Bible Study Online Article
In my last article I touched on some interesting natural possibilities when it came to the choosing of Joseph. Why would God place Joseph in an honored position of being the one to lead Israel to their next development stage? Although God has things already planned on how He intends to use people, it's always best to try to understand why God chose certain ones over others. I like being able to recognize such clues for it keeps me from thinking that God is out to treat people unfairly. It amazes me how people can't seem to realize the tremendous freedom and gifts that God has bestowed on the human being. The freedom that we have in God's creation is unmatched - no other creature comes close, celestial or natural. Simply put, no other creature has the privileges that the human being has. So when God chooses certain people for specific ministries and task over others - we shouldn't frown. We should just be happy that we are able to exist and play a role in his marvelous creation regardless of how small the role may seem at times. So let's do a recap on the sinful actions that Joseph's older brothers had put their hands to and why God had allowed them to be bypassed when it came to being the next promise bearer. First we have the accounts of Simeon and Levi, who were born second and third to Leah. We were told how they lead the deceptive, fatal attack upon the Shechemites, in retaliation for what prince Shechem had done to their sister Dinah. So that's the third and fourth from out of the twelve, with Joseph being the eleventh. Next we are told how Reuben sinned and perhaps lost his birthright because of it. Reuben was entitled (or so it seems) to be the next promise bearer because he was Jacob's first born. His sin would be that he slept with his stepmother - Bilhah. Sometime later we would hear about the sins of Bilhah (Dan & Naphtali) and Zilpah (Gad & Asher) sons. The sin that they did while out in the fields, for whatever reason - weren't revealed. So as of right now we have the sinful deeds of seven from out of the ten that were born before Joseph. Now we are introduced to the divine confirmation that Joseph will be the one to lead Israel to their next stage. "Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves (bundles) of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it," Joseph would tell his brothers. After his brothers had heard about the dream that Joseph had, they hated him all the more. "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" We must keep in mind that Joseph is around the age of seventeen so you can imagine his excitement when it comes to him possibly ruling over his brothers. Now Joseph has another dream and once again he goes to tell his brothers and his father. "Listen, I had another dream and this time the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowing down to me." Now perhaps this was too far fetch for any of them to comprehend being that Joseph was so young. "What is this dream you had, will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you," Jacob would say with great concern to his young son. Now when you add the elements of the sun and the moon along with the eleven stars, you would think that the sun and the moon would be a reference to Joseph's parents. Being that Joseph's mother, Rachel had passed away; perhaps this was the reason that Jacob had seen the interpretation of the dream a little too far fetch. But Jacob wouldn't totally dismiss what Joseph had told him, for he would keep the matter in mind. But when it came to his brothers, their jealousy and anger towards Joseph had increased.
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 69) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 71) Joseph & The Pit of Darkness 72) Jacob the Father of Sorrow 73) The Importance of Judah's History 76) Tamar's Revenge 78) Joseph the Servant of Favor 79) Potiphar's Wife Pursues Joseph 82) The Dreaming Cupbearer & Baker 84) Joseph's Dark Dreams Interpretation 85) Joseph the Overseer of Egypt  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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