This Can Be Your Story - Part 3

Joseph was 17 when he was first introduced in the Bible; he was born in a huge family, not just in number (Joseph’s father, Jacob, had 4 wives and in them Jacob had 12 sons apart from daughters); his father was a big shot (a very rich man) in those days and also, they had a godly lineage. In spite of all this, he faced issues within his family right from his teenage years. 

Joseph brought a bad report about his brothers to his father Jacob. Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

Here’s some situations from Joseph’s life with which you could relate to:

• Being loved more/less than your other siblings
• Facing issues one after the other with your own siblings
• Being hated for doing good/reporting someone’s error to your higher authorities - Joseph did not join with his 10 elder brothers to indulge in sin. Moreover, he reported about them to his father.
• Hatred from siblings because of favour from either/both parents  

When you report others’ wrongdoings to your higher authorities, though you’d be appreciated and rewarded by your higher officials, be prepared to deal with the hatred of the other party about whom you reported. At the same time, do not be a coward and withdraw yourself from reporting as it would affect the institution/organisation/nation in a negative way. Mordecai, of whom we read in the book of Esther, is a great example of bravery and loyalty in the Bible; but he was targeted by Haman for the same. Be loyal!

Colossians  3:23-25 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus Christ that you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favouritism.

Parenting tip: Parents should have the heart to equally love all your children. Though there may be expressional differences, it shouldn’t deviate to partiality. 

Genesis 37:3,4 Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colours. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

The robe wasn’t a casual gift from a father to his beloved son, it also had the meaning that Joseph will be Jacob’s next successor. Joseph had 10 elder brothers; but since Joseph was different from them all, Jacob considered him special and worthy to be the next in line. The robe was a sign of approval, favour and blessing to Joseph; but the same robe caused his brothers to hate him and be harsh with him. People may hate you for being loved and exalted by God. Never mind! Persecutions are inevitable in our walk with Jesus. 

Mark 10:29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.

Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Genesis 37:5 Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.
Consider Joseph's situation: while with his father, he’s saturated with affection and comfort; but when he’s out with his brothers, they pump hatred toward him. In the midst of all this, Joseph had a dream and he shared it with his brothers.
Never share all your dreams with everyone. You’d be sharing your dream with those who’d be either envious about you or who aren’t of your same wavelength to accept your thoughts or to those who hate you and wish to see your disaster. Sharing God-given dreams to the wrong set of people can amplify their hatred toward you.

Matthew 7:6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Genesis 37:6-8 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain in the field, and suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to mine.” “Do you intend to reign over us?” his brothers asked. “Will you actually rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and his statements.
See the context of hatred being developed in one person toward another:

1. Joseph did not join with his elder brothers in sinful deeds and also he reported about his brothers to Jacob
2. Jacob loved Joseph more than his brothers, because he was born in Jacob’s old age and also due to his remarkable character.
3. Jacob gave him a special dress.
4. Jacob shared his dream to his brothers. 

The preferential treatment of the parents to one child can lead other children to hate that one.

Genesis 37:9,10 Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?”
Joseph dreamt that God is going to exalt him than his father and mother. Jacob understood the dream and he rebuked Joseph.

Do you have a dream/ vision from God about your life? Though you may consider it impossible to be fulfilled; God who gave you the dream/vision will bring it to fulfilment, in His time!

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