved from eternal ruin. You see, as in the story of Joseph, Jesus’ own people, in the words of John, “received him not!” As in the story of Joseph, there was one man in Jesus’ experience that had the not-so-bright idea to betray our Savior into the hands of unbelieving people for a meager sum of silver coins. As in the story of Joseph, those who should have loved Jesus the most, all turned their backs on Him. They all forsook Him and fled. They all drove a dagger into the heart of their heavenly Father, by the mistreatment of His precious Son. And, evil men mocked Him with a purple robe, stripped Him, and then crucified Him. Are you getting this? How would they have treated Jesus if they really understood that he would become the Savior of their eternal lives? How would they have treated him, had they really recognized God’s call on Him, and how that call would affect the lives of everyone who would ever live?

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These ancient Bible stories are not recorded for us to simply read, and shake our heads at the shameful parts and rejoice about the elements of triumph. If we do not glean from them, vital life lessons, we are doomed to repeat the failures of those who have gone before us.

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How do you treat the Son of your heavenly Father? When He shows nothing but love, shares His dreams for your life, and just wants to be with you wherever you go, do you receive Him? Do you ever have the not-so-bright idea to use your relationship with Him for selfish gain, when it is convenient for you?...