HIS GLORY WITNESSED: JOSEPH WENT FROM PRISON TO PROMOTION #1

HIS GLORY WITNESSED:

                JOSEPH AND HIS DREAM: FROM PRISON TO PROMOTION.

  HOPE DEFFERED (DELAYED) #1

“…Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren … Now Joseph had a dream …There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” …….  Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46). 

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HOPES, PRAYERS, and DREAMS deferred (delayed), after, many days, weeks, months, or years, can eventually begin to fade, waver, or die altogether. “…Hope deferred  (delayed) makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life…” (Proverbs 13:12 NASB). “…Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around…” (Proverbs 13:12 MSG).

 “…The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10 KJV).

Delay can turn seconds into minutes; minutes into hours; hours into days; days into weeks; weeks into months; and months into years.

 Delay is the BIGGEST killer of HOPE, of PRAYER, and of DREAMS. Remember Mary and Martha? “…When he (Jesus) heard, therefore that he (their brother, Lazarus) was SICK, he abode two…[more]… days in the same place where he was…” (John 11:6 KJV).

Jesus DELAYED his time of arrival to Martha and Mary’s situation. Jesus decided to STAY where he was instead of coming immediately to their rescue as THEY THOUGHT he should have. “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV).

Lazarus’ sickness was an emergency to his sisters. Martha and Mary may have been desperate for Jesus’ presence, but he chose to delay his coming. “…he (Lazarus) was SICK, [but Jesus]… abode two…[more]… days in the same place where he was…” (John 11:6 KJV).

We consider something DELAYED or maybe even TOO LATE when someone doesn’t arrive or something doesn’t happen on OUR time table. “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV).

 DELAY, therefore, can cause disappointment, on the part, of the person or people waiting for THE ONE who is DELAYED, especially if it seems to be a matter of life or death. “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV).

Interestingly, the story SAYS Jesus was DELAYED on purpose. He said, “…I am glad for your sakes (Mary, Martha, & his disciples) that I was not there (when Lazarus died), to the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV).

Whether, Mary, Martha, or  his disciples agreed or not, Jesus had a reason for his DELAY,

DELAY often requires waiting beyond a perceived or imagined period of time. Martha and Mary, most likely, waited for Jesus to show up during Lazarus’ sickness,  or after his physical death, or come to the funeral arrangements, or the service, or the burial, or at least, the repast. “…THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV). “…For the vision [is] yet FOR AN APPOINTED TIME, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, WAIT FOR IT; because IT WILL SURELY COME, it will not tarry….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).

“… They that WAIT UPON the LORD shall renew [their] strength…” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV).  “…WAIT ON the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I say, on the LORD…” (Psalms 27:14 KJV). “…The LORD [is] good unto them that WAIT FOR HIM…” (Lamentations 3:25 KJV).

The HEART CRIES OUT, with disappointment and sadness DURING GOD”S periods of DELAY. “…Hope deferred  (delayed) makes the heart sick, …” (Proverbs 13:12 NASB). “…Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick…” (Proverbs 13:12 MSG). “…How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” (Psalms 13:1 NASB.“…Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God… (Psalms 40:17 NASB). “…I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God…” (Psalms 69:3 KJV).

A DELAY forces you to go through and endure unexpected events and experiences: a sickness, a death, a funeral, a burial, and repast. Job said: “...though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV).

 Hope, prayers, and dreams are seriously challenged when you DON’T SEE the witness of God’s glory when you thought, for sure, you would. Lazarus got sick and died; what else was there to hope, pray, or dream about? “…And in the PROCESS of time IT CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).  

JOSEPH’S DREAM was DELAYED too. It took 13 years before Joseph SAW God’s promise to make him ruler, fulfilled. “…Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren … Now Joseph had a dream …There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” …….  Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt” (Genesis 37: 2, 5-14, 41:37-46).

Before God’s PROMISE, to make Joseph a ruler was fulfilled, Joseph became a slave and a prisoner. “…[But]… in the PROCESS of time … [what God promised]… CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).

Did being a slave or prisoner STOP the promises of God upon Joseph’s life? No, it doesn’t matter what you go through NOTHING can STOP the PROMISES of God upon your life. “...God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it!” (Numbers 23:20 NLT). “…As many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:2 NASB).  “…Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you believe (trust in me, depend upon me, and cooperate with my word), you will see the glory of God (his presence and goodness in your life)?..." (John 11:40 KJV).

Martha and Mary EXPERIENCED and endured Lazarus’ sickness and death. “… [Lazarus] … whom thou lovest is sick…” (John 11:3 KJV). “…Lazarus is dead…” (John 11:14 KJV).

Jesus SAID: “…this sickness is NOT unto death, but for the glory of God…” (John 11:4 KJV). However, “…Lazarus is dead…” (John 11:14 KJV).

Remember Job who experienced and endured the loss of his family, his wealth, and his health. “One day when Job’s ….donkeys were grazing nearby …the Sabeans attacked and made off with them.…another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and …another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and …yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV). . “…Satan….smote Job with boils from the sole of his feet unto his crown…” (Job 2:7 KJV).

Then there were the Hebrew Boys who experienced and endured public controversy and persecution for standing up for their faith. They were eventually thrown into a fiery furnace. “…Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. … Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3).

Jesus who, also, experienced and endured mistreatment, physical abuse, and crucifixion, is another example of DELAY. “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands….Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away…” (John 19:1-16 KJV).

