Aspects of Loneliness
Loneliness in Persecution - Genesis Chapters 37 to 50
Are you feeling lonely right now? The clouds seem very dark and low, and you're wondering just how you'll make it through the day! Well this message is just for you! Discover what God has to say, and really expect Him to speak right into your circumstances.
In this series we're looking at people in the Bible who experienced loneliness in many different ways, and today we're thinking of Joseph in the book of Genesis, chapters 37 to 50. Just picture the scene! At the start of our story Jacob was a prosperous farmer with twelve sons, and Joseph was next to the youngest. Sadly he was favoured by his father, a situation that often spells trouble, and one we should always guard against. In this story we will see that Joseph was Persecuted, Provoked and finally Promoted.
First we see him being... Persecuted. Joseph's father provided him with a very special coat, a sign of his favour and a token of his authority and responsibility over his older brothers. This was not the wisest move, and it enflamed the hatred of the brothers. The record says: "They hated him and could not speak a kind word to him." Joseph was 17 years old and would find the persecution very hard to bear. This was not just a small family difference but ten older brothers not even on speaking terms with him! He might very well say, "But I've done nothing wrong; if our father wishes to give me a special coat that is up to him. I didn't ask for it or expect it. What have I done to deserve this?"
Perhaps that is where you are today. You are just an ordinary Christian, going about your work, yet some people have it in for you, without any real reason; so you're feeling lonely and depressed. But that was only the start of Joseph's problems. There was much worse to come. Perhaps it was partly his fault; I leave you to judge; but it happened this way. Joseph had two dreams, in one of them he was in a field with his brothers, binding wheat, when their sheaves bowed down to his. Then the dream changed and the sun, moon and eleven stars were bowing down to him. Of course, he couldn't help the dream coming, but he then went and shared it with his father and brothers. You could have cut the atmosphere with a knife! If they hated him before, then there wasn't much hope for him now! And that is how it turned out!
Taking their opportunity, the brothers stripped him of his special robe and put him into a pit, miles from home. He was desperately lonely, but the God he trusted in had His eye on him. Just then a group of traders passed by on their way to Egypt, and seeing their chance of easy money, the brothers sold him for twenty shekels of silver, two shekels for each brother!
Things seemed to improve for Joseph when he was sold to the captain of the Egyptian guard, and by working hard and conscientiously he gained the respect of his master, and was given responsibility. He was still a long way from home, but at least he had food, clothing and shelter. Suddenly, almost without warning, it happened again, and this time he was really... Provoked. Just when life seemed a little easier, the master's wife tried to entice him into bed with her, and when he refused she falsely accused him to her husband, claiming he had tried to rape her. What an impossible situation for a God-fearing young man in which to find himself.
This soon landed him in prison with little hope of ever seeing freedom again. He was still a young man, in a strange country, miles from home, in an Egyptian prison, and with no news of his father. If you think your loneliness is bad, just picture how Joseph must have felt. To what depths of loneliness he must have sunk. Should he give up and resign himself to the certain knowledge that he was serving a sentence for life? No! Joseph was made of sterner stuff. With diligence he applied himself to every task given to him, and soon caught the eye of the jailer.
The jailer gave him responsibility for looking after Pharaoh's chief baker and cup-bearer, who were in prison because they had upset their royal master. When, with God's help, Joseph was able to interpret dreams for these royal servants, and when the chief butler was reinstated to his position, just as Joseph had foretold, everything seemed to be going well for Joseph once again. He had asked the royal butler to put in a good word for him at the palace, to get him released from prison, and he was sure it wouldn't be long before he was free. Human nature being what it is, we're not surprised when we read "The chief cup-bearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him!"
As the days lengthened into weeks, and the weeks into months, Joseph's loneliness in prison increased; he didn't even have the royal servants to talk to now! How desperate he must have been, and how depressed he must have felt! If that is how you are feeling today, listen to the rest of the story. God was still caring for his lonely servant! After two long years when, no doubt, Joseph had given up all hope of being released, strange things were happening up at the palace.
Pharaoh had two dreams that greatly disturbed him, and when none of the wise men could interpret them, the chief butler remembered Joseph, and he was speedily brought out of prison. Witnessing bravely, Joseph told Pharaoh that he could not interpret dreams, but his God would give Pharaoh the answer. In a remarkable way he was able to tell the ruler that there were going to be seven years of wonderful harvests, followed by seven years of famine. Under God's guidance he then told Pharaoh that he should appoint a wise and discerning man who would ensure prudence during the plentiful years so that there would be supplies in hand to meet the years of famine. Pharaoh immediately said "Where can we find such a man as this, one in whom is God's Spirit?" What a wonderful testimony!
Here was a lonely man who battled through, knowing that God was on the throne and would look after him. He was then... Promoted. Joseph was still only thirty years old, but under God's gracious hand he had gained a wealth of experience. He actually became God's instrument for saving the lives of his own family...but that is another story. Years later he was able to say to his brothers "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good!"