Read
Genesis 37-39; 40-48
Joseph’s
story can be summarized, without over simplification, as a story of servant
hood to ministry. His story actually
begins in chapter 37 wherein he dreams a dream, relays the dream to his
brothers and parents escalating animosity and turmoil in the family. Joseph,
being the favorite son of his father Israel, antagonizes the situation between
himself and his already jealous brothers.
Some things the Lord tells
us are not for broadcasting, but the text is silent in respect to his dreams.
At any rate his brothers are already livid against him when he tells the
dreams.
The dreams in essence are for
Joseph’s knowledge only. They constitute God’s calling and purpose on
Joseph. God’s calling always has a purpose. But
our God is so gracious toward us that He even hits a straight lick with a
crooked stick!
In essence the dreams were
his calling to ministry…but he had much to learn…humility for one, patience for
another.
Calling for ministry
Basically there are three stages on ministry.
1. The
calling itself: comes in various fashions as God sees fit; some are more
pronounced as in Moses when his mother saw he was a proper child and his
subsequent experience with the burning bush. Abraham was also called out of the
land of Ur of the Chaldees. Each of the twelve disciples had a unique, personal
calling. The apostle Paul was called on the road to Damascus and spent some 14
years in the desert preparing for his purpose in ministry. Paul’s purpose was to minister to the Gentiles. Each
calling is divinely tailored to each individual
2. Preparation:
the time divinely set for training to attain one’s ministry. Both Abraham and
Moses had their time of preparation; Moses tending sheep on the back side of
the desert for 40 years. Abraham’s wanderings in the land to the Promised Land.
Paul spent at least 14 years in the desert before being released into his
ministry. The 12 spent at least 3 years of personal tutorage under the master.
3. Sending:
comes only after the appointed time of preparation. It is said that Moses began
his ministry prematurely when he slew the Egyptian.
Sadly
many of us don’t wait for the preparation but skip directly to ministry, thus
missing God’s intended mark. Ephesians 4:11-13 chronicles the preparation for
the New Testament church. How often we tend to skip and miss the part of the 5
fold ministry…for the perfecting of the
saints for the work of the ministry. The primary function of the 5 fold
ministry is to train up leaders for the work of the ministry; they are our
mentors so we don’t have to tend sheep 40 years on the back side of the desert.
This is good teaching for ME! Preparation teaches patience, humility,
servanthood, love, forgiveness and all the works of the Spirit.
If
we skip the preparation and mentoring we ourselves become poor mentors of those
following in our footsteps. Whether it be seminary, Bible school, or being
thrust under another to learn there is nothing like being mentored by someone’s
whose been there and back.
Servanthood can be defined as that
period of training between the call of God and being sent out into your
ministry. It is that time when we are seeking to serve the will of another as
opposed to our own.
The
servant is not above his master Matt.10:24; Lu.6:40; Jn.13:16;
15:20
But
he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matt.20:26;
20:10
To skip the preparation one is doomed
to a life of failure and little growth not to mention the discouragement.
·
Many times our ministry
and purpose is right under our very noses but we miss it because we’re too busy
chasing the spotlight, the glit, the glamour, and the fame.
·
We’re too busy
ministering overseas or across the country but miss our next door neighbor or
even, God forbid… our own family.
·
We miss it because we don’t
want to be a servant…to anyone. We know it all and have it all.
·
The servant is the one
who will gladly lay down his own life for the sheep of another, Jn.10:12-15.
In spite of sharing that
which he ought to have kept to himself, in His foreknowledge, had a plan for
Joseph. Joseph had some vital lessons to learn before he was to ascend to the
position depicted in the dreams.
Note: has God ever told you something,
anything, you knew was for your ears only?
·
What did you do with that information?
·
Did
you share it or keep it in your heart?
·
It’s
called the gift of knowledge 1 Cor.12:8. Sometimes it’s for sharing, and other
times it’s for your ears only.
·
A word is a part of a sentence; in
Joseph’s case he had a word or partial piece of crucial information. He was
given only the end result and not the whole story.
·
Our Father rarely gives the whole story at
once; rather it’s given bit by bit, piece by piece. We can’t handle it all at once.
