Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page In the last article we learned that Joseph had finally revealed his true identity to his brothers. And needless-to-say that after he had done so his brothers had became very afraid of him. For they knew that if this was really Joseph the brother that they had betrayed some twenty-one years before, they were afraid that he might try to seek revenge against them.
Now from a worldly perspective, one can easily see that the betrayal of Joseph's brothers had caused him to lose everything. Not only that, he'd suffered in what seemed like "bondage" for thirteen of the past twenty years. Know that Joseph was a good hearted, loyal person, and he loved his family. So it's no wonder that many have asked the question: "Why would God allow this to happen to him?" Keep in mind that these are the type of moments that reveals the great advantages of the Sacred Scriptures. Being that we're able to see Joseph's ordeal through a much broader view because of them. We're also able to see things that Joseph couldn't? For example: We're able to see how God was with him in every stage of his so-called bondage season. I say "so-called" because every stage that Joseph would enter into along his journey of uncertainty, he would eventually gain tremendous favor with those in charge. And because of this "favor" where ever Joseph landed, he was promoted to the very top. For we must not forget, that he was promoted to be the overseer of Potiphar's entire household when he was first sold to the Egyptian official. It would be at this stage in his journey, that Potiphar was the only person that Joseph would have to answer to. And being that Potiphar was a top Egyptian official - for he held the position of Captain of the Guard from within Pharaoh's court - reveals that he was a man of great authority from within the Egyptian kingdom. But this situation wouldn't last long for Joseph. For we would later find that Potiphar's wife had falsely accused of him of trying to defile her, after he had refused her sexual advances. And because of this false allegation, Potiphar would have him sent to the "King's Prison." But once again God was with Joseph and he would immediately find favor with the warden that was in charge of the "King's Prison." And because of this "favor" he was promoted to be in charge over all the prisoners, that resided within the King's Prison. The only person Joseph would answer to at this stage, was the warden. And because of Joseph's continued obedience and loyalty to the One True God - Joseph would eventually find favor in Pharaoh's eyes, and he would be promoted to the position of Egyptian Prime Minister, and he was put in charge of all the land. And it would also be from this point forward that Joseph would be known as "Zaphenath-Paneah the Revealer of Secrets." And once again, at this particular stage, the only person that Joseph would have to answer to was Pharaoh. Now from a worldly perspective it would seem that Joseph was forced to endure a season of chaos. But once again we should be thankful towards the Sacred Scriptures for they allow us to see what Joseph couldn't at the time. For we were able to see how God provided and protected Joseph at every stage along his journey. While in the meantime the Lord was training and building Joseph up for the next stage of his life. But much to Joseph credit, although he couldn't see what God was doing in his life at the time, he never compromised his position with the Lord by choosing to stay dedicated to serving the Almighty - instead of trying to seek convenience and common ground with mankind. Know that everything that Joseph did, he always gave credit to the One True God. No matter how tough the season became, he always stayed true to what he was -- which was God's servant. And because of this dedication, God could trust Joseph with the very important position that would later entrust him with. So therefore Joseph stayed obedient to God and he didn't take his "position of favor" with the Lord for granted. You know I once asked the question when it came to this series: "What would you have done if you were in Joseph's position?" For we must understand that Joseph didn't have this great advantage, when it comes to the Sacred Record - that we have today. For you must know that it's because of God's Word that we're able to look at Joseph's life backwards and forward, and see how God moved through the natural when it came to his life. It's because of the Holy Scriptures that we're able to learn form Joseph's experiences, without having to personally endure them. But know that Joseph wasn't able to do this when it came to his life - so therefore, he had to venture forth on his faith and trust in the Lord. So let's take away your advantage, and let's say you could only see things as Joseph did? Now if we were to be honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that this would be a very difficult position to deal with. This could easily be a situation that would put us in a place that could cause us to compromise our position with the Lord. For you now have an opportunity to seek revenge against