Bible Studies
Oh, For a Heart Like Joseph's
"Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh." Matthew 12:34b KJV
Oh, for a heart like Joseph's: many of us are familiar with Joseph of the Old Testament. He was the beloved son of Jacob
and the apple of his father's eye.
One of the first glimpses we have into the heart of this young man is in Genesis 37:13. Upon the request of his father to go check on the welfare of his brothers, Joseph promptly responds, "Here am I", making himself available to his father's command; little knowing where that obedience would take him. His desire to do his father's bidding was utmost in his heart.
Much time passes and we find Joseph now in the court of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Betrayal and brutality on the part of his brothers has brought him to this present state. Joseph has acquired an influential position in Egypt as a result of his godly character. With this power comes temptation in the form of an advance toward him by Potiphar's wife, taking occasion in the absence of her husband, to act out her desires toward Joseph.
Joseph, though hidden from the eyes of his master, speaks these words out of respect for that master and from a pure heart, "How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9b)
Even though his denial of Potiphar's wife and subsequent accusation of assault has brought him an unjustified prison term, Joseph, once more rose above the situation and soon found himself in a position of authority in the very jail that sought to confine him. Did he dwell upon himself and his sorry state? A reflection upon his words tell us otherwise. Out of a compassionate heart focused upon others, he asks a fellow prisoner, "Wherefore look ye sadly today?" (Genesis 40:7b)
After another passage of time, Joseph is released from jail to assist Pharaoh in the interpretation of a dream. He becomes the centre of attention in Pharaoh's court as his help is sought. From a heart seeking to glorify God, he does not use the occasion to promote himself but humbly proclaims to Pharaoh, "It is not in me, God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." (Genesis 41:16 While not seeking glory for himself, he is promoted by Pharaoh and is elevated to an even higher position in Egypt than he had before his adversity.
Joseph enters married life and soon there is the birth of a son to gladden his days. "Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh; For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house." (Genesis 41:51) He harbours no bitterness in his heart concerning his abuse at the hands of his brothers and rejoices in the birth of his son, aptly named Manasseh.
He names his second son Ephraim, "For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." (Genesis 41:52) He did not deny his affliction but saw beyond it to the working of God in his life. God had not only sustained him, his life also flourished under the care of his faithful God. Joseph acknowledged the Provider of all blessing and his heart brimmed over with praise to Him. Oh, the precious years that Joseph would have lost had he thought that he needed to be in an ideal situation before he could produce fruit for God.
The position that Joseph held in Egypt could have intoxicated him with the wine of power and he could have esteemed himself above all authority but out of a meek, submissive heart he instructs his brothers, "This do, and live; for I fear God." (Genesis 42:18 He says this before his brothers who had wronged him severely and now, through a chain of events, find themselves at his mercy.
His brothers knew not that they stood before Joseph. Out of a comforting heart he tells the anxious men, "Peace be to you, fear not". Later he reveals his true identity to them, which could have been his opportunity for revenge but instead we view his forgiving heart in the words, "I am Joseph, your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither." (Genesis 45:4b,5a)
Out of a perceptive, restful heart Joseph speaks, "Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good." (Genesis 50:20a) He could have raged with bitterness over what had been his lot, but resting in the truth that "God meant it unto good," he shared this conclusion with his fearful brothers.
"Now therefore, fear ye not; I will nourish you, and your little ones." (Genesis 50:21 These words graciously greet the ears of those who so despitefully used their brother. Out of a kind and merciful heart, Joseph assures his brothers that he will "nourish them". He meets the needs of those who turned from him when he was most needy. Oh, for a heart like Joseph's.
"And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die; and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God surely will visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence". (Genesis 50:25) Here we see a heart yearning for the only homeland where he could truly be at home. He never viewed Egypt, symbolic of the world, as his home. He looked for that city, "whose builder and maker is God". (Hebrews 11:22). His was a heart fortified and encouraged by the reality grounded by faith. Oh, for a heart like Joseph's, which enables us to look beyond this present world, ever seeking our permanent residency in its perpetual night, to that land which is "fairer than day."
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Well written and timely, I enjoyed your words. I must say, however, that with the insights that you clearly have in this regard I am sure there should be at least a part 2 to this, rather, a Chapter 2 with several more to follow. I get the sense that there is a book in here for you to write and share with us. In gentleness & humility you wrote and it seems that made the words "flow like living water". Still, keep writing. There are a multitude of articles in this story.
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