THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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This conversation between a man and his accountant was overheard at the entrance to the IRS Office door.
Accountant, "As your tax consultant, I said in case of an audit I would accompany you to the IRS. I never said I'd go IN with you!"
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Gen 37:18-28
18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.
19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.
20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
27 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.
28 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.
KJV
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There are many similarities in the story of Joseph and the story of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Reuben was sorta like the accountant. He said, "Let's don't kill him, let's just throw him in a deep pit." You see, Reuben thought it was ok to put Joseph in a pit for awhile, while he placated the desires of others. Reuben had planned to come back and rescue Joseph, but his plans went awry when the other brothers sold Joseph into slavery before Reuben could get back for the rescue.
Aren't we all a little like Reuben at times? Is it not true that sometimes you want to put Jesus in a deep hole so you can placate the desires of others or yourself? Remember, plans go awry! Always keep your Lord out front where He can LEAD you!
Judah, a lot like Reuben, thought it was not good to kill Joseph. He suggested they just sell him into slavery. Isn't that sorta what we do sometimes? Tell yourself the truth now. Don't you sometimes make Christ a SLAVE to FORGIVENESS. You do things EXPECTING Him to forgive you. Remember, plans go awry! Always keep your Lord out front where He can LEAD you!
Two more things I want to point out here in the similarities of Joseph and Jesus.
1st - Ishmaelites are descendents of Abraham by his son Ishmael; Midianites are descendents of Abraham through his second marriage to Keturah. These are ALL Semites plotting to sell/buy this innocent lad. The Bible says Jesus, "...came unto his own , and his own received him not." (John 1:11)
2nd - Joseph was sold for 30 pieces of silver, and so was Jesus. The grandest, most wonderful joy in the world is to have Jesus. Why do we constantly SELL Him for the measley things of the world?
Don't let your life follow the example of Joseph's brothers.
Instead, let your life follow the example of Joseph.
Love ya,
Bruce