January 16
“And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.” Gen. 37:4.
“With Joseph, the Lord saw something in him that He could not find in Joseph’s brothers. Not only was he his father’s favorite son, but he was God’s favorite, too. God had in mind something great for Joseph — greater than the world could ever think of. To prove himself trust-worthy Joseph had to first become a slave. He had to be trained for the big job.
It was envy that moved the brothers of Joseph to sell him as a slave; they hoped to prevent him from becoming greater than themselves. And when he was carried to Egypt, they flattered themselves that they were to be no more troubled with his dreams, that they had removed all possibility of their fulfillment. But their own course was overruled by God to bring about the very event that they designed to hinder.
So the way Providence worked, it was that his brothers sold him to be a slave. Just then he recalled what the Lord had promised him in a dream — that besides his brothers, even his father and mother were to bow down to him. Can you imagine what a splendid opportunity was his to curse God when he saw himself on the way to slavery? He might have said, “Why should I serve a God that promises glory but instead gives humiliation, hardship and isolation?”
However, this was not his attitude. Whether at home, or as a captive, in all circumstances, Joseph was found to be a kind, peaceful, and God fearing man. These attributes he maintained in all the challenges of life.
Joseph’s life was a living example of the words, “If it be possible, as much as
lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Rom. 12:18.
Even while in grief, Joseph must have demonstrated his ability to serve, and must have shown great respect to his slave masters while on the way to Egypt, because then it was that the peddlers found out the worth of their captive, and then realized that they could sell him to someone who wanted something good and that could pay the price.
Joseph quickly reconciled himself to his situation, confident that his father’s God knew all about his troubles. Thus his slave masters, the Ishmaelites, immediately recognized that they were in possession of a fine slave, a slave that they could sell for a good piece of money. How do I know this? I know it because the Ishmaelites took him straightway to a man who would buy nothing but the best… to one that could pay the price. Rich men, you know, do not buy cheap things, neither do salesmen take cheap things to them.”
SOURCE REFERENCES
JANUARY 16th
CC 79.2, 1TG No 2. 24-27