January 06, 2010
Joseph had to be thinking—this was the plan? This is what the dreams meant? (Genesis 42:9) I don't believe Joseph had an ounce of revenge in him. We don't get to decide to have a "little" revenge or carry a "small" grudge. You don't get to decide to have a "little" cancer. Revenge (unreleased anger), is a cancer of the soul. It cannot and will not stay "small." It will grow and eventually consume you—especially during times of trial.
Joseph could not have survived thirteen years if he was harboring any anger or revenge. This is not to say that it was easy for him. But Joseph made it clear over and over that he was a God-fearing man. Naming his firstborn Manasseh (Genesis 41:51 - "God has made me forget") shows he had already come to terms with all that had happened to him. Not—I want to forget. Not—I hope to forget. Not—I will forget. God has made me forget. Past tense, and God! For Joseph to think of Manasseh it was not a time of remembering the pain, it was a time of remembering God's blessing. This was the plan Lord? Wow! Look at all you (God) have done.
Genesis 45:5 - God sent me here...
Genesis 45:8 - It was not you who sent me but God...
Why? Because God had a perfect plan. A plan to save Joseph's family. God blessed Joseph even during this time of suffering and unknown. He was the highest officer, in charge of the palace, and master of all the land. God knows what He is doing! We need to get out (and stay out) of the way.
We are not seeking any kind of revenge. From my very first meeting with Jane (Her Name was Jane), God removed the personal nature of "the storm" and the difficult situation we are in. Has it always been easy to walk this path? No. But like Joseph, we do not remember the sufferings. What we remember is God's incredible blessings.
Addendum: 9/5/13 ~ God had a plan. God knew what no one else knew. A famine was coming. He also knew His promise to Abraham was at risk. If He (God) didn't do something, no one from Jacob's lineage was going to survive. What Joseph endured for all those years had nothing to do with sibling rivalry. It had everything to do with God using amazing ways to make sure His will was accomplished—and a plan for the salvation of many was put into place.
Next Entry: Genesis 46:1 – 47:27
Joseph had to be thinking—this was the plan? This is what the dreams meant? (Genesis 42:9) I don't believe Joseph had an ounce of revenge in him. We don't get to decide to have a "little" revenge or carry a "small" grudge. You don't get to decide to have a "little" cancer. Revenge (unreleased anger), is a cancer of the soul. It cannot and will not stay "small." It will grow and eventually consume you—especially during times of trial.
Joseph could not have survived thirteen years if he was harboring any anger or revenge. This is not to say that it was easy for him. But Joseph made it clear over and over that he was a God-fearing man. Naming his firstborn Manasseh (Genesis 41:51 - "God has made me forget") shows he had already come to terms with all that had happened to him. Not—I want to forget. Not—I hope to forget. Not—I will forget. God has made me forget. Past tense, and God! For Joseph to think of Manasseh it was not a time of remembering the pain, it was a time of remembering God's blessing. This was the plan Lord? Wow! Look at all you (God) have done.
Genesis 45:5 - God sent me here...
Genesis 45:8 - It was not you who sent me but God...
Why? Because God had a perfect plan. A plan to save Joseph's family. God blessed Joseph even during this time of suffering and unknown. He was the highest officer, in charge of the palace, and master of all the land. God knows what He is doing! We need to get out (and stay out) of the way.
We are not seeking any kind of revenge. From my very first meeting with Jane (Her Name was Jane), God removed the personal nature of "the storm" and the difficult situation we are in. Has it always been easy to walk this path? No. But like Joseph, we do not remember the sufferings. What we remember is God's incredible blessings.
Addendum: 9/5/13 ~ God had a plan. God knew what no one else knew. A famine was coming. He also knew His promise to Abraham was at risk. If He (God) didn't do something, no one from Jacob's lineage was going to survive. What Joseph endured for all those years had nothing to do with sibling rivalry. It had everything to do with God using amazing ways to make sure His will was accomplished—and a plan for the salvation of many was put into place.
Next Entry: Genesis 46:1 – 47:27
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