Like Joseph in the Bible, some of us need an extra push to realize our God given dreams and potentials.
A story is told of a rich man who had a beautiful daughter ready for marriage. The father of the young lady organized a contest for his daughter. He sent word to his townsmen inviting all those eligible for the contest, promising that the lucky winner would marry his daughter with so many added benefits.
As you can guess, many men turned up. The rich man took them to his swimming pool and said to them; “any of you who can swim across this pool will become my son in-law. He however added that the pool was full of alligators, crocodiles and sharks”. And indeed these creatures could be seen swimming in the pool.
This caused great murmuring, others walked away but while the commotion was going on, there was a loud splash in the pool. Everyone’s attention was gripped as they watched one gentleman swim across, carefully avoiding the crocodiles, alligators and sharks. And he made it safely out of the pool.
There arose a big applause from the spectators for him but still panting; he shouted “I want to know the man who pushed me into the pool. Insistently he called out “show me the man who pushed me into the waters!”
A great silence swept across the audience until the rich man intervened and told him, “ who pushed you into the pool is not the big deal right now, my offer still stands and beaconing to his daughter he handed her to him.
Like the man in the story above, many Christians are busy looking for the man/people who pushed them to another level. That could be an abusive parent, a harsh boss, an envious colleague, a jealous leader in the church, a boyfriend who dumped you or a spouse who left you.
“I hear the Lord say, My child thank me for those people who pushed you into the pool. If they hadn’t pushed you, you wouldn’t have reached the place I ordained for you. I was right inside that pool, guiding you through, making you ready for what waited outside the waters. Remember there was no way you could have made it through if I didn’t uphold you with my Hand”.
Today we will learn from the life of Joseph who was pushed out of his family and homeland against his will but for a greater good.
The story of Joseph is covered in thirteen chapters of the book of Genesis. But I will pick up a few scriptures for the sake of this sermon
Gen 37:17-20 says; “……….so Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.
Here comes the dreamer! They said to each other. Come now let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
Joseph was hated by his brothers first, because his father Jacob loved him and had made him a colored coat. Secondly because of his dreams that seemed to indicate that he would rule over them.
These dreams had a twofold interpretation. One was spiritual and the other physical. The first (Gen 37:5-8) showed how his family members would bow before him which actually happened. The second (Gen 37:9). Was spiritual.
The Egyptians worshipped the Sun, moon and stars. According to britanica.com, In Africa ancient Egypt was the main Centre from which solar deity concepts emanated. This means that the ruling powers over Egypt were the sun, moon and stars and God was telling Joseph that he would give him power and authority over these gods.
In Gen 45:8 Joseph said; “So then it was not you who sent me here but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
Not only was Joseph pushed by his brothers, but by Potiphar’s wife too. If she hadn’t falsely accused him, he wouldn’t have been to prison where he met the servants of Pharaoh, who later recommended him to Pharaoh.
The bible is full of so many examples of people who were pushed against their will to where God wanted them to be.
Our Lord Jesus Christ was pushed by Judas Iscariot. The betrayal helped Jesus to get to the cross and salvation came to humanity.
King David had a King Saul who pushed him to seek God more until he developed a pure heart that God referred to as a heart after His own heart.
Every one of us has been through one or more situations where you wouldn’t have willingly accepted if you had the opportunity to choose. Jesus had a good response to those who crucified Him when he told the Father; “forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”.
The people who plotted against Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego even Daniel respectively, did not know that they were pushing these people for promotion. They didn’t know what they were doing.
Same goes for whoever is troubling your life right now.
There is somebody after your dreams; you are hated because of the dream you carry
What you carry determines the level of attack upon your life. They sought to kill Moses and Jesus when they were babies because of their life assignment
Each one of you has an assignment both to destroy the works of the devil through spiritual warfare and to save lives. There are people who won’t breakthrough unless you breakthrough. Their blessing is tied to yours. For example, Samson was born to deliver Israel from the Philistines. Gideon to deliver them from the Medianites. Moses from the Egyptians.
God uses adverse circumstances to do good for those He loves.
Three tests for Joseph in Egypt
• The test of personal purity with Potiphar’s wife
• The test of trusting God to fulfill what He had shown him in dreams
• The test of revenge against his brother
General Lessons
• The dream God has given you will attract enemies and attacks and the bigger the dreams, the tougher the problems
• God will use painful experiences to push you to where you are supposed to be. He will use anyone starting with those very close to you
• God chooses men and lifts them to places of honor for the sake of others
• Purity, unwavering trust in God are key determinants for you to reach your full destiny. God told Abraham if you walk blameless before me and observe my statutes, then I will keep my covenant with you forever.
• Don’t take offence, revenge against those who have hurt you or are hurting you. God has allowed it for your promotion. Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.
• No matter where you are, or what you are going through, God will always be with you. Joseph was away from home and family but God never left him
• God is doing more good than you can imagine through the most painful experiences of your life.
