Joseph and David (word study)

Other than Christ Himself, my two favorite people in the Bible are Joseph (Genesis 37-50) and David (the sheppard and king). Joseph, because of his brokenness, willingness to forgive others, persistence, and willingness to trust God. David, because of His heart for God, comeback from failure, and the way God saw Him when others couldn't. I've just started a study in David's life now.

The story of Joseph opens up in Genesis 37 and concludes in Genesis 50. May I point out some things that were revealed to me through Gods word?

1. Joseph had a dream given to him from God.

• The dream wasn't something Joseph mustered up but was from heaven itself. It wasn't a self-centered dream but one that was directly connected to the kingdom of God.

2. The Lord gave the dream to Joseph when he was a young boy of 17 years of age but it didn't come to pass until he was around 30 years of age.

• He had to be broken and there had to be things he would have to go through before it (the dream) manifested. There had to be a "time table" involved.

3. Joseph was a man of forgiveness.

• Anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness are dream killers! Satan uses them to prevent the will of God happening in your life and calling! Many have fallen pray to the bait! He was betrayed by his own family. He could have been offended at God for allowing him to go to prison b/c of his righteousness (when he rejected Potiphor's wife for sex). He could have gotten offended when the chief cupbearer forgot him in prison after he had promised not to.

4. Joseph persevered even in his darkest trials!

• Joseph could have doubted his "dream" and/or his calling but he dared to trust God!

5. God promoted Joseph!

• We must remember that it is "God who lifts and man up and brings another down." It is God who promotes us in our lives and ministry no matter what the devil may do to stop that from happening!

6. Dream comes to pass!

• As Joseph's brothers bowed low before him and the other things transgressed the dream came to pass in it's proper time.

7. Joseph wept.

• A broken man Joseph did not retaliate (yea, he had a little fun at first) but received his family back with love and forgiveness.

8. If Joseph wouldn't have seen the hand of God in his situation he would have become bitter.

• Joseph told his brothers, "You intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen. 50:20)

As my pastor would say there are many "cribs of corn to shuck" in that story but I wanted to share just a few that stood out to me.

What has God called you to do? What "dream" has he given you? Are you willing to go through the things that you must go through before they come to pass? Believe and trust God and they will!

Have a great week!