Podcast: Download (Duration: 9:21 — 6.4MB)
Do you do that too? You get lost in thought, ponder the future, and ask yourself questions. First, we were confronted with two years of COVID, with its many restrictions and changes to our private and spiritual lives, and then suddenly came the war in Ukraine, which—right in the heart of Europe—is not far from us. What else awaits us?
Should we give in to fear? How should I, as a Christian, properly assess this time? And above all, how should I behave during this time? This article will address these questions with some examples from God's Word and attempt to provide answers. We all live in uncertain times and do not know what the near future holds.
Joseph – the beginning of his uncertain time
Looking at the life of Joseph, we see that he too experienced many turning points in time, during which he did not despair but trusted in the Lord. Joseph's story begins in the first book of Moses, chapter 37, with some dreams that he did not hide from his family. At that time, Joseph lived with his father and was a shepherd. When Joseph was one day sent by his father Jacob to check on his brothers, they decided to kill him.
After Reuben, the eldest brother, intervened on Joseph's behalf and ensured he wasn't killed, the brothers decided to throw him into a pit. This marked the beginning of an uncertain time for Joseph. Previously, as his father's favorite son, he had been protected and had nothing to fear. But suddenly and unexpectedly, Joseph lay naked in a pit, not knowing what would happen to him.
Surrounded by temptation
Interestingly, it was Judah, whose Greek name is Judas, who came up with the idea of selling his younger half-brother. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, and a new chapter of his life began, filled with unexpected events. Joseph arrived as a slave in the house of Potiphar, a captain in the guard. Even in a foreign land and a new environment, the Lord granted Joseph success in all things and was with him. Potiphar recognized that God was with Joseph and entrusted him with everything in his house, worrying about nothing except what he ate and drank.
What reliability and order Joseph must have radiated here! But even in this house, not everything ran smoothly. As a young man of about 20, Joseph faced a severe trial and was tempted daily by Potiphar's wife. Here we see the profound fear of God that Joseph, far removed from his parents' home, experienced. "How could I do such a great evil and sin against God?" Joseph replied to the woman's challenge.
At that time, the tablets of the Law of Moses did not yet exist, so we can assume that Joseph had a personal relationship with God. It is also conceivable that he learned from his brothers' mistakes. Despite his young age, he knew what was right and what was wrong. These two aspects are also of great importance to us in uncertain times. If we have a personal relationship with God, we will automatically and gradually come to understand what pleases our Lord and what does not.
Furthermore, we should also learn from the mistakes and sins of others. After Joseph survived temptation, he was thrown into prison based on a false accusation by Potiphar's wife, where he spent several years. We read nothing about Joseph resisting in any way or even speaking negatively about the woman who tempted and punished him.
Image source: AdobeStock_502957828 © Marina
Unjust fate
Joseph's time in prison was a unique period. According to Psalm 105:18, Joseph's feet were bound in a stocks and his neck in irons. What torment that must have been! Joseph experienced his lowest physical condition in prison. But what happened to his relationship with God during this time? The Lord himself was there when Joseph was suffering so much and had so much to grumble about. Psalm 105:19 says: "Until his word was fulfilled and the word of the Lord had purified him."
Joseph, whose past was impeccable, was purified and shaped by the Lord in prison. As an inmate, he was given great responsibility: he cared for all the prisoners, relieving the jailer of his duties. The story of the imprisoned baker and the cupbearer shows us that Joseph was not like a typical warden.
He saw that the two former servants of the king were sad. Let us, too, have open eyes and ears for other people, be they our brothers and sisters or people from around the world. Joseph listened to their troubles and was able to interpret their dreams. But it was important to him to give glory to God. He emphasized before every dream interpretation that the interpretation of a dream belongs to God. He never took credit for this gift himself. When we receive a gift from the Lord, we, too, should give only God the glory for it, for He is the one who can give and also receive.
Not least, Joseph's behavior in prison teaches us not to hold grudges. When he asked the cupbearer to remember him when he was released, he said: “ For I was carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and I have done nothing here to warrant being imprisoned!” (Genesis 40:15). Joseph, who suffered so much at the hands of others, does not accuse anyone. He mentions neither his brothers who sold him nor Potiphar's wife, who brought him to prison through a false accusation. The cupbearer's interpretation of the dream seems to offer Joseph the hope of soon being released from prison if the cupbearer intercedes on his behalf.
But after only three days, the cupbearer forgot about Joseph's help, and he had to remain in prison for another two years. What a cause for despair! But suddenly, through a dream the Pharaoh had, everything happened very quickly. From prison, he rose to become the second most important man in all of Egypt and married within a very short time. Joseph's uncertain time seemed to be over. The years in Egypt had separated him from his family, and yet, even though he had been in so many different positions and situations, Joseph was a happy man, for the Lord was with him.
Love and forgiveness
As an interesting comparison, we can consider Joseph's brothers, who also found themselves in a time of uncertainty after their father's death. Had Joseph truly forgiven them? What if he had simply been waiting for their father's death to exact revenge on them? We can see in chapter 50 that they were afraid. They sent someone to Joseph to tell him that their father had instructed them to apologize to him.
Joseph wept when these words were revealed to him, for he had long since forgiven his brothers. He had been caring for the well-being of his brothers and their families for quite some time, and yet his brothers still feared him. Here we see a clear contrast between a righteous man and an unrighteous man in uncertain times. Joseph trusted in God and, through his fear of God and his relationship with Him, preserved himself from sin. Thus, the Lord was able to mold Joseph and use him. The brothers who had no relationship with God lived in constant fear during this uncertain time, and their means of coping often involved lying.
Your relationship with God is crucial
Our times today are no less uncertain. And for us too, it is essential to guard ourselves from sin, to walk in the fear of God, and to have a living relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In this way, we need not be afraid and, like Joseph, can discern God's will and ways in our lives. May the Lord bless us!
Daniel Friesen
Municipality of Speyer