TURNING ADVERSITY TO ADVANTAGE – JOSEPH, FROM SLAVE TO TRUSTED SERVANT

Dear Members in Christ,

Turning Adversity to advantage – Joseph, from slave to trusted servant

It is not unusual to hear of Christians falling upon hard times. The recent years are a good example of how even those who are diligent and attentive to their work or business can experience sudden disruption in their businesses or perhaps some even losing their employment and source of income. We have heard of the psalmist’s cry to God and his total surrender to God in Psalm 31 by King David who wrote, 

“Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.” Psalm 31:5

In this psalm, David shows us that totally submitting to God and allowing His sovereign will to take its course is the way. Thus he says, “Into thine hand I commit my spirit.” David is willing to trust God in a dire situation whatever the outcome may be. And David is assured because God is his redeemer. Note that he expresses this in the perfect tense, as a condition that is past, accomplished, and he is fully assured. We should also trust God whatever the circumstances befall us.

A Christian that is walking close to the Lord fear not adverse and hostile circumstances in life. The believer is unafraid because the Lord will overrule any events for His purpose and glory, eventually, God’s sovereign will prevails, and the faithful rests in full assurance. Today’s article is about Joseph, the boy sold into slavery, and how by trusting God, it worked out well for him. 

A. Real adversity for Joseph - being sold as a slave

The account begins in Genesis chapter 37, when the siblings had malicious intent upon Joseph because he was the favored son of Jacob. Oh! How sad and bitter the spirit of envy can be in the hearts of men. If not for Judah’s plea not to kill, Joseph might have been killed. God saw to it that Joseph’s life was preserved. We read in Genesis 37 of what transpired in his being sold as a slave,

“Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.  Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.” Genesis 37:27,28

Poor Joseph, sold for a mere 20 pieces of silver by none other than his own brothers. How pitiful a situation to be in! Often times, we fret when calamities or catastrophes befall us. We can learn from the example of Joseph in his sojourn in Egypt. A believer trusting in the Lord will not fear under any circumstances. Being sold into slavery is as bad as losing one’s life. All liberties are taken from such a man, and he becomes the possession of another. What a terrible fate to befall a believer!

Dearly beloved, let us never despair whatever befall us. God has a plan, and it would unfold to reveal God’s gracious hand in Joseph’s life. 

B. God guides Joseph into a position of trust

From the slave who was sold to the Egyptian officer, God was able to elevate Joseph and exalt him in the presence of his master Potiphar.

“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” Genesis 39:1-3

Now, Potiphar was no ordinary man. He was an “officer of Pharoah, captain of the guard”. There is no doubt that his was a high-ranking position. Depending on the size of the contingent under his command, Potiphar would probably rank as a Colonel or General in a modern army, a considerably high position. But, the key note here is “the Lord was with him (Joseph)”.

How wonderful it is when God is with a man. Truly the world has yet to see what God can do through a man who is totally surrendered to Him. Joseph was such a man. Potiphar’s assessment of Joseph was absolutely correct when he saw that whatever Joseph laid hands on, “the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand”.

Brothers and sisters, let us be faithful in our walk with God. He knows what is best for each believer, whatever your circumstances, we are urged by Scripture to maintain a walk such that others may say, “the Lord was with him” or her for that matter. May God strengthen our walk with Him to be close and in touch always with our Lord and Savior. Amen.    

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor