Jacob and Joseph

God’s calling and purpose is sure. Through trials and suffering, we learn to trust God and build character, just as the patriarchs in the Bible did. They trusted God to guide their lives and followed Him through all circumstances in life in order to gain their reward of eternal life.

There are some great and wonderful stories in Scripture—but perhaps none more moving than the story of Jacob and Joseph. We read these marvelous tales and reread them to learn the many lessons they yield. Almost all who read the stories miss some fragment of great truth. That is the beauty of the Holy Scriptures, you cannot glean everything from them in just one reading—actually a lifetime of reading and study will show a person that there is more to learn.

In Genesis 37:29-35 [29] And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
[30] And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?
[31] And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
[32] And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.
[33] And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
[34] And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
[35] And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

See All... we read that Joseph was “dead,” as far as Jacob was concerned. Jacob mourned the death of his son for the next 16 years. Every parent who has lost or almost lost a child can immediately understand the agony and unending sorrow Jacob wrestled with during those years.

Sorrow and suffering

The saga continues in Scripture. In Genesis 44:16-22 [16] And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord's servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.
[17] And he said, God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.
[18] Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord's ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.
[19] My lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye a father, or a brother?
[20] And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
[21] And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him.
[22] And we said unto my lord, The lad cannot leave his father: for if he should leave his father, his father would die.

See All..., we see the 10 brothers of Joseph (who had sold him into slavery) were still plagued and affected by what they had done. As a result, they and their father had also become overanxious about Benjamin (Joseph’s only full brother). Joseph, in the meantime, was also missing his family and his father, Jacob, most of all. As he reveals his identity in Genesis 45:3And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.
See All..., Joseph’s first question is about Jacob his father. “Then Joseph said unto his brothers, ‘I am Joseph; does my father still live?’”

It is a great exercise in thought to visualize God’s position in all of these events. God heard Jacob’s anguished cry for years in his prayers. The sorrow and weight carried by the brothers is also clear. Joseph, in the meantime, was also in prayer to God in all of his trials. Every night God heard Jacob’s lament and pain. God allowed him to suffer and believe that Joseph was dead for about 16 years.

All of the family suffered for this length of time. Joseph eventually had a little more encouragement from God through his dreams and the unfolding of events. He also knew his father and brothers were alive when he was sold into slavery. The acts of his brothers, though, would weigh heavily on him for years. That was, without doubt, one of the reasons Joseph handled their first appearance before him with care. He needed to know how they now felt.

By the time Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt, Joseph knew the reason God had let him be sold into slavery and reassured his brothers (Genesis 45:5Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.
See All...). Like all people with whom God has concerned Himself, Joseph had trials and tests of faith and trust.

Jacob must have wondered for years why God had (he thought) let Joseph die. Why was Joseph not saved or rescued by God? These are questions many people would have in those circumstances. Jacob agonized, but he did not curse God. The reason God allowed the events was so Israel could live. “God sent me before you to preserve life” (verse 5). God saved the lives of Jacob’s family through Joseph. There were eternal lessons to be learned in the process. Though painful, their purpose and goal were so very great that there was nothing left to be said. They could only praise and glorify God.

This is also the purpose for the sufferings of Jesus Christ. God allowed them for your sake and mine (John 3:16-17 [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

See All...). He suffered so we could have life everlasting (Luke 18:28-30 [28] Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
[29] And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
[30] Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

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Our calling and purpose

The people of God have a similar calling and purpose. They, too, suffer in Satan’s world while trying to live a godly life. Their purpose is to save this world and give life to it. In Matthew 24:22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
See All..., Jesus states because there are people who follow Him and willingly suffer to obey God, life will be saved on this earth. The time of greatest danger lies immediately ahead of us all. Mankind will be looking for a Helper and Redeemer. God is preparing a people for the return of Jesus Christ in the near future. This world is standing on the brink of disaster and death without recognizing the “Joseph” that is waiting in the wings.

It is impossible for God to be even the least bit negligent, unkind or lacking in love for His people. He is totally in charge and loves the people He created and hates evil. God is in the process of creating a people for the future. (To learn more, read our free booklet What Is Your Destiny?) God is refining and perfecting people today just as He did in Jacob and Joseph’s time (Daniel 11:35And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
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God allowed Jesus to be “perfected” by what He suffered (Hebrews 5:5-10 [5] So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
[6] As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
[7] Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
[8] Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
[9] And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
[10] Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

See All..., 14). We too, must understand the awesome wisdom of God in allowing us to suffer. The process of preparation and refinement belongs to God. He is the Potter; we are the clay (Romans 9:21Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
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Suffering builds character—both good and bad. God’s intention is that righteous character be built in His people. Just as Joseph grew in stature and wisdom through what he suffered, even so, we, too, must endure and continue to grow to be more like God. Endurance, patience, care for others, strength, resilience, toughness, perseverance—all are developed through what we experience in the hard knocks of life. Jacob and Joseph experienced the fulfilled promises and purpose God had in mind. Jesus, too, knew the purpose of His suffering and accepted it (Luke 22:42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
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We have a life to live and a life to give. It is a challenge, and there is a purpose and goal. As the heroes and heroines who went before us, we, too, need to learn to trust God to do His part as we live our lives and accept our part. God is the author and finisher or our faith and of our lives (Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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