Praise the Lord, Grace & Peace great people of our “Great God”…JESUS!

Life entails a series of events, some joyful, some full of sorrow, some with various types of disappointments. The preacher Solomon summarized it quite well in Ecc. 3:1-8 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. Yes we as children of God are going to experience some or all of these seasons in this life. Regardless who we experience it with, i.e. close love ones, family members, so called friends who prove to be instruments of Satan; but we know according to Rom. 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Hence I indulged myself in the study of Joseph’s life and how intentional it was, because it was ordained by God! In this story of inspiration, we see the Divine Providence of God! Therefore for this Golden Nugget I would like to provoke my premise thought “They Meant It for Evil But God Meant It for My GOOD” My premise scriptures to provoke further gospel provocation are as follows:

Gen. 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

Gen. 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

Gen 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Gen. 41:39-44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

Providence can be defined as; divinely ordained events and outcomes. Hence we see in Joseph the exaltation of a man who had been in the pit; and, at the same time, is  brought out, by a number of subordinate objects. It was through this providence that the thoughts, and hearts of many were revealed, and Joseph was to be exalted through these events.

Psa. 105: 13-22 “When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people; He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes; Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.

My brothers and sisters to me there is not in the scriptures a more perfect and beautiful type of Christ than Joseph. Whether we view Jesus Christ as the object of the Father’s love, or the object of the envy of His brothers, His humiliation, His sufferings, His death, His exaltation, and His glory! We most definitely can see Christ typified in Joseph.

In Gen. chapter 37 we experience Joseph’s dreams, and we see that the dreams brought more enmity between Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was the object of his father’s love, and he had a special place which entailed different levels of communion with him, a level which his brothers had not experienced! My brothers and sisters many of us are hated by many because of the special relationship we have with Jesus Christ. They, like Joseph’s brothers did not have; nor have fellowship in the love of God. It is because of this they could not fathom the thought that Joseph would be exalted above them! This was a true representation of the Jews in Christ’s day, for in John 1:11 “He came to His own and his own received him not.”  Isa. 53:2 He had “no form nor comeliness in their eyes.“ They would not recognize Him as the Son of God, nor king of Israel. Their eyes were not open to behold “His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” They could not embrace Him because they hated Him.

Now, in Joseph’s case, we see that he, in no wise, held back this testimony in consequence of his brother’s denial of his first dream. Gen. 37:5 “And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brethren; and they hated him yet the more”….”And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brethren.” Joseph dream was rendered by a divine revelation; but it also was a testimony that brought Joseph down to the pit. If Joseph had kept his mouth shut concerning his revelation from God it probably would have spared him, but Joseph declared the providence of God by speaking truth, and because of this they hated him even more! My brothers and sisters when the favor of Christ upon us, it has to be accompanied with many test, trials, and hatred, experienced by those who have not chose to matriculate to the higher call in God! As my father in the gospel Pastor Claude Allen Sr. and the older saints would say “Water always seeks its own level” GOLDEN NUGGET!

It is because of your anointing that you will receive this in every facet of your life, especially from close love ones, family, so called friends, etc. David truly expressed his sentiments concerning this in the Psalm 55. Hence, in Gen. 37:18 “And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near to them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer comes; come now, therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit; and we will say, some evil beast has devoured him; and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” These words also remind us of the parable in Matt. 22 “But, last of all, he sent to them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir, come let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.” Saints, God sent His own Son into the world with this thought, “They will reverence my son;” but, the wickedness in man’s heart had no reverence for the “well beloved” of the Father. They cast him out. Earth and heaven also had an issue in reference to Jesus Christ; and they still do. Please note that Man crucified Him; but God raised Him from the dead. Man placed Him on a cross between two thieves; but God set Him at His own right hand in the heavens. Man gave Him the very lowest place on earth; but God gave Him the very highest place in heaven, with overwhelming glory and majesty…Glory be to God! GOLDEN NUGGET!

Just like Joseph we must bear witness to the truth, by witnessing a good confession, not keeping anything back that the Lord has ordained us to speak! Our own Lord and savior Jesus Christ could only speak the truth because He was the absoluteness of truth. The example of His life testified to the truth. Jesus’ testimony was answered on man’s part, by the cross, the vinegar, and the soldier’s spear. Jesus not only came as “the truth,” but was the perfect expression of the love of the Father; for John 1:17 conveys that “grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” He was the full disclosure to man what God was. Hence man is left entirely without excuse. He came and showed God to man, and proved how man hated God with a perfect hatred. It is so amazing how Jesus fullest exhibition of divine love was answered by mans fullest exhibition of human hatred. We are able to see this in the cross; this was also foreshadowed when Joseph was cast into the pit by his brothers!

When we view Joseph in the pit, and in the prison, we are allowed afterwards to experience him as ruler over all the land of Egypt. We see the difference between the thoughts of God and the thoughts of men; and so when we look at the cross, and at “the throne of His majesty in the heavens,” we see the same thing. Those who say they see, have no excuse. I truly believe that confessed blindness is not the problem, but professed sight is! This truly is a solemn principle to those in this age who profess so much. Hence I believe that the permanence of sin is connected with the mere profession to see. A man who is blind, and knows it, can have his eyes opened; but what about those who think they see, when in essence they really don’t. Lord please break up their fallow ground!

