Joseph the Saviour

There is no more amazing life story in the Old Testament than that of Joseph. God's master plan was for Joseph to become the second most powerful man in Egypt, the assistant to Pharaoh who ruled the greatest nation on earth at that time. But how does a Jewish young man become number two in a foreign land? Through his jealous brothers, he was betrayed and beaten and finally sold into slavery which is how he came to be in Egypt.

Betrayal, beating, rejection, imprisonment ­ that is a lot of fire, (which is the symble of trial) but it was that very fire that produced the amazingly beautiful outcome. Joseph was put in a world class position where he saved many lives from famine, including the lives of his own family members. Joseph later said to the brothers who betrayed him, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive as they are today" (Gen 50:20). Earlier on, Joseph explained to them the divine plan that was being accomplished, even through their sin, "It was not you who sent me here, but God" (Gen 45:5).

Whatever happens to us, brethren and sisters, has first to pass through our Father's hands; God promised us that "He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear" (1 Cor 10:13), and God will bring something amazing out of what seems bad in our lives.

Let us continue to share Christ with all those we can teach. We know that most people are not interested in the gospel, because they have been overtaken by earthly desires. There are, however, some who are willingly to listen to us. God wants to put us in a position where we can save lives by turning others to Christ. Let us be bound to Christ for our spiritual and natural families and help each other to come to the light of the gospel.

It is one of the strange ways of God. `The boy the brothers sold' becomes a saviour for many peoples in Egypt. I also compare Joseph to Jesus Christ because the Bible tells us, the stone the builders rejected (by the Jews and) later became the capstone (Mk12:10). Jesus told them, "A prophet is not respected in his home town". No matter the outcome, both Joseph and Jesus remained strong, looking up to God even to the end. May we remain true to our calling in Jesus Christ.

Bro Gideon Hankomone (Mazabuka, Zambia)