I’ve been visiting the account of Joseph and his incredible shift in life from one extreme to the other. His brothers, now decades beyond the day of Joseph thrown in a pit and sold to the Midianites, stood before him in shock.
The last time they saw Joseph, he was being hauled off by the Midianites for 20 pieces of silver. Back home, they’d convinced their father Joseph was dead by revealing the precious coat of many colors their father had made for him covered in blood. The silver pieces were tucked away in their pockets, and the truth was tucked away in their hearts. They never breathed a word to their heartbroken father. He believed that the blood on the coat was Joseph’s blood.
God never bothered to tell Jacob that what he was looking at wasn’t true when put together. Yes, it was Joseph’s coat, and yes, there was blood on it, but it wasn’t what it appeared to be. God allowed him to deduct that it had to be Joseph’s blood. The sons knew their father would presume the worst based on what he saw, hence the presentation of lies.
God didn’t turn from His purpose for Joseph or his brothers. He allowed their lie to be presented and accepted as truth. God just continued with His strategy of positioning Joseph to one day stand in front of his brothers and father.
Joseph’s brothers worked hard to prevent the truth from getting out – they had no idea it wouldn’t remain tucked away – the reveal was simply on God’s timer. The brothers moved along in life, presuming their actions would never come to light.
A famine would drive them to Egypt in search of food. Their minds weren’t on the lie they’d told their father so long ago. But daylight hit the musty lie when Joseph revealed his true identity. Confused, fearful, and troubled by the revelation, they couldn’t believe their eyes as Joseph wept and hugged them.
Oh, the lie – they feared Joseph would repay them for their actions. But God had done a work on Joseph. The lie did what it was supposed to do – position Joseph for greater things. But God wouldn’t allow the lie to destroy Joseph’s character. He had some processes to go through, but in the end, when the truth came out, he didn’t throw daggers or feel fresh wounds. Instead, he had a grateful heart and offered comforting reminders that God did it to bless all of them.
He had to reassure them again after their father died that he wasn’t out for revenge. He understood his position, purpose, and the point of it all. He accepted what God did and was determined to encourage them not to be afraid – that he would indeed do what God sent him to do – save their family and other nations.
Be careful when you are presented with a bloody coat and you’re asked to weigh in on the subject. The presenter is banking on you taking the bait of props that have the trappings of perceived truth. It’s challenging at times not to automatically embrace what is being presented. But if nothing else, the account of Jacob and Joseph’s bloody coat serves as a reminder that although things look like a slam dunk of truth, it could be a case of someone trying to get you to buy a lie with a bloody coat. It’s not what you think.
Lastly, take heart, for if you’ve already been hoodwinked, don’t worry; there’s a God purpose behind that too. And when God’s timing is right, it will be revealed, and the damage the enemy thought the lie would cause will turn out for your good and God’s glory.
28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?31 And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son’s coat or no.33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. Genesis 37:28-34 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)