those who had betrayed and took everything from you, against those who had plotted to kill you, but instead sold you into bondage that would've placed you on a enduring thirteen year journey. But on the other hand you're God's servant, and you know that you will be held accountable for your actions, if you were to seek revenge. But we are still human and so therefore, we try to justify or actions for this so-called special situation. And why not, since we can easily see how Joseph had every right by the world standards to seek revenge against people of such -- why not us? But Joseph didn't follow the world, he followed the One True God and so therefore, he must not compromise his position and relationship with the Lord by giving in and yielding to his emotional pain. Albeit, when Joseph had first met his brothers after they had betrayed him some twenty years later, he'd struggled with these vengeful thoughts. This is why he had spoke so harshly with them and thought about charging them as spies. For if they were seen and charged as spies - then they could be imprisoned, or put to death behind these types of charges. After all, who was going to argue with "Zaphenath-Paneah the Revealer of Secrets?" But God moved through the natural, and allowed Joseph to gradually find out information that would help to give him pause when it came to those painful emotions he was dealing with. For example: Remember when Joseph had found out that his little brother Benjamin was still alive? Notice that after he had heard this very important piece of news, his overall agenda would change towards his brothers. Keep in mind that Joseph didn't know that Benjamin was still alive, and after he'd found out that this was the case, things would change. Joseph understood that he would need his brothers, if wanted to get Benjamin from out of his father's household, and into Egypt. So Benjamin would become Joseph's new focus point. Now, instead of killing, or imprisoning his brothers, he would use them to bring Benjamin to him. Know that it was these kinds of moments, that God would use, in order to reveal things to Joseph about his brothers, that he just couldn't ignore. For Joseph had adopted this notion that his brothers were wicked and evil men. And rightly so, I mean after all - look at how they treated him some twenty years before. But that was then, and this is now, and God wanted to show Joseph that his brothers had changed for the better. So we must understand that God did not place Joseph in this position so he could humiliate and seek revenge against his brothers. He placed Joseph in this position for reasons that went far beyond Joseph's natural understanding of things. So we now see God moving through the natural, and through Joseph's humbleness and obedience he's able to stay on the right path. Joseph would finally be able to see that all that he had been through was by God's design. This is why he told his brothers: "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing or reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of this entire household and ruler of all Egypt." -- (Genesis 45:4-8) These are the type of things we should remember when we find ourselves, in what seems like a "season of chaos." Joseph wasn't able to use the Sacred Scriptures that would've allowed him the benefit of gaining some type of "perspective advantage" when it came to his life. But thanks to the Bible we are able to do so. For we must always remember, that God never changes, He's the same today, yesterday, and forevermore. And since God was there for Joseph, He will also be there for us as well. In the meantime, as we turn back to our journey: Word did get back to Pharaoh and his officials and they were pleased that Joseph had reunited with his brothers. Pharaoh would back all that Joseph had promised his brothers. For Pharaoh would tell Joseph: "Tell your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan, and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.' You are also directed to tell them, 'Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. Never mind about your belongings, because the best of Egypt will be yours.'" -- Genesis 45:17-20 Now that Pharaoh had weighed in and made Joseph's promise to his brothers' official, it will be very interesting to see how Jacob will respond. For we must keep in mind that Jacob is used to hearing bad news from his sons, this time they will be bringing good news. Will he believe them? Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty **YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 101) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE-> 102) Jacob Stunned and Delighted 105) Israel's Blessing to Pharaoh 107) The Promise Between Father & Son 108) Jacob Becomes Ill 109) Jacob Adds Manasseh and Ephraim 110) Jacob Places Ephraim Before Manasseh 111) Joseph's Expectation and Disappointment 112) The Promise Covenant with Humanity 113) The Prophecy of Reuben, Simeon and Levi 115) The Tribe of Kings 116) Representation of the Scepter 117) The Importance of the Sanhedrin 118) The Gathering of the People 
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