December 7
“He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” Genesis 37:6-7 ESV
Jealousy leads to deep division within Jacob’s family. It is no wonder when you consider the rift that lay between his first two wives—sisters Leah and Rachel. The entire family is caught up in competition to be blessed by God with more children and blessed with Jacob’s loving affection.
It is in these troublesome family dynamics that Joseph is the first son born of the beloved Rachel. He is his father’s favorite and he is treated as a firstborn son though he is the second youngest. Into this tinderbox of a situation, the naive seventeen year old young man foolishly tells everyone about a dream he had where his whole family would bow down to him.
This has the devastating effects that you would expect. Joseph’s brothers are already pea-green with envy and it takes very little for them to come up with a plan to get rid of their own brother.
But God was still working. He had shown Joseph the future. There was a blessing coming after much suffering. The young man needed to learn some hard lessons before being placed where he would do good not just for his family, but all the families of the region. What a reminder of the promise God made to Joseph’s father Jacob in his dream!
Whenever I think of the suffering we have in this life, I remember a quote from the great Charles Spurgeon. He dealt horribly with depression after some of his congregants were killed. He said, “This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry; the cloud is black before it breaks, and overshadows before it yields its deluge of mercy. Depression has now become to me as a prophet in rough clothing, a John the Baptist, heralding the nearer coming of my Lord’s richer benison.”
Think of the faith that requires. Spurgeon knew that suffering today did not disqualify him from the blessings of tomorrow. They are often instrumental in spiritual development and to force us to work not in our own strength, but to rely on the LORD for everything.
Even if you feel you are walking through a dark time, know that God has not left you. Draw near to him and he will draw near to you. Find your rest in him this Advent and wait with us for the coming King.
Prayer for today:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for walking beside us in our times of trial. We trust in you to redeem every situation so that your name will be glorified. Help me to trust in you when I can’t see where the road will take me. Your will be done in my life, Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
