信仰の手引き（英語・English）
Joseph, a Man of God
Author
goodnews2
Date
2024-07-24 00:55
Views
715
Jacob’s Most Beloved Son
Jacob had twelve sons, among whom Joseph and Benjamin were the sons he had later in life with Rachel, the wife he loved the most. Jacob particularly favored Joseph over all his other sons. He gave Joseph a coat of many colors, which was worn by people of high status. When Joseph’s brothers saw this, they were full of envy.
One day, Joseph spoke to his brothers.
“Brothers, I want to share a dream I had with you all. We were tying sheaves in the field, and my sheaf stood up while yours gathered around and bowed down to mine.”
“What? Are you saying you will rule over us?”
“Do you really think you will reign over us?”
On a different day, Joseph had another dream and told his brothers about it.
“Brothers, this time, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars bowed down to me. ”
Because of this incident, his brothers grew even more resentful of him.
Joseph Sold into Egypt
One day, Jacob asked Joseph to go and check if his brothers, who were far away feeding the sheep, were well. As Joseph approached where his brothers were tending the sheep, they noticed him from a distance.
“Look, isn’t that Joseph? The dreamer is coming.”
“Why don’t we kill him and tell Father that a wild animal devoured him? Let’s see if his dreams come true then.”
At that moment, the eldest brother, Reuben, suggested, “Let’s not kill him. Instead, let’s throw him into a pit in the wilderness. ” So, when Joseph got closer, they stripped off his coat of many colors and threw him into a pit. Shortly after, Midianite traders passed by on their way to Egypt and Joseph’s brothers sold him to them. They brought Joseph into Egypt.
From Being a Slave to a Prisoner
After Joseph was taken to Egypt, he was sold to Potiphar, the captain of the guard. Though he became a slave in a foreign land, God was with Joseph. Seeing that everything Joseph did prospered with God’s help, Potiphar appointed him as his household manager (overseer over his house). However, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph, and when he refused her advances, she falsely accused him. Thus, Joseph ended up unjustly thrown into prison.
However, even in prison, Joseph remained faithful and continued to trust in God. God helped him in his circumstances. The keeper of the prison trusted Joseph and put him in charge of all the prisoners.
Meanwhile, the chief of the butlers and the chief of the bakers, who were responsible for the king’s wine and bread, offended the king and were thrown into prison. Joseph, at the command of the captain of the guard, took care of these two officials. One morning, he noticed that they were sad. Both had had dreams but they did not understand their meanings. Joseph interpreted their dreams for them and everything happened according to his interpretations; the chief butler was restored to his position after three days, while the chief baker was executed.
Becoming the Ruler to Save Egypt
Two years after these events took place, the Egyptian king, Pharaoh, had a dream that troubled him deeply, and no one could interpret its meaning. That’s when the chief butler remembered Joseph and recommended him to Pharaoh. When Joseph came, he said to Pharaoh, “God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace,” and immediately interpreted the dream for him. He explained that a severe famine would come upon Egypt and also suggested ways to prepare for it. When Joseph finished speaking, Pharaoh said to him.
“Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discreet and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders.”
Joseph, who had been sold as a slave and unjustly imprisoned, became a ruler who governed and saved many people through these trials. Thanks to Joseph, many lives were saved from famine.
Living with God’s Heart
One day, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food. Little did they know that the governor distributing the food was Joseph himself. Can you imagine how astonished they were when they later found out? And also, how fearful they must have been, worried that Joseph might seek revenge. However, Joseph was different from what his brothers expected. Instead of harboring resentment, he was grateful for the opportunity to save his family by becoming the governor. So, he invited his brothers and their families to live well in Egypt.
Joseph was a man of God. Whenever he faced difficulties, he knew that God was with him, helping him. Because of this, he lived with God’s heart wherever he went. By treating people with kindness and doing his duties with God’s good heart, he received grace and love from others.
When we see someone who wrongs us, we often feel angry and resentful. However, by reading the Bible and receiving God’s heart, we can learn to treat others with God’s heart and live for the sake of others. When we live like Joseph, with God’s heart, our lives will be filled with blessings in the end.
