Genesis 37:2-4 (ESV)
These are the generations of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Genesis 37:12-14 (ESV)
Joseph Sold by His Brothers
Now his brothers went to pasture their father's flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
Sometimes when you do good, you will suffer bad. In the above story we read about Joseph narcing out his brothers. At least that is what our modern day society would call what Joseph did. In God’s world it was integrity, truth and fidelity. God is not the father of lies, deceit and wrong. We don’t live in that world in our heads and hearts. Our world lives on the margins. We like to be on the edge of truth but not exactly with truth. We don’t want to call truth our brother. We would rather make it a distant cousin. Israel sent Joesph to “spy” on his brothers. Again, that is how we would refer to what Israel did. That is obviously what the brothers thought. Joseph did nothing wrong and suffered for it. Joseph is a picture of Christ, in the Old Testament. He is the example of someone who suffers harm for doing good. In this world, in Joseph’s day and ours, we must understand that suffering harm for doing good is a cultural normative. No one likes a “goody-two-shoes.” At least that is the world’s mindset. But, in Christ we are to stand for truth, no matter the cost. And it will cost. Peter summed it up for those believers in his day in the following verses. We must realize that we will suffer for doing good. That is what Christ did. That is what we are called to do, as well. Holiness brings light to darkness. We are called to be holy. Notice also, how King David spoke about someone who wants to be like God. Notice how Joseph demonstrates these attributes. He will one day have his integrity challenged on a rape charge (chapter 39). He will one day have his character challenged as he stands before Pharaoh (chapters 40-42). Character like Gods always looks different than the world:
1 Peter 2:20-22 (ESV)
For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
Psalms 15 (ESV)
Who Shall Dwell on Your Holy Hill?
A PSALM OF DAVID.
O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the LORD;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
No comments:
Post a Comment