Genesis 37:18-20 (NASBStr)
The Plot against Joseph
When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death. They said to one another, “ Here comes this dreamer! Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, ‘A wild beast devoured him. ’ Then let us see what will become of his dreams!”
Joseph was the favorite child of Israel (Jacob). Of the twelve boys, he was the favorite. In fact, he was so much the favorite that Israel made him a special coat he wore each day to remind Jacob and the brothers of his favored status. You can imagine the rage that built up in the hearts of his brothers. Along with being the favored child of Israel, however, Joseph was also favored by God. God had provided Joseph with dreams to indicate that one day, Joseph would rule over his brothers and his parents. Joseph was to be a great man for God ... some day!! Yet, today is not that day. Today, in the verses above, Joseph would not rule over his brothers or parents but he would be persecuted and suffer for the status he enjoyed with his father and with his Father! It would be years from this story before Joseph would ever again feel the joy of family and the "favored" status of his life. He was about to be uncomfortable for many, many years to come. He would be uncomfortable in the pit his brothers were going to throw him into. He would be uncomfortable with the Midianite traders who take him to Egypt. And, even though he would have great responsibility and privilege later, he would be uncomfortable in Potipher's house and subsequently in jail. Joseph would be uncomfortable until the time God needed him to speak about a dream to Pharaoh, the King of Egypt. Until that day, Joseph would be in a place, simply waiting for God to use him. Like Esther and like the blind man in John 9 and like Daniel, God puts His servants on the earth and allows them to feel discomfort until the time God wants to shower them with more grace. Are we willing to have years of discomfort just so, at the right time, God can shower us with more grace and be glorified in us and with us, at just the right time? Joseph would suffer many years of loneliness and anguish. He could have spent his entire time screaming, like Job, "Why me Lord?" But, he doesn't He simply waits for God to show him even more grace. That is what waiting on God and serving God is all about. Are you willing to be uncomfortable just so God can show you His grace in His time?
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