PASTOR CECIL A. THOMPSON
Tumwater Chapel of Grace
Meets each Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Services are held at
5725 Littlerock Rd. S.W.,
Tumwater, Washington
THE SCRIPTURE PORTIONS AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS DO NOT NECESSARILY APPLY TO EACH WEEK’S SERVICE. THEY ARE PRESENTED FOR PREPARATION TO ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO DIRECT OUR HEARTS AND MINDS TO SEE WHAT THE LORD WANTS TO SHOW US FROM HIS WORD. IF IT TAKES SEVERAL WEEKS TO COVER ONE VERSE...SO BE IT. IT IS FAR BETTER TO MOVE WITH THE SPIRIT RATHER THAN TRYING TO GET THE SPIRIT TO FOLLOW
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING JOSEPH?
By Pastor Cecil A. Thompson
PREFACE
What are you thinking? How many times have we asked that question? How many times have we wanted to ask that question? The fact of the matter is that many times we possibly can get into the mind of Bible characters, either by the actual things that are written, or the clues that are provided.
Stop for a moment and think of how many times during the day that you speak. Now try to compare that with the amount of thinking process that is going on in your brain. It is pretty startling isn’t it! We speak and act based upon our thought processes. That is why our thought life is so vitally important to understand. We think it before we speak it or act it out!
There was a movie several years ago starring Mel Gibson titled; “What Women Want.” The supposition was that after a chauvinistic man encountered an accident he was able to hear what the women around him were thinking.
At first it seemed to be a magnificent power that he possessed. He was delighted and was able to accomplish great things because he knew what was going on in the minds of the women around him. He soon came to realize that he no longer wanted this power. The blessing had become a curse.
If we were able to somehow connect with the thought process of Bible characters, what do you think we would discover? Rather than just reading about their actions we could somehow capture their thought processes it might open up a new appreciation of the lives of our favorite heroes of the bible.
We begin this process with one of my bible heroes and perhaps the most interesting character in the Old Testament, Joseph. What must he have been thinking as the events in his life unfolded and he went from a hated and despised half-brother to one of the most powerful men in that day and the one who would save the very brothers who sold him into slavery.
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING JOSEPH?
JOSEPH IS ABOUT 12 OR 13
I look forward to this time of day…actually this time of night. It seems as if my brothers grow to despise me more each day. If it was something I have done I could change it, but there is nothing I can do.
When we were leaving Padam Aram my father, Jacob was fearful of meeting his brother Esau. He divided his families by groups. I can still recall the anger of my older brothers as they were placed in the first groups that would meet Esau and his men. They knew their lives were in jeopardy.
The looks they gave me when I was in the last group with my mother, Rachel and my father, Jacob seemed to open the door for the way they would treat me. The sneers became looks of anger and many times blows to the side of my head.
I know they are jealous because my mother is the obvious favorite wife of my father, Jacob, but why take it out on me? I was only a boy -- In fact I am still only a
There is one bright spot in my life…my mother is with child and I will soon have a brother. He will not be a half-brother as the others, but with the same father and mother as me. I can hardly wait for the day of his birth!
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This is a strange night for me. I need to be alone so I can try to get my thoughts straight. I now have a new brother, his name is Benjamin. That is the wonderful event I have been looking forward to with such anticipation.
My grief was almost more than I could bear when my father came and told me that my mother has died from child birth. I can hardly believe she is gone! I have felt so much bitterness from my brothers that it just seems the taunt me more than a usual. I know my brothers resent the fact that my mother and Benjamin’s mother was my father’s favorite, but why should they have such hatred toward me? I hope they do not treat Benjamin the same way they treat me.
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My father has been spending more time with me since my mother died. He has told me many stories about how our forefathers Abraham and Isaac were led by the Lord. I was stunned to learn that God had led father Abraham to be willing to place his dear son, Isaac on and altar and be willing to sacrifice him.
I told him that that seemed so harsh for a God that was supposed to be a God of love would ever require that. He smiled and told me that God only wanted to test the faith of Abraham. God had prepared a ram that took the place of his son.
My father told me to never question the ways God chooses to work in our lives. He urged me to always keep my mind on following the God who provided the ram for a sacrifice. I promised him that I would.
I told him that almost every night I slip out of camp to be alone. I find comfort being away from everyone. As I look up into the heavens and see the moon and stars I am aware that there is a God who loves me even when my half-brothers hate me.
He smiled and said that he knew what it was like to be hated by his brother. He said he felt that God was going to use me in a special way. He did not know how, but I should always remember that in the darkest hours of my life God had a plan and purpose that would be a blessing. I need to remember that.
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Tonight as I stand outside of the camp and look up at the stars I recall the way my knees almost buckled when my father challenged me to be used by God. I am just a teenager, but I can already feel God has something special planned for me. I feel that I need to yield to Him.
“God, as I look into the heavens I ask You to guide me and protect me. Use me in any way you see fit. Help me to love my brothers even when they treat me worse than a slave. I make a covenant with You right now that I will serve You to the best of my abilities regardless of how I am treated. Where my brothers show hatred, give me the power to show forth Your love and forgiveness. Amen.”
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My father has increased my responsibilities once again. My brothers are jealous with each new responsibility. He is concerned that his sons are hot-headed and willful. They are almost always angry with me as well as the servants in the camp.
I do not like my new responsibility, but will endure the wrath of my brothers in order to be pleasing to my father. It suddenly crosses my mind that in just this same way the Lord wants me to endure all things in order to please Him. I have no idea what that means, but I will remain faithful.
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A FEW YEARS LATER
JOSEPH IS IN HIS MID-TEENS
I miss being alone out here, but my father has sent me out with my brothers, Dan, Naphtali, Gad and Asher, to tend the flocks. They have been drinking strong wine all day and I am left to guard the sheep all through the night. At least it gives me some relief from their torment.
I know father will ask me for a report on their conduct when we return. He has taught me to be honest, so I will report only what they have done and will not add to it or keep back from him what I have observed.
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Things have gone from bad to worse. When I reported to my father that the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah had neglected the sheep, he was furious. He chastised them severely for their conduct. Not only that, he presented me with a finely embroidered robe. I could see the utter hatred from my brothers when they saw me wearing the robe. Things seem to be getting worse with my brothers each day.
The night is especially comforting tonight as I rest out here under the stars. It has been a long and hot day laboring in the grain fields cutting the stalks of grain and binding them into shocks that we will thresh is a few days.
The cool of the night air seems to refresh my body after the heat of the day. I think I will just close my eyes and sleep here with my head pillowed by one of the wheat shocks. Zzzzzzzzzz.
What a dream! It seemed so vivid and real! For some reason I feel I must share it with my family. I know they will not be pleased, but I know God is prompting me to share it.“God please help me to do as You lead me to do regardless of what my brothers may think. Amen.”
……………….
“Brothers, I have had a dream. In my dream we were binding sheaves of grain in the field when suddenly my rose up and your sheaves bowed down to it.”
I had no idea their hatred would be so evident. As I look into their eyes I can see that they would kill me if they could. I can hardly wait to get away to the place where I meet with God each night away from the camp.
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“God, I was right about my brother’s reactions. They were so angry I feared for my life. I am not sure why You would desire for me to share that dream with them, but I have done what You desire. Amen.”
I am so weary that I cannot go back into camp. I will sleep out here under the stars once again. Zzzzzzzzz.
Oh, no! Not another dream. This one was more vivid than the first. Not only did it involve my brothers but also my parents. How can that be since my mother is already dead? Regardless I know God wants me to reveal it when the sun rises.
Father, brothers, I have had another dream. This time the sun, moon, and stars were bowing down to me. (I can hear the moans and see my brothers gritting their teeth). Suddenly my father rebukes me harshly. He demands to know what the dream means. He wants to know if my parents and brothers will bow down to the ground before me. I have no answer. I am just the one who had the dream.
