I AM JOSEPH!

...when those who thought you have 
died hear you speak!

“I AM JOSEPH!” What a most shocking declaration! The original audience of this declaration were terrified and troubled on hearing it! It was like the land should open its mouth and swallow them before the speaker. Joseph was the speaker and his brothers were the audience. They never thought they could hear such statement from Joseph in their entire lifetime again. To them, the deal was signed, sealed and delivered a long time ago. To the best of their knowledge, the Joseph they knew had died under a great conspiracy of jealousy, hate and lie. To now see and hear Joseph speak again was for them the last thing to hear on earth. It was like seeing the ghost of a dead and long-buried man appearing to speak to them again.

The Genesis…

 “And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.  And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.  And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? Or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.  And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.  And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?  And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying. Gen 37:5-11 KJV”

That was the Genesis of the trouble of Joseph. At age seventeen, Joseph had a series of dreams which were given him of God. These dreams indicated Joseph was destined to a leadership role that would bring him to prominence, which would result in his being able to help many others. Joseph didn’t have the wisdom to keep his mouth shut and this got him in big trouble with his brethren. His dreams were not appreciated by them in the least. The Scripture says, they hated him the more for his dream. They became jealous and envious of him and were determined to get rid of him before his dream could find expression. There may have being a tint of spiritual pride in Joseph, although the Scripture does not plainly say this.

Joseph Was Pitted

One day Israel, the father, sent Joseph to check up on his brothers and report back how things were with the flocks. When the brothers saw Joseph coming, they conspired how to kill him in a way that would make it look like an accident. The oldest brother, Reuben, intervened and suggested they throw him in a nearby pit for a while. Thus Joseph was pitted. While Joseph’s brothers were discussing what to do with him, a Midianite camel train passed into view. Judah said, “Why don’t we sell Joseph to the Midianites?” Great idea! Chimed in the rest. So it was done. For twenty pieces of silver Joseph was sold into slavery (the same price for which Judas betrayed Jesus). This obviously, was God’s Sovereign Hand at work preventing them from killing him and consequently forever aborted the hope Joseph had in his dream.

After the transaction was completed and Joseph was set into the slavery motion of no-return, their evil and seared consciences were appeased. They confidently believe in their heart that they would never set their eyes on Joseph again, much less hear him speak. To them, they have succeeded in silencing forever the voice of the dreamers and his dreams. The next agenda was to make their father also believe that he would never live to see his son Joseph nor his dream become a reality in the limelight of public glare. In order to achieve this, they killed an innocent ram and dipped Joseph’s clothe of many colours in it to convince their father that Joseph his son had been killed by a wild beast and he should never hope to see him again. Being deceived, Joseph’s father received the news of Joseph’s “death” with much sorrow and anguish of heart. He lamented Joseph’s death and buried him in his heart against all hopes of resurrection. And as far as Joseph’s brothers were concerned, Joseph would never speak to them again and his dream also would never become a reality. So life for them continued…

Joseph Was Potted

In Egypt, at the slave auction, a man named Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard, purchased Joseph as his slave. It wasn’t long after that Potiphar realized God blessed everything Joseph touched. So he made Joseph his chief administrative assistant, and turned over all his business affairs to Joseph to run them. Joseph was a handsome young man and Potiphar’s wife began making eyes at Joseph and pressed him to sleep with her. Joseph protested, “But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen 39:8-9 KJV). But she grabbed him and insisted he go to bed with her. Instead, Joseph pulled away to flee. She grabbed his garment and tore it from him- and Joseph ran out of the house. That night Potiphar’s wife told her husband that Joseph had tried to rape her. This made Potiphar extremely angry and he ordered Joseph put into prison. “There in prison, they hurt his feet with fetters, and placed his neck in an iron collar…” (Psalm 105: 18 tlb). Through the lying intrigue of Potiphar’s wife, he was potted! Joseph’s godly refusal eventually landed Joseph in the maximum prison of Egypt. Joseph became further driven away from the hope of seeing his dream becoming a reality. He remained buried away in the obscurity of the prison jail against all hopes of deliverance!

