Why Not More Josephs?

In a word, because most folk won’t submit to the same kind of testing.  And of what sort is that? Wait, one thing must precede the testing—a vital, personal relationship with God.  It must be kept in mind that in Joseph’s day there was no such thing as being “born again”, “converted”, “saved” or “confirmed in the faith”.  The “Law” had not been given under Moses, nor a sacrificial system (for the covering of sins) instituted.  Still, persons were able to have a vital relationship with God.

This God was not just any ol’ god, but the God Who identified Himself as “I Am”, the God of Creation, the God of all might and power and the One Who ultimately reveals Himself as the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is also sovereign God as illustrated in another Name for Him, “the Alpha and Omega”, meaning the First and Last, or, the Beginning and the End.  By His being sovereign God, everything is under His control.  That doesn’t mean everything that happens He causes, but it does mean everything that happens He uses to further His cause (and our good).

In this case Joseph’s relationship with God would have been framed by the “covenant” God entered into with his great-grandfather, Abraham, who himself endured some very critical “tests”.

With the relationship intact, then begins the “walk”.  What you are destined for ("your walk") will determine your tests.  Grossly over-simplified, it could work like this:  if one is seeking to learn a “trade”, he/she might attend a “trade school” and would be tested on a range of subjects related to that “trade”; if one were seeking to become a medical doctor, the educational “track” would be totally different with testing on an appropriate range of subjects.

For your “walk” in God to make any sense, have any purpose or direction, you must have a “call”.  Joseph, through a dream, had a “call” to become a ruler.  This required testing of a most severe sort, especially in light of the fact he would be taken from prison, as a slave, to become Prime Minister of the most powerful country in the world.  Perhaps such a transition might be likened unto a person winning $500 million in a lottery, except in this case, in addition to all the money in the world he might need, Joseph had unrivaled political power.

A number of persons who have won a large lottery have had their lives ruined—because they were not “tested”, readying them for that position.  The same has been true of many “pro” athletes who have a lot of money “thrown” at them suddenly—they can’t handle it.  They have not been “tested”.

As Christians, we are actually “called” to be “like” Christ—there is no higher “calling”.  This calls for severe testing.  Many Christians shy away from this because the “way” is too hard.  They turn back.  They turn away.  They compromise.  They quit.

Even so, God is still looking for “Josephs”.  Will you be one?