“What and if are two words as non-threatening
as words can be. But put them together side by side and they have the power to
haunt you for the rest of your life.
What if. What if? What if?”
Sometimes, it’s not just the two words put together, but the
way we say them.
“But God…”
I’ve been recently very good at saying that phrase in a
whining tone…like a frustrated child that didn’t get what he wanted.
But this week, I have been reading again about the life of
Joseph in Genesis, and have been amazed at the way he repeatedly said this
phrase…without whining.
Here’s a quick recap on Joseph’s life in Genesis 37-51.
·
At 17 years old, Joseph has two dreams
predicting that in the future his family would bow to him.
·
His brothers hate him…they throw him into a pit and sell him into slavery.
·
He works for the Egyptian official Potiphar, and
is given much responsibility because “the LORD was with him” (39:2,3).
·
Potiphar’s wife comes onto him…he refuses her
advances because he doesn’t want to sin against God, and is, yet again, thrown
into a pit. (this time a dungeon…but it is the same
Hebrew word “bor”)
·
He, again, is given much responsibility (this
time in the jail), because people noticed “the LORD was with him” (39:21,23)
·
Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer are thrown in
prison, together they have two dreams, and Joseph correctly interprets
them.
·
The cupbearer, although he had been asked to
remember Joseph, forgets him for 2 years.
·
Pharaoh has two dreams. Joseph is called “out of the pit” to
interpret them…and ends up becoming Pharaoh’s “right-hand man” and the second
most powerful man in Egypt. (Joseph is
now 30 years old – 41:46).
·
Seven years of plenty pass, and in those years
Joseph gets married, has two sons, collects grain, and stores up enough food to
help Egypt and the surrounding countries make it through the next seven years
of famine foretold in Pharaoh’s dream.
· During the seven years of famine, after Joseph
is 37 years old, he again sees his brothers…they do bow to him…and after a
period of testing, he brings them and his father to Egypt and helps them
survive the famine.
Whew! What a
story! Obviously, I left a lot out. And there are some amazing things within that
story if we only take a closer look. I
highlighted some of the words above to bring them out, but I would highly
recommend The Story of Joseph & Judah
by W.A. Gage & C. Barber for more study.
It’s really eye-opening.
Back to our phrase, “But God”…
Joseph could have EASILY used a whining tone when talking
with God during those years. He was
thrown in pits, wrongfully accused, and forgotten by people. And yet, he trusted God.
He could have committed adultery with Potiphar’s wife…but he
didn’t want to sin against God.
He probably could have tried to escape from prison if he really wanted to…he was in charge there.
He could have been frustrated with the fact that everyone
else’s dreams were almost immediately being fulfilled…but his weren’t for 20
years! (*Read what Joseph says in Genesis 41:32. Crazy.)
But in the midst of it, we see Joseph say some amazing
things:
1.
He recognized God as being all knowing.
a.
Genesis 41:16
“‘I cannot do it,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.’”
2.
He recognized God as One who has better plans.
a.
Genesis 45:8
“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father
to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.”
b.
Genesis 50:20
“You intended to harm me, but God
intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many
lives.”
3.
He recognized that God will always be there.
a.
Genesis 50:24 “Then Joseph said to his brothers,
‘I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid…”
You don’t hear Joseph use any whining. He is just amazed by the character of God…the
God who brought him through real trials, and used it all for good.
Was Joseph tempted to whine?
I’m sure he was. Am I tempted to
whine? Yes.
And though I may not be able to see 20 years
ahead in my life, I can definitely see 2000 years back.
Because of a cross 2000 years ago, I can have confidence like Joseph that God will always be here, He does have better plans, and I can trust that He knows all.
And my hope is that when I'm tempted to whine "but God" in the future, this verse will hit me square in the face:
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.” Romans 5:8
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