Читать книгу Boyd's Commentary - R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation - Страница 20

Family difficulties caused by factors outside of the family, such as sickness, economic failure, or global pandemic that arise naturally, can be challenging to cope with. But when family challenges are caused by and are the symptoms of self-inflicted wounds, the ability to cope may feel like an impossible feat. Truthfully, some of the most egregious offenses we encounter in our lives will be orchestrated, if not perpetrated, by family members who claim to love us. When this is a reality, a person may be inclined to ask the Lord, “Why would You allow me to be born into this family?” And His answer: “Because it’s necessary to bring out in you what you were made to become in Me.”

Just as the character of a plant is determined by the soil in which it grows, so it is with us. Regardless of the condition of the soil from which we are both planted in and grow out of, the composition of our family environment helps determine the shape of our character. The hurt and pain we endure from the family, though difficult to bear, are a part of what God allows to strengthen our resolve in Him.

There is no clearer example of this in the Bible than the life of Joseph—after he was sold into slavery by his brothers. From the time the Midianite traders took him into custody, Joseph was saddled with an ever-growing bitterness for his brothers. (Can you blame him?) The trauma of being forcefully separated from your family by those who claim to love you is pretty hard to fathom, let alone forgive.

What’s worse is that this same unfair treatment became a common theme throughout Joseph’s experience in Egypt. He was falsely accused of raping Potiphar’s wife, which resulted in his imprisonment. After interpreting the dream of the chief cupbearer of his imminent restoration to position, he was forgotten for two years by that same cupbearer to whom he gave hope. So, at the time of today’s lesson, Joseph was in prison. And yet, God was still with him. After the baker finally told Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who Joseph was and what he could do, the king summoned him from prison to interpret a puzzling dream he had. Joseph’s life was about to change. While his dreams in the beginning of the narrative led to his imprisonment, his interpretation of dreams at the end led to his empowerment. Sometimes our worst experiences can be the seeds that bring the most favorable outcomes in the long run.