What's Your Legacy ?

A man is destined for a greatness begins his journey. It all started when he shared the dream he had with his brothers and father. A boy who was his father's favorite which was openly displayed by the Multi-colored coat he received from his father. He became a slave sold to Midianite merchants (took him to Egypt) by his own brothers. He was thrown into jail despite his faithfulness and righteousness. Whom I believe have learned that size is nothing; substance is everything. If you are thinking if this is Joseph son of Jacob, you are absolutely correct.

We live in a culture where the greater we are the better, where size or position is the measure of success. I believe Joseph had a great perspectives on life; he did all things in an excellent manner, one who of integrity and served the people around him. From a slave to Chief of the household. From a prisoner to the Head of all those in the prison. From a mere commoner/foreigner in Egypt to a man in charge of Egypt (2nd in command under Pharaoh). His righteousness, in the short run, seemingly was not rewarded. 

His life went from lows to small highs. Yet, his faith in God remained remarkably matured. It was clear by the manner he interpreted the dreams of the cup bearer, baker and the Pharaoh when he said 'it is God who can interpret dreams' and gain no credit to himself. He walked in an unwavering faith, a heart which was not filled with criticism, unbelief, and doubt. Could he have been able to interpret his own dream and knew God's destiny for him. Thus holding on to the very promise from God even when all else seems to be at war with him. Has God forgotten suffering Joseph? He was hated, betrayed, sold, seduced, accused and even jailed. God who cares for us never loses track of us. God always made him prosperous/successful where ever he was.

The appointed time came for Joseph to rise up when he needed to interpret the pharaoh's dreams and wisely gave a strategy to save the nation from famine. A man of character formed in the depths of betrayal and conspiracy by his own brothers, ripped away from his own family, falsely accused by his Master's wife, subjected to an unfair punishment by his own master and forgotten by the man he comforted in jail. He never asked 'why does all these happen to me?' He was not depressed, never grumbled or murmured. He never questioned the benevolence of his God. Then one day, he rose to Power, Prestige and Fame. God had vindicated him and raised him up to an exalted position. He stored up corn during 7 yrs of plenty, married into the Priesthood of On, fed people during the seven years of famine, wisely instituted a income tax of one fifth except over the priests, it was he who brought the Twelve Tribes to Egypt, where in time they would grow to nationhood. Thus his entire family had joined him there in Egypt, to share the best of that place. Was this just a remarkable turn around or what God intended from very beginning when Joseph shared his dream. The brothers intended it for evil (selling him as a slave) but God intended it so that many lives can be saved. Yes, God didn't turn the situation around for Joseph, it was exactly how He wanted to bring Joseph into Egypt.

The end of a story signifies forgiveness and grace, family re-united and from which the blessings of God were appropriated and the remarkable fulfillment of God's promises and word. At 110, Joseph displayed a greater act of faith which extraordinary when he believed God's promise about the land inheritance. And his instructions and made the sons of Israel swear an oath to carry his bones out of Egypt to the promised land. He was later put in a coffin in Egypt. Then the next book of bible (Exodus) begins some 400 years later which God spoke of in Genesis 15: 13.

(FAST FORWARD to Joshua's time) Joseph's bones which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem which today is known as Israel (the promised land). Joshua was Joseph's descendant and what a privilege it must have been for Joshua in fulfilling Joseph's desire and witnessing God's faithfulness generations after generations. 

The chapters in the book of Genesis also reveals the importance of Joseph not only to the history of Israel, but also to the history of Egypt. That's Joseph's legacy! What legacy are you building?