The Book of Genesis
Part 72
Joseph The Messenger: Chapter 37:13-17
Jacob’s solicitude for the welfare of his sons and their flocks became the occasion on which Joseph’s half-brothers openly manifested their hatred and spite against him.
Jacob’s sending of Joseph in order to ascertain the circumstances of his sons and his sheep reminds one of Paul’s sending Timothy back to Thessalonica to see how the faith and the love of the young converts there endured the trials and afflictions to which they were exposed. Similarly, it reminds one of the Philippians sending Epaphroditus to see how Paul fared in the prison at Rome. Many a Joseph since that day has gone out on an errand of mercy, a mission of kindness. Many have been welcomed as Timothy or warmly received as Epaphroditus; and, no doubt, many have been treated with disdain and contempt as was Joseph.
There are several interesting qualities in Joseph’s personality which grew from these early beginnings to maturity in his adult life. These are qualities which are necessary in a faithful steward of God (1 Cor. 4:2).
Industry
While Jacob loved Joseph dearly, and in certain ways favoured him above his brothers, this did not result in his exempting him from the toils and the strains of a shepherd’s life. At an early age Joseph had to face the rigours of changeable elements and wild beasts on the hillside: “Joseph, being seventeen years old was feeding the flock with his brethren” (Gen. 37:2).
There is every evidence that Joseph gladly shared in these labours of his brothers. There is no indication of indolence on his part. In fact, there is ample proof in the records of his full and useful life to substantiate the belief that Joseph from his boyhood was an industrious person.
Obedience
It is somewhat stimulating to notice how promptly and voluntarily Joseph obeyed his father’s wish. The father and the son appear as contrasts. Jacob, at least in his earlier life, was very hesitant in his response to the requests of others. Not only was he not prompt, but even when he did obey, frequently it was only with partial obedience. Joseph, on the other hand, replied to his father’s call, “Come, and I will send thee unto them,” with a quick, “Here am I.” His ready compliance with his father’s authority irrespective of what involvements there might be is most admirable. Obedience here meant a journey of some sixty miles which, of course, would require several days of fatigue and peril.
Such obedience is rare in this day of lawlessness when every man seems to be doing that which is right in his own eyes. It is difficult for men to realize that in the sight of God “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22).
Experience
Joseph at this time was only seventeen years of age; consequently, we are not surprised to read, “A certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field.” In his search for his brethren, he had gone astray.
Inexperience is not a commendable quality, to be sure; notwithstanding, it provides the background against which moral excellencies are clearly displayed. Goliath expected a complete victory over the untrained David. He fully thought that his own experience in battle assured him of success. David was an expert shepherd, not a skilled soldier; but David’s God was mighty in battle. When challenged by the boastful giant who cried, “Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field;” David replied, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” His lack of experience provided the opportunity to rely implicitly upon God, and this confidence received a rich reward.
Proficiency does not necessarily assure success, nor does inexperience spell defeat when the soul in its immaturity and weakness clings to God.
Courage
One understands a little of Jacob’s concern for his sons and his belongings when he recalls the bitter episode at Shechem. It was there that Simeon and Levi in revenging the dishonour done to their sister Dinah slew so many of the male inhabitants (chap. 34). The words of Jacob on that occasion may be recalled, “Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.”
It may have been comparatively safe for a group of men like the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah to return again to such a danger spot. In an emergency they could defend themselves, but for a lad who must have known something of the happenings at Shechem, his going into that region was an act of real courage. Joseph probably had his fears about the district, but these he mastered and went to do his father’s bidding in spite of any inward anxiety.
Diligence
The sum total of all these traits adds up to diligence, that persistent effort to accomplish a task. Joseph, when he did not find his brethren at Shechem, pressed on to Dothan which was on the southern slope of Mount Gilboa. They may have had a feeling of dread at Shechem so placed several miles between them and the city where they had established such an evil reputation. Joseph, however, diligently sought them out.
There are biblical examples of men who failed in this very matter. John Mark, a young man of New Testament times, certainly lacked diligence (Acts 13:13; 15:36-41), and withdrew from the place of action and service; not so Joseph. He resolutely pressed onward until he accomplished the mission assigned him by his father.
It has been pointed out that Joseph apparently combined the best moral excellencies of his predecessors. He had the faith of Abraham, the calmness and peacefulness of Isaac, the ability of Jacob, and all the graciousness of his mother’s side of the family.
These virtues are found in all the true and great servants of God. We see them in men like Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Isaiah, Paul, John, and a host of others, but most of all do we see them in Jehovah’s Perfect Servant, the Lord Jesus. In others they appear relatively and in different degrees; in Christ, they are revealed in absolute perfection. In the true expression of Christian graces, we fail; Christ never fails to truly express the perfections of Christian graces. Nevertheless, because of His perfection, He bears with us in our imperfection.