I've always enjoyed reading the account of Jacob's son Joseph in scripture. Although many see him as the spoiled, favoured child who was too proud for his own good, there is no denying the touch of the Lord on his life. I remember going to Toronto to see Donny Osmond in "Joseph and the Amazing Technical Dreamcoat". For a secular composition it didn't stray far from scripture.
In case you're unfamiliar with the Genesis story, when Joseph began relating his dreams to his older brothers, their animosity towards him grew as his prophetic visions suggested he would one day be ruling over them. This led to their plot to kill him, but through a series of events, this 17-year-old teenager was instead sold to some merchants, who in turn sold him to a ruling Egyptian named Potiphar.
Yes, Joseph was sold as a slave, but this wasn't a random act of cruelty initiated by jealous siblings. God needed a deliverer for His people in Egypt. As we read in Psalm 105, the Lord "sent" Joseph to Egypt. The "selling" was the path in God's greater plan.
Once Joseph arrived at his God-ordained destination he still faced difficulties. His dreams weren't instantly realized. He was falsely accused of sexual advances by Potiphar's wife and placed in prison, where he remained for an unknown number of years. Through this time God was testing Joseph's character. We know he gained the favour of the prison warden, and was given responsibilities as overseer. He was eventually released, returning to the palace, being appointed head of Egypt at the age of 30, his dreams finally fulfilled.
A lot happened in those thirteen years from pit to palace, but every single detail was guided by the hand of God. Joseph's brothers didn't initiate the route to Egypt, they were only instruments of the Lord for God's purposes to be satisfied in his life. Joseph may have been sold, but God sent. The avenue for his advancement took time, and the Lord watched with interest to see how Joseph responded to each set-back.
We want the journey from revelation to realization to be immediate, but the destination is not God's only goal. Yes, the Lord had purposes for Joseph to fulfill as ruler and God used him greatly for the salvation of many people, but until his character matched his calling God continued to test him, growing, refining and preparing him for all that would eventually be included in the fulfillment of his dreams. The pathway to promise can seem perplexing to us, but it is designed by God for our good.
Has God planted a dream-seed in your heart that you wish had bloomed already? Is your heart holding a desire that you sense is from the Lord? If it hasn't happened yet, you're not ready yet. Trust God. Serve Him. Continue to spend time with the Lord and in His Word. Remain faithful. Be confident that God is in charge and in the fulness of time He will act. When God says 'now', nothing can stop all He has planned for you. Your sending might be soon, just don't be surprised at the roundabouts He might take as He refines and readies you for its eventual reward.
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