Joseph, God Planned It: Part 2 - Diamond in the Mud
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The Rightness of Joseph's Life
At seventeen years old, Joseph was tasked with tending his father's flocks alongside his half-brothers. During this first exposure to working with them, Joseph witnessed behavior so shocking that he felt compelled to report it to his father Jacob. His brothers were an extraordinarily wicked group - guilty of murder, incest, hatred, envy, enslaving their brother, lying, and immorality as recorded in Genesis chapters 34-38.
While some critics have accused Joseph of being a tattletale, he actually displayed integrity by reporting serious misconduct that affected his father's flocks and family reputation. Joseph had a responsibility to inform Jacob about his sons' evil deeds. This teaches us an important lesson about discernment - knowing when speaking up is essential versus when to remain quiet. Integrity means doing the right thing despite personal cost. It would have been easier for Joseph to cover up his brothers' actions, but he chose truth over convenience.
The Placement of Joseph's Life
The family dynamics were complex, with Jacob showing clear favoritism toward Joseph. Scripture tells us that "Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons" (Genesis 37:3). Jacob should have known better, having experienced the damaging effects of favoritism in his own childhood home where his mother favored him while his father preferred his brother Esau.
However, Jacob's special treatment of Joseph went beyond mere favoritism. By giving Joseph a distinctive multi-colored robe reaching to his hands and ankles, Jacob was designating him as the future head of the household. This elaborate garment identified its wearer as the clan chieftain and was only worn by those in authority. It signaled that Joseph would receive a double portion of inheritance and that his brothers would report to him rather than Jacob.
This elevation created intense jealousy among Joseph's older brothers. The text repeatedly emphasizes their growing hatred, noting they "could not speak peacefully to him" (Genesis 37:4). The Hebrew word for hatred here indicates complete detestation and rejection of relationship.
The Hope and Hatred in Joseph's Life
God began speaking to Joseph through two significant prophetic dreams. In the first dream, sheaves of grain belonging to his brothers bowed down to Joseph's sheaf. The second dream depicted the sun, moon, and eleven stars - representing his father, mother and brothers - all bowing before him. These weren't ordinary dreams but divine visions that would sustain Joseph through future trials.
Joseph appears to have shared these dreams out of genuine amazement rather than pride or boasting. However, they further inflamed his brothers' hatred. This illustrates an important truth - when we faithfully serve God, we shouldn't be surprised to face opposition. As Jesus said, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18).
Joseph's life demonstrates what God can accomplish despite circumstances that seem to hinder His work. Whether dealing with issues of purity, jealousy over others' success, or disappointment over unrealized dreams, we must remain submitted to God's plan. Our temporal struggles fade in eternal perspective when we remember Christ's sacrifice makes us righteous before a holy God.
Our true freedom comes in allowing Jesus to transform our hearts - enabling us to rejoice in others' blessings rather than resenting them, to forgive those who wrong us, and to find contentment in God's purposes even when they differ from our expectations. Through Christ, God can take our broken lives and make them whole, creating supernatural joy even amid difficult circumstances.