Last time we saw how Joseph told
his brothers about his dreams that they will bow before him. Joseph
was still very young and immature as he bragged about his dreams to
his brothers who already hated him. We learned that we must be
emotionally intelligent and wise as to what to tell other people.
We shouldn't brag about how God blesses us. We should rather help
other people and reach out to them. And be an example to others in
our deeds.
As we read further about his life
we see that Israel didn't send Joseph with his brothers to care for
the flock. Israel kept him at home whilst his brothers had to work.
We don't know the reason why, but we can assume that it was because
he was his father's favorite and his father didn't want him to get
hurt. But what his father did do was to send him to see what his
brothers were up to:
"Please go and see if it is
well with your brothers and well with the flocks and bring back
word to me." Genesis 37:14
Now I am sure Israel had noble
intentions by sending Joseph, or maybe he wanted to check up on his
sons, as Joseph had in the past sent back gossip about his
brothers' wrong doings to his father. Whatever the reason, Israel
sent Joseph to look for his brothers and the flocks and bring back
word to Israel.
Now as it happened Joseph's
brothers weren't where they were supposed to be. They were supposed
to be at Shechem, but upon arrival Joseph didn't find them there.
Instead a stranger told him that they had decided to rather go to
Dothan. Joseph then set out after them and found them there.
And it was there at Dothan that
Joseph walked into the lion's den. He had no idea what was waiting
for him there. We will look at the detail next week, but let's just
say his brothers weren't too keen on receiving him as they knew
that Joseph would send a bad report back about them as they weren't
where they were supposed to be.
We might all face Dothan situations
in our lives. Some might be our own doing, but most of the time we
walk innocently into a situation, only to find that we have walked
into the lion's den. After all the Bible tells us that the devil
walks around like a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour. He
is prowling around regularly and given the chance he will pounce.
In the natural a person without any armor will have no defense
against a hungry lion in the wild. He won't stand a chance. But
yet, when he has armor on, plus weapons his chances are better to
fight back. But the best, basically full proof protection is if
there is a sturdy electric fence between the man and the lion. Then
the lion might be roaring and looking for prey, but the person
would be safe.
We are often in very difficult
situations. We find ourselves surrounded by trouble, whether it is
relationships, sickness, financial difficulties, crime etc. We
might innocently be in the wrong place at the wrong time, prey for
the hungry lion. But when we have the armor of God on and the sword
of the Word, we can fight back and know that we are protected. And
when we walk in the shadow of the Almighty, so close to Him that we
can feel His breath, when we take Holy Communion and anoint
ourselves with the oil of His grace, then it is as if an electric
fence is erected between us and the hungry lion. In the presence of
the Almighty is our protection and we can know that He will work
all things for our good (Romans 8:28).
"He who dwells in the
secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the
Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust." Psalm 91:1, 2
Joseph stepped into the lion's den,
and yes he was captured and taken away, but he wasn't killed and
God was with him every step of the way, ensuring that His plan
prospers and that Joseph be exalted in the end. We might also wait
years to see the good outcome that God has ordained for us, but
know that it is coming. He will most certainly allow all things to
work together for your good. With God by our side, we have
protection against the lions. We should just remain with Him, side
by side, knowing that we are safe within His will for our
lives.
Father thank you that You are our
protection and fortress in the lion's den. If we walk close to You
all things will work together for our good, we look forward to it
and we trust in You. You know best. Amen