Saturday 26 December, 2015

37 Jacob lived in the land of Canaan. It’s the land where his father had stayed. 2 Here is the story of the family line of Jacob. Joseph was a young man. He was 17 years old. He was taking care of the flocks with some of his brothers. They were the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, the wives of his father Jacob. Joseph brought their father a bad report about his brothers. 3 Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. That’s because Joseph had been born to him when he was old. Israel made him a beautiful robe. 4 Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them. So they hated Joseph. They couldn’t even speak one kind word to him. 5 Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to the dream I had. 7 We were tying up bundles of grain out in the field. Suddenly my bundle stood up straight. Your bundles gathered around my bundle and bowed down to it.” 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you plan to be king over us? Will you really rule over us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream. They didn’t like what he had said. 9 Then Joseph had another dream. He told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said. “I had another dream. This time the sun and moon and 11 stars were bowing down to me.” 10 He told his father as well as his brothers. Then his father rebuked him. He said, “What about this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers really do that? Will we really come and bow down to the ground in front of you?” 11 His brothers were jealous of him. But his father kept the dreams in mind.

Throughout this scripture we see Joseph speaking his mind – whether bringing a bad report about his brothers (verse 2), or professing his somewhat controversial dreams about his family bowing down to him (verse 6, verse 9).

We aren’t given much description of Joseph’s attitude or feelings – was he saying these things pridefully? Arrogantly? Fearfully? Confidently? Regardless of how he was feeling and how he delivered what was on his heart, I am encouraged by his consistency in saying what needed to be said. Often we need to bring an honest report about those around us, even if they will not appreciate us doing so. Even more importantly, if we believe God has spoken to us, we need to be consistent in our confession and declaration of what He has spoken, regardless of the consequences. This isn’t for our sake, but for the outworking of His plans and purposes and for His glory.

Father, help me to always say what needs to be said. Please give me the confidence, strength and boldness to confess and declare what you’ve put on my heart, regardless of the consequences, for Your glory. Amen.

Written by Matt Samperi