Scripture:
Genesis 37:2-4 ESV
[2] These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. [3] Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. [4] But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.
Observation:
Joseph was not only the youngest brother, but he was Daddy’s favorite because Israel fathered him at such an old age. So Joseph already had the cards stacked against him. That’s why I didn’t help that he lived right. In today’s language, we would call what he did snitching. He gave a bad report on his brothers……and well ……they didn’t like it. So not only did honesty cause him a problem, but his dad not knowing it put a big target on him with a coat that was different from all the rest. Now, his brothers could really see him coming, and that fueled the resentment. Even more. Tomorrow, we will dive into the story a little more because it’s significant. I just wanted to break into it.
Application:
We hear it said that following Jesus will make life so much better, and I do believe that. However, I don’t think it’s because everything will always go your way. I believe it’s because when things don’t go your way. You know that GOD has a reason. Joseph lived a life that conflicted with his brothers, and it did bring favor to him from not only his dad but his heavenly father as well. His honesty drove a wedge between him and his brothers. I guess my question today is, are you living for Jesus? By saying that, I’m not saying, are you perfect? What I’m saying is do people see that you are not like the rest? Does your walk stand out? When you mess up, do you fess up? Living a life that brings glory to GOD will cause conflict with the world. However, living a life that brings glory to GOD will also bring glory to GOD and not go unnoticed by GOD, OR the world, but it’s what we were made for. We are to live in the world, not be of the world. I want the favor of GOD on my life. I have lived long enough on the rough side of things, and it is not a good place to live. When people look at me, I want them to see the Jesus that lives inside of me. I could really preach right now, but I will spear you. My point to all this is that living for GOD will cause conflict with the world. It will also bring the favor of GOD to your life. Once I made the decision to live for HIM, my life changed completely. I’m not saying bad things stopped happening, but I knew how to handle them better because I knew I was not alone.
Prayer:
Father, we want our lives to bring you glory. I know that with my tattoos, I look like the world, but I never want to live for the world again. When people look at us, let them see Jesus. We want more of HIM and less of us. We know that means we have to stand on your word and speak the truth, but let us do it in a manner that is seasoned with grace. Not starting conflict, but not backing down from your truth either. We love you, Father, and pray that as we stand for you, that you continue to write your word on our hearts so that we know exactly how to stand and when to stand, it’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen