December 9, 2009
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Hope for the Haters
Recently I've been reflecting on the life of Joseph. Joseph had a couple powerful, clear dreams when he was young, but he made the mistake of sharing them with people who mocked him for them and became jealous of him. The dreams seemed ludicrous to them, so much to the point that they wanted to kill Joseph. Then Joseph's brother Judah decided rather than killing Joseph they should sell him into slavery in order to gain a profit. I imagine Joseph's last memory of his brothers was hearing Judah talk with the slave traders and give him away.
Years and years later, Joseph would be proved right. His prophetic dreams would be fulfilled and he would have great authority. God would use him in an amazingly powerful way. He would also be able forgive his brothers for their hating of him and open his arms to them.
I wonder what Joseph thought about Judah though. I wonder if he had any idea the spiritual line that would follow Judah. That King David would come from Judah. And that our Messiah, Jesus Christ, would also come from his line. As Judah had felt Joseph would never amount to anything, I wonder if Joseph ever felt the same way about Judah.
I believe as God's Spirit is poured out many of those who had once rejected and hindered the Spirit's work will in turn be redeemed and used in even more powerful ways than those they persecuted. Another example would be Peter and Paul in the New Testament. Everyone greatly respected Peter but feared Paul (then Saul) and probably felt he was of Satan. But then Paul would be redeemed and used by God in a far more powerful way.
There is always hope for people... some of those we least suspect will end up being used in the greatest of ways!
God bless!
