Shade Tree Wisdom 5/29/13

Shade Tree Wisdom 5/29/13


I was re-reading the story about young Joseph whose brothers had sold him to traders who sold him to Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh, who used him as a house servant. I wonder whether he cried himself to sleep at night.

Here he was, the favored son of a wealthy man, suddenly working as a servant¸ unable to understand orders, getting yelled at and maybe often beaten for making mistakes. It probably took a while before he was even anything like comfortable.

And still we read, “The Lord blessed the Egyptians house for Joseph’s sake.” Gen.39,5  But soon his mistress cast a lustful eye on him and tempted him. He fled the house, was accused, and thrown into prison by his master.v.20  “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy and gave him favor in the eyes of the keeper of the prison” v.21.

You know the story. How Joseph ended up as the one who served Egypt and save grain for the lean years and when he met his brothers when they came to buy grain, he told them, “It was not you that sent me hither, but God.” 45,8.

The most telling passage in the entire story is its ending when Joseph says, “As for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” Gen.50,20.

It reminds me to look for such passages when reading your bible. BUT GOD, how comforting that sounds. For it tells us that God always is present, even in our deepest troubles and hardest situations. Here are several such promising words. Romans 5, 7-8; Ps. 49,15; 1 Cor. 2, 9-10. Ps. 73, 26.

How can it be that you’re involved, with such a one as me?

Because His promise to me, “I will be with you, even to the end of the world.” And in every situation. Bless His Holy name.

GPD 5/29/13