The dreams 37:5-11
·
From his family’s perspective it was just
another ploy of arrogance in setting himself above the others.
·
From a divine perspective it represented the
end of Joseph’s journey:
1. To
save his people from famine
2. To
demonstrate God’s loving care for His people
3. To
be a forerunner of the Messiah
4.
To teach His people the value in
servitude [he that is greatest among you
shall be your servant Matt.23:11]
Joseph learned and earned a servant’s heart by the things
he suffered:
·
In prison he had no choice but to serve, the
alternative was ultimately death
·
He learned to live a Godly life in bondage
·
He learned obedience to His Heavenly Father
·
Even when falsely accused and imprisoned he
maintained his integrity in the Lord his God
·
His lifestyle was impeccable even when
falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife
The Turtle
and the Fencepost
When I asked a brother in the
Lord the best way to advance in law enforcement he told me the story of The Turtle and the Fencepost.
“When you see a turtle on a fencepost a question come to mind.
How did the turtle get on the fencepost?
You know he can’t jump and you know he can’t
climb. Have you ever seen a turtle jump or climb?
So, how did he get there? Someone must have put
him there!”
My brother-in the Lord started from
the bottom as a State Trooper, rose through the ranks to eventually become the
Commander of the entire State Patrol. After retirement he became Chief of Police
in one of the largest cities in the state. After retiring as chief of police he
was appointed, by the President of the United States, to head the US Marshalls
over the western section of the same state, which encompasses more than two
thirds of the state.
So, how did he get there, on the
fence post?
He reasoned that since he can’t
jump or climb someone must have put him on that post.
During his career he built himself
a network of individuals throughout Law Enforcement; he joined unions and
supportive law enforcement organizations nationwide and became widely known
amongst the profession; he took every assignment with the fullest of integrity
and zeal.
A turtle
never gets anywhere without sticking his neck out, so he stuck his neck out
from time to time and someone noticed. From his youth he had a goal of becoming
a US Marshall and eventually he made it. Although it took him years of long
hard work, he made it to the top! All this before his 60th birthday!
Joseph too had a goal, a God given
goal [given in a dream].
·
He was 17 when he had the dreams, was sold into Egypt
Gen.37:2-28
·
He was 30 when he was made overseer Gen.39:4
·
2 years after the baker was restored and the butler hanged
he interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams Ge.41:1-57
·
He was 39 when his brothers first came to Egypt (second year
of the famine, or nine years after being made overseer)
·
He was probably 41 or so when the brothers came a second
time and Jacob comes to Egypt
·
He was 110 when he died Gen.50:26
From the outside it looks as if
everything was quick and easy, or does it?
Remember, thought he was his
father’s favorite, yet:
·
He was
despised by his brothers
·
Sold into slavery by his blood brothers
·
Imprisoned in Egypt (at least 11 years)
·
Falsely accused by his master’s wife
·
Again imprisoned
·
Interpreted dreams of the baker and chief butler
·
Forgotten for 2 years by the butler
·
Reinstated to 2nd over Egypt by Pharaoh
·
Faces his own brothers who sold him into slavery
·
Last but not least he comes face to face with his
father Jacob
·
And becomes the savior of Israel
Doesn’t this all seem familiar to
contemporary society?
An acquaintance once told me “It
takes 20 years to become an overnight success”. How are you doing?
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. In
Joseph’s story, who were included in his network?
2. Who
was the turtle?
3. Who
is in your network? List them.
4. What
is your dream or passion?
5. What
do you think of “20 years to be an overnight success” means?
6. What
principles can you learn from this lesson?
7. What
might happen if the wrong person sets you on the fencepost too soon?
8. What
might happen if the turtle tries to jump or climb?
9. What
happens if the turtle never sticks his neck out?
10. What
lessons do you think Joseph learn on his journey?
11. What
lessons have you learned on your journey?
12. What
lessons do you think or know you need to learn?
Knowing God
A brief [not complete, add to the list] synopsis of the
persona of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithfull
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
·
Friend
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the
attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His
forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.
Bible Studies
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