I learned a valuable lesson about walking with YHVH through Jacob and Joseph’s lives. YHVH places many struggled in our lives to help us become righteous people. Jacob was a man who struggled with his brother from birth, struggled with Laban for Rachel and success in his trade, and eventually struggled with YHVH for a blessing. Joseph was thrown in a pit, sold into slavery, thrown into prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and forgotten for two years. Regardless of their circumstance, both men demonstrated incredible faith in YHVH. Scripture does not record grumbling, complaining or discouragement on the parts of either men. Jacob’s labors cause him to prosper, not only for himself, but for Laban – despite Laban’s less than honorable behavior. Joseph’s work ethic was such that everything he touched was blessed by YHVH to be benefit of his employers. When both men were faced with family situations where hostility and unforgiveness could hold devastating consequences, they were able to diffuse the situations and demonstrate two sides of humility – as the offender and the offended.
One word came to mind as I meditated on the lives of these two men; attitude. Regardless of their circumstances, they maintained an attitude of faith in a God they believed would overcome all obstacles. Joseph even named his faith in his second son, Ephraim, which means “God caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Oh that I could walk each day with such a great attitude! Psalm 31:6-8 says -
“I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction
and knew the anguish of my soul.
You have not given me into the hands of the enemy
but have set my feet in a spacious place.”
Faith comes from remembering YHVH’s faithfulness.