And Joseph, the subject of this chapter, experienced and endured mistreatment from his brothers, being thrown into an empty, dark pit, being sold as a slave, and eventually going to prison. “…And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit ... And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it … Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt…” (Genesis 37).

In every story there was DELAY, BEFORE, they SAW the witness of the Glory of God. “…After …[certain ones] … suffered … [or were delayed for]… a little while, [God had plans to]… restore, support, and strengthen [them], and …  place [them]... on a firm foundation..” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).

“…After …. [they] … have suffered ... [or have been delayed for]… a little while…”  (1 Peter 5:10 NLT). There will be “a little while” or a delay AND there will be an “after.”

DELAYS, no matter how severe or LONG, are temporary and the bible says, “…the suffering …[or delays]… of this present time ARE NOT worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us…” (Romans 8:18 KJV). “…For our light affliction …[or delays], …which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…” (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV).

BIBLICAL PROOF OF GOD’S GLORY IN MARY & MARTHA’S STORY: “….Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV).

BIBLICAL PROOF  OF GOD’S GLORY IN JOB’S STORY: “…The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: … So Job died, being old, and FULL of days...” (Job 42:12-17 KJV).

BIBLICAL PROOF OF GOD’S GLORY IN THE HEBREW BOYS STORY: “…Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon” (Daniel 3 KJV).

BIBLCAL PROOF OF GOD’S GLORY IN JESUS’ STORY: Jesus is “highly exalted” with a “name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). In addition,“…at ...the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father...” (Philippians 2:10-11 KJV).

BIBLICAL PROOF OF GOD’S GLORY IN JOSEPH’S STORY: “Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. …“ You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”…So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”  … Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt…” (Genesis 41 NIV).

Job, Joseph, Jesus, the Hebrew Boys, and Martha and Mary ALL had to actually live through and experience extremely challenging DELAYS. “…After [THEY had]… suffered … [or been delayed for]… a little while…” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).

BUT WHY? What should you know about DELAYS? 1. DELAYS have a divine purpose. 2. DELAYS are about God’s love for you and NOT some kind of punishment. 3. DELAYS are NOT about God’s denial, condemnation, or deprivation of you or your HOPES, PRAYERS, or DREAMS. 4. DELAYS are God-approved. 5. DELAYS are meant to strengthen your trust in God, your dependency upon his power, and your continual cooperation with his instructions. 6. DELAYS are NEVER about your will, but God’s will. . “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit, may DELAY his manifested arrival, in your situation, on purpose, but he hasn’t forsaken you. Even when it appears he is DELAYED, he is STILL with you and STILL being GOOD to you. “…I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). “…Thou (God) are GOOD and doest GOOD…” (Psalm 119:68 KJV). “…Great is his love toward us...” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “… “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).

“…Behold, I am with … [you] and will keep … [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

What was the REASON for Jesus’ DELAY in Mary and Martha’s story?“….To the intent, [they]... may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). Didn’t Mary and Martha already have a level of faith?

Many of God’s people think “I BELIEVE” and therefore have arrived at the level of faith that is necessary to give God glory in their lives. Yet, raising Lazarus from the dead was intended to propel the sisters into a HIGHER level of faith by witnessing, first-hand, a MIRACLE (a witness of God’s GLORY). “..This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him…” (John 2:11 KJV).

Jesus CAME to earth that MAN would believe. “…[Jesus]…came for a witness…that ALL men through HIM might BELIEVE…” (John 1:7 KJV).

However, “... the devils also believe...” (James 2:19 KJV). “...You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror...” (James 2:19 NLT). A “profession” of belief is not the SAME as a “trusting” belief that SAVES.

“...For I say unto you, That except your righteousness (demonstration of belief) shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven...” (Matthew 5:10 KJV).

“...Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law (Holy Word) and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom...” (Matthew 5:19-20 MSG).

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward (religious), but are within (the heart) full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV).

“…He  (Jesus) knew what was in each person’s heart…” (John 2:24-25 NLT).

“...hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup (religious behavior) and of the platter, but within (in the heart) they are full of extortion and excess...” (Matthew 23:13-33 KJV).

“...hypocrites!... Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. ..” (Matthew 23:13-33 KJV).

“…This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me…” (Mark 7:6 KJV).   “… Many deceivers have gone out into the world…” (2 John 1:7 NLT).

“…If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person IS A LIAR and is not living in the truth…” (1 John 2:4 NLT).  “…If we “SAY” that we have fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS (like demon), WE LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6 KJV).  “... the devils also believe...” (James 2:19 KJV).

“... except your righteousness (your demonstration of belief) shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven...” (Matthew 5:10 KJV).

DELAYS serve the purpose of SPIRITUAL growth that develops a GREATER level of FAITH. “….To the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). Experience is STILL the BEST teacher.

 Jesus KNEW one ACT of God’s power would build and prepare his people  for the NEXT level of FAITH. “….and many more BELIEVED “because” of his own words…we BELIEVE, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and KNOW that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world…” (John 4:41-42). “…I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me…” (John 11:41-42 KJV).

Martha and Mary believed that their brother would rise again in the resurrection on the last day, wasn’t that enough? No, Jesus intended to EMPOWER them to exercise a GREATER and more POWERFUL level of FAITH. “….To the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV).

“…These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God (JESUS, his WORD)...” (1 John 5:13 KJV).