JOSEPH’S MISTAKE:
Genesis 37:18-20, 23-28 NLT
[18] When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. [19] “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. [20] “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”
[23] So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. [24] Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. [25] Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt. [26] Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. [27] Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. [28] So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt.
What did Joseph do to warrant being sold as a slave to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt and sold him on to Potiphar? He told his brothers his dreams of becoming great! What did he do to deserve being thrown into prison? For being a handsome and very successful young slave and refusing the advances of his master’s wife! Friends, let me repeat that you don’t have to do anything wrong to be attacked and afflicted.
What did David do to deserve being chased like a rabbit all over the place by his own boss and king? For being a skillful Player of the harp, killing Goliath, and for winning the admiration and praises of the masses of Israel for helping them to win their battles! What did Daniel and the three Hebrew boys do to warrant persecution? For being excellent workers and uncompromising righteous Jews!
In each of these instances, God was faithful to His word. He preserved them, delivered them, and promoted them. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, says the Lord your God (Isaiah 54:17). These people overcame their afflictions to rise up and progress in life because they were innocent victims. God will make all things work in your favour.
Romans 8:28 NLT
[28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
To prevail as a Believer, you must never suffer because of wrong doing.
1 Peter 4:14-16 NLT
[14] If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. [15] If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. [16] But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
Friends, God fulfilled His word concerning Joseph by making him a ruler in Egypt to save the world from famine (Psalms 105:16-22), David became the king of Israel, Daniel and the three Hebrew boys were promoted and honoured. May the Lord do the same for you in Jesus’s name. Amen!