How apparent it is that man had nothing to do with this! How revealing it is when we read the latter part of the first chapter of Matthew, revealing “God manifest in the flesh!” Man could of never devised such a genealogy. It was entirely divine, and no spiritual person can read it without seeing it as a blessed exhibition of divine grace, given by divine inspiration in the gospel according to Matthew (which portrays Jesus Christ as the Ultimate King.) The whole premise was to exalt the one whom men had rejected. It is because of this example my brothers and sisters that all of our perceived negative circumstances are designed as ministerial aides in the development of God’s divine purposes in us.

Like us today Joseph had to experience many circumstances prior to being exalted. When we read in Genesis chapter 39 Satan tries to use Potiphar’s wife (lust of the flesh) and in Genesis chapter 40 he uses Pharaoh’s chief butler (the pride of life). The former he used to put Joseph into the dungeon; and the latter he used to keep him there through the butlers ungrateful negligence; yet all this was in vain, because God was working behind the scenes. God’s finger was synchronizing all the gears in the operation of the massive machinery fueled by events and circumstances. It was through Gods providence that various things were fulfilled. God brought forth Joseph for His purpose, and established His feet in a large room…Eph. 1:11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will…

Hence, because God is sovereign it is His prerogative to do as He pleases, when He pleases, because He is above all, and can use any circumstances to accomplish His grand and unsearchable design. I can personally attest that in my own life how sweet it is to be able to trace my Father’s hand and counsel in everything concerning my life. It is even sweeter to know from experience that all agents are subject to His sovereign disposal; i.e. angels, men, and devils. All are under His omnipotent hand, and all are made to carry out His purpose according to the plan he has for our lives! GOLDEN NUGGET!

My brothers and sisters God will use individuals who are for you and against you in various circumstances to further His end! The Lord will make you the character in the theater to display His glory and greatness, which often sets you apart from others! For this is such a beautiful thing to experience when you can trace the hand of God on you and know that it was His providence.

Gen. 41:39-44 “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Forasmuch as God has showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: thou shalt be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people be ruled: Only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him to ride in the second chariot that he had: and they cried before him, bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”

Lord Jesus! When He exalts us it is not ordinary but extraordinary! He rewards us abundantly. It is totally contra-wise with your pit and the dungeon experiences! Please notice the exhibition of the hand of God on Joseph’s life, and the striking typology of the sufferings and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Joseph was taken to the pit and the dungeon because of the hatred and envy of his blood brothers, and the false judgment of the Gentiles. But God’s plan of suffering was deemed necessary in order for Joseph to be ruler over the whole land of Egypt; and not only for that purpose, but to be also a channel for blessings, and a sustainer of life; for Israel and the whole world. We see a man in the place of death, at the hand of men, and then raised up by the hand of God, and put in a position of dignity and glory. Saints notice what Peter says in Acts 2:22-24 “Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles, and wonders, and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know; him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain; whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” GOLDEN NUGGET!

Wow, even when I look at the woman Joseph married in Gen chapter 41, she was a stranger to his race of people, yet she foreshadowed the Church. Christ presented Himself to the Jews, and being rejected, took His seat on high, and sent down the Holy Spirit to form the Church, which is composed of Jew and Gentile, to be united with Him in glory. Please notice that Joseph’s Egyptian bride was intimately associated with him in his glory. (Joseph’s wife sets forth the Church as united to Christ in His glory; and also Moses’ wife “Zipporah” also presents the Church as united to Christ in His rejection.) She, as being part of himself, shared in all that was his. Hence, she occupied a place of nearness and intimacy, known only to herself. This is the same with the Church, as the bride of the Lamb. She is gathered in Christ to be the sharer, at once, of His rejection and His glory. It is Christ’s position which gives character to the position of the Church, and therefore Her position should perpetually give character to the Church’s walk. 2 Cor. 5:16 “Henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.” My brothers and sisters the Church’s gathering point is Christ in glory.  John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all to me.”

Now let’s recap Gen. chapter 45 to see another typology. Joseph presents himself to his brothers as one sent by the father; they reject him, and, so far as they knew, put him in the place of death. But God brings him out and raises him to the highest position of dignity and honor; then when God exalted him, he gets a bride; and when his brethren, according to the flesh, are thoroughly broken they lay prostrate before him, then he makes himself known to them, tranquilizes their hearts, and brings them into a blessing  by restoring them (Israel)

“And Joseph said to his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you, to preserve life. ….. And God sent me before you, to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you sent me hither, but God.” This is mercy and grace  indeed, because Joseph puts his brothers guilty conscience perfectly at rest. His brothers had thoroughly condemned themselves, but Joseph poured a blessed balm into their broken hearts. This is how the God’s remnant with Israel will be executed during the Great Tribulation Period after His Church is Raptured! For “they shall look upon him whom they have pierced, and mourn.”

My brothers and sisters it is Satan’s aim to try to stop us short of God’s mark in everything. We all have been hurt and abused in many areas of our life  (I know I have) but yet it is the grace of Jesus Christ that has sustained us; it was the power of His Holy Spirit and His precious words of life that encouraged us, even when it seemed like darkness prevailed everywhere! Yes, we received persecutions through lies, envy, and unwarranted hate from sources we most definitely did not expect! But God has proven to be faithful in it ALL! It was the hurts that drew us closer to God, and as we drew closer our faith increased to flow in victory!

As I reflect over my own life, as well as you reflect over your own, I pray that we can truly thank Jesus Christ for His providence, because “They Meant It for Evil, But God Meant It for My GOOD”  Have a “JESUS DAY“