In the heart of Jacob, Joseph was long dead and forgotten. In fact, Jacob himself later confessed “I had not thought to see thy face”. To his brothers, Joseph had been sold into the obscurity of slavery and oppression. And to the wife of Potiphar, Joseph would be left to die serving in the maximum prison of Egypt. None of these categories of people ever expected to see or hear Joseph speak again. And as for Joseph himself, I doubt if there is any modicum of hope left within him. Everything around him spoke to the contrary!

But to the surprise of all, Joseph didn’t die! The God of his dreams saw to it that despite all that Joseph went through, his life was preserved in order for his dream to see the light of day. As Joseph went from the horrible pit to the strange and unfriendly hands of the merchants of Ishmael to the tempting house of Potiphar and into the torture of the prison, God ruled in the affairs of his life to the extent that He suffered no man to take his life.  The life of Joseph is a sure testimony to the truth “that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, to them that are called according to His purpose.”

Joseph Was Putted

About ten years after Joseph was committed to prison, two of the inmates had dreams. Joseph had instant interpretations for both of them. Even in that hell-hole of a prison, after so many years, the gift of God was still working in Joseph. How amazing! I pray for you: in spite of the challenges you face, may the grace and the giftings of God in your life remain potently alive! It was this unique, faithful stewardship of God’s gifts that would ultimately lead to his promotion and exaltation.

Two years passed. Then one day the word spread through the palace that the Pharaoh had received several dreams that troubled him greatly. Because no one could interpret them to the Pharaoh’s satisfaction, he was threatened to kill all the magicians and sages of Egypt. The butler, one of the two inmates whose dreams Joseph interpreted suddenly remembered Joseph. Perhaps Joseph could interpret the Pharaoh’s dreams. As a result of the Pharaoh’s for an audience, Joseph was bathed, shaved, dressed appropriately and thrust into Pharaoh’s presence. Upon hearing the dreams, Joseph immediately gave the interpretation. It meant seven years of abundant harvest followed by seven years of drought and famine. Joseph also gave the Pharaoh fourteen-year plan of action that would minimize the impact of the coming calamity.

After giving the interpretation, the Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph, he made him second in command of all Egypt. Only the Pharaoh himself would have greater authority. “Then Pharaoh placed his own signet ring on Joseph’s finger as a token of his authority, and dressed him in beautiful clothing and placed the royal gold chain about his neck and declared, ‘See, I have placed you in charge of all the land of Egypt’” (Gen. 41:41).

Finally it happened! Joseph was “putted” on the throne of Egypt. His long marriage to pain, loneliness, confinement, chains and irons was over. His day had come- the day God’s word of promise was finally beginning to be fulfilled.

Joseph finally moved from prison to palace to become the prime minister of Egypt! What a wonderful work of God. God, who never lights a candle to hide it under a bushel has finally positioned Joseph on the lampstand of the throne of Egypt where his dream could find expression. God called for a famine across the globe and made Egypt the food basket of the nations. All other nations had to resort to Egypt for help in order to survive the harrowing famine. Joseph was now the Lord of the land and chief manager of the food resources in Egypt. It was this famine that led the siblings of Joseph to Egypt to buy food for their survival.

They never expected to meet Joseph again in their lifetime. He was the least expected person by then to be the lord of the land. For how would an ordinary slave turn to be the ruler of the free citizens? That was an unimaginable possibility. But the things that are impossible for men are not impossible with God. With God, all things are possible! Because it was his will and counsel to make Joseph a ruler of nations and of his brethren, He made it possible.

