Isaiah 55:8 (New International Version, ©2010)
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
I remember the story of Jacob, the one that i want to share with you:
One of the reasons why Jacob loved Joseph more than he loved his other children is because Joseph was Rachel’s son. He fell in love with Rachel at first sight and worked very hard to win her hands. She was his first love and his true love. Laban, Rachel's faher, cheated him by giving Lea, Rachel's older sister after Jacob worked for him for 7 years. He had to work another 7 years in order to be able to marry her. They had to wait very long to have Joseph. Can you imagine how much he loved Joseph?
22 Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive. 23 She became pregnant and gave birth to a son and said, “God has taken away my disgrace.” 24 She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.” Genesis 30 : 22 - 24
He was so proud of Joseph when this boy grew up into a fine young man that he was closest to his heart.
Because he spent much time with this boy, he told him God’s promises to Abraham (his great grandfather), Isaac (his grandfather) and himself. Joseph was like a young strong eagle that was ready to accept God’s covenant and served Him. Didn't God Himself promise him that Joseph was to become a king one day (through his dreams).
One fine morning, he told Joseph to see his brothers at Sechem. He saw his beloved son leaving wearing the colorful robe made especially for him, a token of his love. He didn’t know that it was his last good bye, his last kiss, his last smile and his last blessing.
Evening came like other evenings. But this particular evening he became very restless when the children came home later than usual. He was shocked when they came home without Joseph. When they told him that he was killed by a wild beast, his heart was broken to pieces that night. The Bible said no one could comfort him. He said: “For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.” Genesis 37 : 35. It means he would mourn all his life and refused to be comforted even by an angel. He vowed and swore that he would mourn over Joseph as long as he lived. This is what He must have been thinking:
1. Why was God very cruel and let his beloved son be torn by a wild beast?
2. Why didn’t He protect him? Didn’t God have enough power to protect Joseph and kill the wild beast?
3. Joseph was only 17, why did God take him so young?
4. God was a liar because He didn't keep His promises to Joseph and him. Now Joseph was dead and those dreams wouldn’t come true. (Genesis 37 :6 - 10)
5. His faith dropped to the lowest point, he might not believe in God anymore.
6. He regretted sending Joseph out to Sechem alone and this regret brought grief, sorrow and agony.
7. Picturing a wild beast tearing up her son’s young flesh could drive him mad. He blamed himself every time he remembered him. He never stopped blaming himself and felt very stupid.
8. In grief, his heart was bleeding as he was living in great pain. Who could heal a broken heart of a father who lost his beloved son?
9. At that time, there was no means of communication like telephones or the internet. Joseph was cut off from Jacob's life completely. No news from him ever.
10. and hundreds of other WHYs.
We know what happened to Joseph from the Bible but Jacob did not know it. He had no slightest idea what God was doing in order to make his son a real king. But God was not upset to see Jacob complaining or was upset with Him. In the end He took him to see his son who had accomplished God's plans.
It's the same with us, if something happens, it happens for a reason. We may not understand it, but if we are faithful, we shall see a miracle at the end of every chapter of our life story.
May God bless you always!
Helen
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