“Now when they saw him (Joseph) afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. 19 Then they said to one another, “Look, this dreamer is coming! 20 Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!” 21 But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, “Let us not kill him.” 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father. 23 So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colours that was on him. 24 Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it.” Genesis 37:18-24 NKJV
Father,
Joseph, a spoiled son, not the first born, but a favourite of his aged father. Not the youngest, that was Benjamin, who sadly reminded Jacob of Rachel who died giving birth to him (Genesis 35:16-18). Joseph who was a dreamer, a talker and who seemed to be saying he would be better than all of them one day. That everyone would bow down to him (Genesis 37:7). And the brothers were fed up of his dreams, jealous of their Fathers doting on him, and conspired to have revenge. Perhaps they could not bear the thought it might come true! But enough to do murder?!
Reuben was the one to speak up and planned to rescue him. But alas before he could do so, Judah the eldest and the rest of the brothers took him out of the pit and sold him into slavery. But for You God it could have been another dead end in slavery. Or a story of a life of servitude and never heard of again. Instead his life reads better than a Hollywood thriller. Sold to the best family, rising to top spot, treachery from lusting wife, prison. Raising to trustee and helping fellow prisoners. Understanding dreams. Being forgotten and then remembered by parolee. Being top manager by receiving understanding and wisdom about dreams from You.
And You enabled Him to keep going in the terrible times and behave wisely in the good times. Because he was willing. He may not have understood but he was willing to listen and watch out for Your opportunities. May I do likewise.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 21st January 2026
Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Singing if my way is clear,
Praying if the path be drear;
If in danger for Him call;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting Him while life shall last,
Trusting Him till earth be past;
Till within the jasper wall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Lyrics: Edgar Page.