So when Joseph brethren came to Egypt to buy food, they had to pass through the prime minister who was now their supposedly dead and forgotten brother. As they bowed and worshipped at his feet, they couldn’t recognise him again. He has turn to become another man they never expected. The name, appearance, status, paraphernalia and worship around him were irreconcilable with the Joseph they knew long ago. To them, Joseph was long dead and forgotten. They could not recognise him but Joseph recognise them very well.

As he saw them bowed down at his feet and called him “my lord” while they referred to themselves as his servants, Joseph remembered in a jiffy the dream he had long time ago and declared unto his brethren, “ I AM JOSEPH!”

“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph…And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt” Genesis 45: 3-4 KJV

“…And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.”

I can only imagine what a scene that would be! To me, this is the whole essence of Joseph. This is what makes Joseph’s story most exciting to me. This is what made the end of the matter better than the beginning thereof. The vision of Joseph spoke at the end! Let me pause to declare a word of prophetic prayer for you:

• In the name of Jesus Christ, you will speak!
• In the name of Jesus Christ, your vision will speak!
• Where the enemies never expected to hear your voice again you will speak!
• Where the enemies never expected you to appear, you will show up!
• What the enemies have said you will never become you will become!
• You will appear in purpose and fulfillment!
• You will not die before the day of your showing!
• Your God-given vision will see the light of day!
• You will come out of the dungeon into the glorious liberty of God’s children!
• God will set a table for you in the PRESENCE of your enemies!
• You enemies will lickk the dust of your feet!
• Your story will end in ALLELUIA!

“I AM JOSEPH” was not just a mere declaration. It was the voice of Joseph’s vision speaking in the end.

“I AM JOSEPH” is a reminder of the faithfulness of God in keeping His promises.

“I AM JOSEPH” is a testimony to Joseph’s brothers that the darkness cannot comprehend the light and the light they thought they have quenched is shining bright!

“I AM JOSEPH” is to strike a chord in the heart of Joseph’s brother that what they meant for evil God meant for good!

“I AM JOSEPH”, what a testimony that God is unstoppable!

Just like Joseph, Samson also had similar experience: Delilah never thought he would rise again. Having betrayed him into the hands of his enemies, and his two eyes gouged out and put in the Philistine’s prison, nobody expected that his voice would ever be heard in victory again. But Samson’s hairs grew again

Lazarus was dead and buried against all hope s of resurrection. But at the intervention of Jesus-the Resurrection and the Life, Lazarus rose again. I declare to you once more, YOU WILL RISE AGAIN!

The Pharisees and the enemies of Jesus believed they had finished Jesus by death. Little did they know that the same death is what God had foreordained for His eventual victory over death! For “If they knew, they wouldn’t have crucified the LORD of glory! Jesus arose from the dead and through death destroyed him who has the power of death! Halleluiah!

Dear reader…

• When men and women hold on to the central reality- Christ- they toughen, rather than wilt, under adversity.

• Nothing can work successfully against us in the long ter when we have God on our side. Nothing.

• The silence you experienced when your hopes are shattered and your plans delayed or destroyed may be God’s way of preparing you for the next act. So hold steady. God never abandons His children, and He takes a Father’s interest in everything we do. He hurts in our hurts- never forgets that.

• It is true there are limitations and matters that will thwart us in this fallen world. But the exciting thing is that in Christ we can overcome even the things that thwart us. With God’s help, if we can’t get through something, we can get around it. How wonderful to have a faith that can take the thwarting and turn it to advantage also.

GOD AT WORK!

I find it extremely interesting to note the Bible says, “God sent Joseph as a slave to Egypt to save his people from starvation” (Psalm 105:17). God sent Joseph? I thought his brothers contrived to kill him and sell him as a slave. Yes, that is the story as a man saw it. But from the divine viewpoint, God was there all the time- working all things together for good for Joseph and the chosen family. If only we could understand this when trials, rejection, misunderstanding, and injustice come to our life. God is in charge. If we are not guilty of wrongdoing, and are not suffering for willful disobedience- we can know that He will make all the things that seem to be against us, work out for our good and the good of others.