Encouragement

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He was the first-born son of a woman who was jealous that her sister was getting more attention because of her ability to bear children. His mother was the loved wife but she was barren. At one time God remembered her and opened up her womb. She became pregnant and bore a son. She said, “God has taken away my disgrace.” She named him Joseph and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.” So the name Joseph means “May He add.”

THE DREAMER

This is the account of Joseph. One day aged 17 Joseph was tending his father’s sheep with his brothers, and returning home brought a bad report about them to his father Jacob. For this reason there was tension between his brothers and him. How could he sell out? After all it was something that had happened when they were out in the fields.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his brothers because he was born in his old age and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. This garment represented his father’s favour. It was a beautiful robe that distinguished him from the rest of his brother. Because of this his brothers hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. It seemed his father saw him better than his brothers and as a result a grudge developed against him.

One day Joseph had a dream and he innocently told his brothers about it. In his dream, while they were gathering sheaves, his brothers’ sheaves come around his and bowed down before it. His brothers were infuriated because they felt that the last-born was implying that he would rule over them. Who was he and what was he up to? Was it because his father had spoilt him that he saw himself as the boss?

Joseph had another dream. This time the sun moon and eleven stars were bowing down to him. I believe that this would have blown their hats off their heads when he told them the dream. Even his father chastised him for the dream. What was wrong with this picture? Joseph was full of himself, these guys must have thought. And his coat of many colours was fooling him as well.

Was it true that the family would one day bow down before Joseph? Though his brothers hated him for it, Israel kept the matter in mind. There was need for a discerning parent because these dreams were becoming unusual. Parents you need to be sensitive to the things that your children tell you. Remember that in Joel 2:28 we read that young man will see visions. Joseph was termed a dreamer but of what significance were his dreams going to be if they were not well understood? Probably you have also been termed a dreamer by others, what are you planning to do about it?

Joseph had a vision and maybe it was too bad that he didn’t understand it as well. One man of God sharing on life’s issues says that Joseph was too immature to tell the dream to his brothers in the way he did because he assumed that it would be as it was in the dream. Hold on son of man. Understand your dreams before you go around telling them to everyone. You may be telling them to people who are not keen on being ruled by a 17 year old who knows nothing but being daddy’s favourite.

One day his brothers were out in the fields herding the flock when Israel told Joseph to go and see how his brothers were doing and bring back a word about them. Innocently the young man put on his favourite robe and off he went. Arriving at Shechem he was told that his brothers had moved to Dothan. So Joseph followed them and found them near Dothan.

“But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him” Genesis 37:18. To them the time had arrived to kill the dreamer so that his dreams wouldn’t become reality. God had been revealing things to the young man but here were people content on seeing what would become of his dreams.

Wake up dreamer and face the world. Remember those people you were telling your dreams to? They are looking for a way to kill you and say it was something else that killed you. I said earlier be careful of whom you share your vision. They may not necessarily be members of your family that may want to see your downfall but be vary thereof.

Joseph could have been singing praise songs all the way, not knowing that this would be the start of an unplanned and unbudgeted journey that was going to change not only the complexion of his life but the face of history. Unknowingly he was going to be the pacesetter. And that more than he had ever experienced in his short life was coming to pass very soon.

Hearing the plot to kill him, Reuben said, “Let’s not take his life. Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don’t lay a hand on him’. He said this to rescue him from him and take him back to his father.” Don’t touch the anointed of the LORD lest you incur the wrath of His fury. Reuben had a vision of that which God had deposited in Joseph’s life.

Though he didn’t understand it at the time, a day was coming when he would remember this day. Joseph had a purpose and all it took was a man who knew not to lay his hand on an anointed one. He knew that life was sacred and was not prepared to lose one. This life you have is not for the enemy to toy around with so be sure it will be preserved.

Joseph was chosen specially by God in as much as he has chosen you and I as sons in His Kingdom. Let me assure you that no weapons or plans fashioned against you will prevail because God has set His watchmen on guard for your life. If you have a dream hold onto it because nothing can take that away from you. Here was the devil seeking to stop God’s divine plan of securing the future of Israel.

Remember that Joseph’s brothers hated him with such a deep passion because he had the symptoms of a great and influential future. What brother or sister would want to be ruled by the youngest? If Joseph was hated what makes you so special that people hate you and that they all want you dead? Pick up you bags and go out to where they are because something that will change both your and their future is waiting for you.

There is a song that says, “From a distance God is watching you.” He indeed is watching that you come to your place of appointment. Fathers send out your children to their brothers in the field at Shechem because when they pass on and get to Dothan, your family’s future is going to be secured. There will be a Reuben that shall hear the plot to kill your Joseph and seek to prevent it so that something bigger takes place.
But in spite of such inspired words as these, Joseph came to his brothers and was stripped bare and thrown into a deep pit. His coat of favour was stripped off his back. The security and love from his father was gone. Nothing could identify him with his father anymore. He now had to face the future naked and lonely. How would you have fared?

In the cistern there was no water and this would compound Joseph’s fate. At least if he had been thrown in with his coat he would have got some solace from it. To make matters worse he was going to die of thirst. Does this sound familiar? If it does take heart you are not alone. Joseph was there before you and he will now provide the way out.

You may have been stripped of your richly ornamented spiritual armour that your Heavenly Father made especially with you in mind. You may have run dry with regard to your spiritual anointing but take heart because all hope is not lost. God has a plan for you. Someone is coming to get you and take you higher. Joseph didn’t know who or what it was but it was coming.

Meanwhile the other guys sat down to enjoy a meal whilst their young brother was starving and shaking in the pit. God has made it clear that there is no cistern that can continually hold you captive because He is alive and is watching over you to ensure that not even one of your bones is broken. The brothers looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming form Gilead. I told you something was coming for you. No one expected it to come so soon because no one can understand God’s timing. These guys were on their way to Egypt to trade their cargo.

Just then 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.” Praise God for such wisdom. The ancestor of Christ was given a change of heart and he saw the need to preserve life.

What gain was there in killing Joseph? You cannot get rid of your own flesh and blood that easily. No one can get rid of you son of God. They will change their mind because what God has provided for you is already there. Don’t worry because your transport to Egypt has come. When God takes over no one will understand it but wait on the LORD.

Joseph was shaking, probably crying his heart out and thinking of his little brother and mother. Besides he was in disarray as to what was going to take place next. But God was fast bringing all things together so that they would work out for his good. God took over as director of the movie many Hollywood greats would love to call “Joseph- The Story of My Life.” Just know that this was going to turn out as a chart topper because God does not direct second-class movies.

Eventually Joseph got sold for 8 ounces of silver to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. Praise God who will turn around all things so that His divine and initial plan will come to pass. Joseph’s ancestor Abraham had been told of the impending move to Egypt and now was the time for the great trek. God had started laying the foundation. He is doing the same for you my brother because He loves you with an unfailing love.

The enemy may come in like a flood but I promise you that God will raise up the standard to a place and time that even the makers of the Titanic will wonder as to what vessel you are. Son of man you are a special specimen that God has made for a special and specific work. Don’t cry when the Ishmaelites come, rejoice because you free transport to the land of your promotion has come.

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