WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Israel had a son who was born to him when he was was old named Joseph. It appears that Israel favored him more than his other sons. He made Joseph a coat, sewing together patches of colored cloth, that was considered a coat of distinction. His other brothers were very jealous of Israel's relationship with Joseph, and because of the fathers favoritism. The story begins when Joseph was only 17 years old. (Genesis 37)

Joseph had done nothing; yet he becomes the scape goat, and a target for this dysfunctional family.

“When Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved him more than he loved them, they hated their brother and could not speak to him politely.” ( Genesis 37:4 )

His brothers were all adults except Benjamin who was younger than Joseph, yet they acted like children in how they related to their brother. In their eyes he was the problem in their relationship with their father, and thought if they got rid of him then the problem would be gone.

One time Joseph had a dream and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him even more.
The story becomes even more tragic when the brother transpire to kill him, but end up selling him into slavery.

I do not believe that Joseph did anything to deserve the treatment that he received from his family. He was just a kid who had a relationship with his elderly father as though he was his grandfather instead of his father, and had a what ended up being a prophetic dream that God gave him.

I say this because of the way Joseph conducted himself for 13 years in Egypt. He is one of the few men in the Old Testament that has nothing negative written about him.

I can not keep from getting a tear in my eye when I read about the re-union of the brothers in Genesis chapter 45:1-4, you can feel the deep emotion.

“Joseph could not control himself in front of his servants any longer, so he cried out, "Have everyone leave me." When only the brothers were left with Joseph, he told them who he was. Joseph cried so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and the people in the king's palace heard about it.
He said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But the brothers could not answer him, because they were very afraid of him. So Joseph said to them, "Come close to me." When the brothers came close to him, he said to them, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold as a slave to go to Egypt.”

Maybe your like me who was born again into a non - Christian family where I always felt like I was on the outside looking in when I became a Christian at the age of15. It was very painful to be rejected, and treated like an outsider, but most of my emediate family that I grew up with have also become Christians since then, but it took many years.

There is nothing more painful than just wanting to belong, but when you are set apart as Joseph was it can mean years of loneliness. I know in some parts of the world that it can mean complete and total rejection from your entire family if you Become a Christ follower.

Maybe you are in a family where your parents, your spouse, or your children are not Christians; this situation sets you up as a target by the enemy, like Joseph you go it alone without the love and companion of a family in your walk with the Lord.

Maybe also like Joseph you will be the salvation of your intire family.

Prayer;
Father God I know that the story of Joseph is played out in many families today. I pray for those who feel isolated and rejected from their families that you will give to them the grace to stay faithful to you in the face of persecution. Holy Spirit pour the love of the Father into our hearts so we will not become bitter and resentful. and use us like Joseph to bring salvation to our families. In the name of Jesus, amen.