How long does it take for a dream to become reality?

A great rabbi would shrug his or her shoulders and quizzically answer…"it depends.”  Dreams. Family. Challenges. Is God at work? We begin a new series Sunday that will focus on the Old Testament story of Joseph, son of Jacob. (Genesis 37-50) When someone other than God is the main character for thirteen full chapters of the bible, I believe it is important that we pay attention and discover things we may not have known were even included in the bible! We have so much to learn from these vibrant, rich characters involved in this story. Here are several things that I believe are important as we migrate through this text:

1. The purposes of God are at work in hidden and unnoticed ways.

2. As God works, we can discover how individuals and families can influence nations and empires toward God’s greater purpose.

3. God is at work in concrete ways of daily life regardless of our attitude or actions.

4. There is always a bigger story unfolding—it sometimes takes a while to recognize and comprehend it.

5. Joseph has no claim to the Messianic promise or line but he acts in a way that reveals Messianic qualities and gives us a concrete example to follow.

6. Joseph collaborates with God, the People of God and outsiders to live into the Vision of Genesis 12:2-3, “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

The Promise.

God promised Abram that he would become a great nation. Interestingly, God did not say,”I will make you a great empire.” What we may discover in characters like Joseph or even Nehemiah, Daniel or Esther is their influence and how their influence changes entire empires for the good. We could even discover something revelatory about the character of God and the individuals chosen to lead during especially challenging times. Being 'second in command' of vast empires takes amazing savvy and wisdom. It also requires the greater work of God—often in hidden and unnoticed ways. God works in public, miraculous and inclusive ways to proclaim His salvation purpose, revealing His heart and character. God is good—all the time. God saves everybody and He does it through the actions of His people. Ultimate procurement of salvation and guarantee of eternity is fulfilled in Christ. But, there are many salvation stories included along the way to Calvary that include “Regular Joes."

I stumbled over the idea of Jospeh’s specialty in the midst of his family—the dreams, the coat of many colors and his rise to fame. I discovered my interpretation was probably more of a projection of myself onto Joseph than the actual truth about him. I like to be special—or at least thought of as special. Joseph is special, but in a way that helps us discover God’s greater purpose. Mainly, God wants all of us with Him forever and salvation is no joke—whether spiritually saving my soul through the work and action of Jesus Christ or saving an entire empire. In this case, from a great famine in the land. Joseph’s story is about feeding people. And so much more. I can honestly imagine Jesus standing on both sides of the Galilee feeding thousands of Jews and Gentiles alike. Everything we see Jesus do in the New Testament has already been done in the Old Testament. He confirms and affirms God and His character every time. Jesus states this clearly, "I and the Father are one."(John 10:30)

What can we learn from Joseph?

Joseph is part of a real family. He’s an example we can learn from and we can apply the wisdom to our own lives. He’s one of many included within a blended family. He’s got a blood brother and he also has step-brothers. Their father Jacob favored his two sons of his beloved wife Rachael, Joseph and Benjamin. We will discover that paternal ‘favor’ worked against the grain for the rest of the family and created more trouble than they ever bargained for. Interestingly, we will also discover that paternal favor worked to the good later on. I hope you discover, as I did, that God does eventually work all things together for good. (Romans 8:28) Timing is everything. Joseph’s story may help reveal to you how the same God who worked with Joseph is at work in your life—in the mundane, the daily routine and even within the tragic and horrific experiences, too. I look forward to learning with you this new season.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV

Pastor Jen