As I read the account of Joseph’s childhood in Genesis I wanted to warn him. If your dream is going to cause angst from your brothers, why tell them? I’m all about keeping the peace. Why stir up resentment? The guy was the youngest. We read that he was attractive enough that a woman faked an attempt to attack her. He went to jail for resisting. I think Joseph was impeachably honest to a fault. He keeps charging through a series of misfortunes but is unwavering in his confidence in God and the future God has planned. Joseph seemed naive and arrogant but was his confidence in God or in himself? I don’t know, but God had Joseph in the palm of His hand. The outcome was securing the promise to God’s chosen people.
Had Joseph kept the early dreams a secret, then his brothers would not have sold him into slavery. Then Pharaoh would not have assigned him to the office of control. I think God can use our faults. Whether Joseph was foolish or naive the outcome was good.
Many years ago I wrote about a man who I tried to rescue. I was driving out of his cul-de-sac and circled back because it looked like he was lying next to his car. He was elderly and had fallen and probably bumped his head in the process. I held him in my arms and then a rescue car came. I had never met him but knew he was a recluse. I learned that he died that day. His name was Joe. I don’t know his story but I spent some critical time with him. I can’t even remember if we spoke other than words of comfort. I hope he is in Heaven. I know this is another story but I had titled that writing, ‘Oh No Joe’. This one was supposed to be, ‘Joseph, Be Quiet’. Which do you prefer?
I do find great comfort in the account of Joseph because he faced hard things, kept going, and God took care of the rest. Take comfort and read Gen 30:23, his birth, then skip to Gen 37, where the plot thickens, then he dies in the last verse of the book.