Innocent, sold as
a slave he was, cast from his home of love because, of vile jealousy.
Innocent, hung on
the deadly tree, cursed by God for sin was He, for my iniquity.
Genesis 37 begins the full account of
the life and ministry of Joseph. When I
taught at Bible college my favorite class to teach was Christ in the Old
Testament. We looked at prophecies,
pictures and profiles of Christ. The
person whose profile most often matched that of Jesus Christ was Joseph. There are over 100 comparisons of their life
and ministry. In the stories of Joseph
we will find a panoramic vista of grace.
Chapter 37 of Genesis relates the story
of Joseph being so hated by his brothers that they cast him into a pit and then
sold him as a slave into Egypt. We might
pause to think how we would react toward our brothers if they treated us so
wickedly. Would we ponder revenge on
them as we find done in The Count of
Monte Cristo? Would our life be
spent in getting even? That is certainly
a human reaction. It is a reaction that
erupts from our sin nature.
Skipping ahead in Genesis to chapter 45
we find Joseph’s brothers standing helpless before him in Egypt where he has
risen to be next only to Pharaoh. They
are hungry and fearful. This is that
great opportunity for revenge. But
Joseph didn’t take that path. He offered
them a home and safety. He offered them
a life of plenty instead of a life of want.
Joseph was gracious.
Skipping further ahead to the Gospels
of Jesus Christ we find our Savior hanging on the cruel cross of shame. Around him are the tormenters and
accusers. They are in need of a new
heart and hope in God. Jesus looks on
the crowd and says, “Father, forgive them.
They know not what they do.” He
was gracious. He was dying for the sins
they were committing against Him and He was gracious.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 to “be
kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ’s sake, has forgiven you.” Joseph
was just a man like we are, yet he possessed the Spirit of Christ as all
believers do. By that Spirit he could be
gracious. So can we.
Innocent, made by His decree, son of God with Him I be, to
show His victory.
You
may also enjoy this inspirational devotional book, The Gospel According to Molly,
available
here:
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