The Sent Slave

THE SENT SLAVE
(Psalm 105:17)

Joseph was SOLD into slavery by his brothers.
They SOLD him because they hated him.
They hated him because he had told them about his dreams.
He told them about his dreams because he was naive.
And he was naive because he was just 17 years old.
And their father’s favorite son.

Sibling Rivalry at its worst…

So, Joseph arrived at Egypt, a slave.
Strange Country.
Strange language.
Strange customs and traditions.
But he adapted.
He seemed to accept his fate.
He was SOLD to Potiphar.
With time, he became the Chief Slave in Potiphar’s house.
But he was still a slave.
He recognized that.
He didn’t allow his promotion get into his head.
HE WAS STILL A SLAVE.

Or so he THOUGHT…

He was later SENT to prison.
Mrs Potiphar framed him.
In prison, he also became the Head Prisoner.
Head Slave to Head Prisoner.
He interpreted dreams for 2 men.
Both happened as he interpreted:
One was executed.
The other was restored.
He told the restored one:
“Please, talk to your boss on my behalf! I was SOLD as a slave, I was jailed for nothing!” (Genesis 40: 14-15).
HE WAS STILL A SLAVE.

Or so he THOUGHT…

But there is a record of Joseph’s sojourn in Egypt he was very unaware of!
There was a Divine Perspective to his journey to Egypt he was ignorant about.

The Psalmist wrote, “God SENT a man before them: Joseph…” Psalm 105:17
To Joseph, his brothers SOLD him into slavery.
To God, he was SENT to Egypt!

Imagine that!
Different perspectives:
The natural and the supernatural.
The ordinary and the extraordinary.

2 years after he had interpreted dreams in prison, Pharaoh had a dream.
Then Joseph was remembered.
He was ushered before Pharaoh.
The 1st time he would leave the prison was to the Seat of Power.
He never imagined he would never leave there.
He interpreted Pharaoh’s dream.
Pharaoh was impressed with his widom.
Same wisdom Potiphar saw and he promoted him Head Slave.
Same wisdom the Jailor saw and promoted him Head Prisoner.
Pharaoh saw and promoted him Prime Minister.
Joseph later became the Lord over Egypt.
He was 30.

7 years later, the famine kicked in…

His brothers came to buy food in Egypt, 2 years into the famine.
He met with them.
They did not recognize him.
He was 39.
22 years after he was SOLD into slavery.

They had no idea the man they were grovelling before, the man they were paying obeisance to was the same boy they SOLD into slavery 22 years ago.
But Joseph knew.
He watched them.
He wanted to observe things.

He later revealed who he was to them.
They were shocked!
They were stunned!
You? Joseph?
Woah!

They were afraid.
Their fear was not unfounded: they SOLD him into slavery!
And 22 years later, here is he, the Prime Minister of the country he entered as a slave!
He had them in his hands, to do as he wished.

But Joseph said:
“And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you SOLD me here, for God SENT me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God SENT me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who SENT me here, but God…” Genesis 45:5-8.

22 years later, Joseph’s perspective changed.
He no longer saw himself as a victim.
He no longer saw himself SOLD into slavery.
He saw himself SENT by God.
The same way God had always seen it.

Are ou going through a difficult situation?
Are you seeing it as slavery?
Are you seeing it as prison?
Sooner or later, your perspective will change.
Then you will see it as God has always seen it.

“Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God” -Isaiah 50:10.

Receive wisdom and understanding!

Amen.

Shalom,
Haruna Daniels