Genesis 37:23-24–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

Genesis 37 23-24 Podcast

Welcome to today’s Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation covering Genesis 37:23-24 wherein we see the start of Joseph’s troubles and feel his pain while in the pit.

So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore.  And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Have you known those people in life that you see approaching from afar and would rather they didn’t come any closer?  It’s not nice, but we’ve all been there.  Joseph was one of those guys to his big brothers.  At only 17 and as daddy’s favorite, he had become a stench to his siblings.  Not only did he get the best clothes and probably had to do the least work, but he kept having these dreams that painted him as bigger and better than the rest of the family.  We could speculate as to whether or not it was really smart for him to share such dreams with those already ticked off at him (probably, it wasn’t), but what we see in these couple verses is the start of a wild, crazy, and for many years very difficult road ahead for this dream boy.  What happens here is interesting as the young exalted one is brought low.  Notice here: his attire of honor is stripped of him, his special freedoms that he enjoyed are removed and replaced with the walls of a pit, and the future that his dreams indicated seem a sudden impossibility.  Things changed quickly for Joseph and he could have lost all hope, especially since he would soon find himself sold as a slave to foreigners.  He had to feel so desperate as tears filled his eyes both from the pain in his heart and the dirt that fell from above when he looked up and called for help.

Joseph could have used Psalm 103 at that moment: [The LORD is the One] who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your life is renewed like the eagle’s.  The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed (Vv. 4-6).  Joseph was literally in the pit and would find himself there figuratively speaking a great deal over the next several years of his life.  But what would also happen to him is what David penned here.  God had magnificent, redeeming purposes for the hardships that Joseph would encounter, and though these blessings were much future, Joseph maintained faith and integrity.

Where do you find yourself today?  Do you feel many days as if you’re in a pit or just holding on to the edge for dear life?  Perhaps there are those out to get you, those who want a place of blessing you now hold and might act dirty to get it.  We don’t have the promise that such hardships will all just suddenly pass by tomorrow.  But know that God does lift his children up in due time.  Know that He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).  Know that the poor in spirit will have the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:3).  Know that the Savior, Jesus, feels your pain intimately.  His pit was deeper than any you or I will ever experience and His exaltation of a grand sort that all who hope in Him will share one day.  Take a deep breath and rest in the hands of the King today.

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