Called by God: Joseph

“[Joseph] said to [his brothers], ‘Listen to this dream I had:  We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”  Genesis 37:6-7

Sometimes God uses an indirect revelation of a calling working through another person, life circumstances, or dreams. He also may use a progressive revelation of a calling, typically through hardship. Such was the case for Joseph, the eleventh son of Jacob [Israel].

Background
The twelve sons of Israel were born to four different mothers. Rachel, who was Joseph’s true love, was the mother of Joseph and his younger brother, Benjamin. Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, probably because he was the first-born son of Rachel. To symbolize his favored status, Israel gave Joseph a multicolored robe.

Joseph had two dreams. In the first, he saw 12 bundles of wheat and 11 of them bowed down to the twelfth one. It wasn’t hard to figure out that the brothers were the 11 bundles and Joseph was the one bowed down to. In the second dream, the sun, moon, and stars bowed down to Joseph. The dream clearly meant that the entire family, including Israel, would bow down to Joseph.

Response: Joseph’s brothers
Joseph’s brothers hated him and never spoke a kind word about him. They were jealous because Joseph was the favorite son. Once, when the brothers picked on Joseph, he told his father about it. Thereafter, the brothers hated him even more.

Finally, the brothers decided to kill Joseph. They kidnapped him and left him for dead in a hole in the ground. However, they later relented, and decided to sell Joseph into slavery to a traveling caravan on its way to Egypt.

Response: Joseph
Joseph had a series of misfortunes while in Egypt – he was falsely accused of rape, put in jail, and all but forgotten by a fellow inmate who promised to help him. But Joseph was faithful to God throughout these ordeals. And God was working behind the scenes to make Joseph the second in command of all Egypt. Through wise planning, Joseph saved many people from starvation, including his family. When his brothers traveled to Egypt to buy grain, they bowed down to Joseph, not knowing he was their brother. Later, when Israel also bowed down to him, Joseph’s dreams had come true.

Meaning

• God’s calling may be issued indirectly, not through a direct revelation by God.
• God sometimes reveals a calling through a dream.
• Others may reject you because of your calling, even those closest to you.
• God’s calling may involve pain, suffering, and hardship.
• God will fulfill His calling despite obstacles or your own immaturity.

Summary
God has a calling for every believer that He may issue as a direct revelation or an indirect revelation. Additionally, the calling may come as an immediate revelation or a progressive revelation. Through obedience, God will fulfill a believer’s calling.

Prayer
Lord, Guide me to fulfill my calling despite how very sinful and immature I can be at times.  Remove any obstacle in my path that I may do Your will.  Amen

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