The Will of God and Time: Example of Joseph

Opening verse: For everything there is a season, a right time for every intention under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Reason for Topic: For some time now, I have been feeling the urge to talk about both the "Will of God" and "Time." They are of significant importance in the life of a Christian. An understanding of the two concepts would resolve some of the hard to comprehend things, for example, why do Christians suffer, in the life of a worshipper. 

The Choice of Joseph for an Example: We see the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis 37. He had a dramatic experience of the workings of God in his life. The extraordinary pain that was his lot, and the unusual salvation and elevation God gave him, would speak to some of the struggles in the lives of the believer today.

An Examination of the Experiences, or Trials and Elevation, of Joseph

1. The Promise that Joseph will be King: 5 Joseph had a dream which he told his brothers, and that made them hate him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen while I tell you about this dream of mine. 7 We were tying up bundles of wheat in the field when suddenly my bundle got up by itself and stood upright; then your bundles came, gathered around mine and prostrated themselves before it.” 8 His brothers retorted, “Yes, you will certainly be our king. You’ll do a great job of bossing us around!” And they hated him still more for his dreams and for what he said.

9 He had another dream which he told his brothers: “Here, I had another dream, and there were the sun, the moon and eleven stars prostrating themselves before me.” 10 He told his father too, as well as his brothers, but his father rebuked him: “What is this dream you have had? Do you really expect me, your mother and your brothers to come and prostrate ourselves before you on the ground?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. Genesis 37: 5-11

2. The Tribulations of Joseph: 28 So when the Midianites, merchants, passed by, they drew and lifted Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for half a pound of silver shekels to the Ishmaelites, who took Joseph on to Egypt. 36 In Egypt the Midianites sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, a captain of the guard. Genesis 37:28, 36

20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, in the place where the king’s prisoners were kept; and there he was in the prison. Genesis 39:20

3. The Salvation and Elevation of Joseph: 14 Then Pharaoh summoned Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon. He shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came in to Pharaoh . (iii) 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this — there is no one as discerning and wise as you — 40 you will be in charge of my household; all my people will be ruled by what you say. Only when I rule from my throne will I be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Here, I place you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, had him clothed in fine linen with a gold chain around his neck 43 and had him ride in his second best chariot; and they cried before him, “Bow down!” Thus he placed him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I, Pharaoh, decree that without your approval no one is to raise his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh called Joseph by the name Zaphnath-paaneah and gave him as his wife Asenath the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. Then Joseph went out through all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41.14, 39-45

Lessons from Joseph's Story

A. When God makes a promise, it might take time or even a long time, before he establishes it. In the above story, it took approximately 13 years from  the time God spoke to make him a king to when he actually became one. See:  2 Here is the history of Jacob. When Joseph was seventeen years old he used to pasture the flock with his brothers, even though he was still a boy (Genesis 37:2), and 46 Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt; then he left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled through all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:46

B. It might require patience or a lot of it to enter into God's promise. In the above story, Joseph had to first be a faithful slave and then a faithful prisoner before God would establish his promise, honor him and trust him with the government of Egypt.  

C. You must accept and run with God's will and let it work its way in you. In the above story, even though Joseph cried (Genesis 42:21), told people his travail (Genesis 40:15), and tried to plot a way out of his pain (Genesis 40:14), he never once complained or accused God. He accepted his situation and trusted God to be faithful.

Conclusion:

But sent a man ahead of them —
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 They shackled his feet with chains,
and they bound him in irons;
19 until the time when his word proved true,
God’s utterance kept testing him.
20 The king sent and had him released,
the ruler of peoples set him free;
21 he made him lord of his household,
in charge of all he owned,
22 correcting his officers as he saw fit

and teaching his counselors wisdom. Psalm 105:17-22

Closing: 37 On hearing this, they were stung in their hearts; and they said to Peter and the other emissaries (apostles), “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter answered them, “Turn from sin, return to God, and each of you be immersed, baptized on the authority of Jesus the Messiah into forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for those far away — as many as Adonai our God may call!" Acts 2:36

Doxology: 

24 Now, to the one who can keep you from falling and set you without defect and full of joy in the presence of his Shekhinah (glory)—25 to God alone, our Deliverer, through Jesus the Messiah, our Lord —be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25