Truth Magazine

By Don R. Hastings

The Lord was with Joseph when he was unjustly thrown into prison. (Gen. 39:21-23). It is hard to accept punishment which we deserve, but it is extremely difficult to maintain a good, pleasant disposition when the punishment is unjust (1 Pet. 2:19, 20; Gen. 40:15). Even though Joseph was the victim of slander and his freedom was taken away, he did not become bitter and filled with vengeance (Eph. 4:31, 32; Rom. 12:9).

In prison, Joseph rose to the top again (Gen. 39:22). Joseph so conducted himself that he won the complete confidence of the keeper of the prison just as he had Potiphar’s. God wants His children to do their best for Him under every situation. Like Joseph, we need to remain faithful to God in spite of all that the devil may do to discourage us.

Joseph told the butler and the baker the meaning of their dreams (Gen. 40). Joseph gave God the credit for the interpretations of dreams (Gen. 40:8; 41:16; 1 Cor. 1:31). Again, Joseph was sinned against, for the butler forgot to make mention of him before Pharaoh (Gen. 40:14, 23). It hurts to be forgotten. We can all relate to that. Suppose someone tells you that they will pick you up the next day at 10 o’clock. Then, a few days later tell you they are sorry they forgot you? We all know how important it is to us not to be forgotten. Well, two years finally passed and Joseph was still in prison (Gen. 41:1). Finally, Pharaoh had a dream and the butler remembered Joseph (Gen. 41:9-13).

The Lord was with Joseph when he was called before Pharaoh. “. . . And gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house” (Acts 7:10).

Joseph told the meanings of Pharaoh’s dreams (Gen. 41:14-36). Joseph was over all the people except Pharaoh (Gen. 41:40). Pharaoh honored Joseph before all the people (Gen. 41:41-44). Pharaoh gave Joseph a wife and unto them were born two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen. 41:45-52). Later, Joseph said of his sons, “They are my sons, whom God hath given me here” (Gen. 48:9). Do we consider our children to be gifts from God?

Joseph did not permit his great wealth, honor, and power to cause him to be filled with pride and to forget the one who had given him these blessings. He did not permit his sudden rise to fame and glory to change him from being a humble servant of the Most High (Gen. 42:18). Many children of God find that their faith decreases as their prosperity increases, for they place more of their hope and trust in their riches and less in their Creator (1 Tim. 6:17; Mark 10:24). Prosperity sometimes causes Christians to love this world (I John 2:15-17). The “care and riches and pleasures of this life” have caused many spiritual deaths (Luke 8:14). Many Christians have gone off to Egypt to work and, when they prosper, they become Egyptians! I cannot think of anyone who handled adversity and success any better than Joseph!

What makes the character of Joseph even more commendable is that he resisted the strong temptation of bitterness, hatred, discouragement, fornication, and pride at a very tender age, for he was 17 when sold into slavery and only 30 when he was made governor over Egypt (Gen. 37:2; 41:46).

Why was the Lord with Joseph? Because he feared God. Do you fear God? You do not if you refuse to keep His commandments. Joseph maintained a strong, constant faith in God. Have you? If your faith has wavered, you need to ask God for forgiveness and renew your faith in Him.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 39, p. 626
October 4, 1979

By Bruce James

In a previous article I dealt with the metaphor of Jesus in His being the Vine. But there is another figure that needs to be considered from the same text of John 15:1-11. It is God the Father being likened unto the Husbandman of the vineyard. The rural and agricultural figure is used many times in the scripture to show God’s relationship to His people. Some examples of these expressions are the garden of the Lord, the Lord’s plantation or the field of grain. The figure of the vineyard was probably used more than any other. Isaiah said, “My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill” (Isa. 5:1).

Jesus said God is the Husbandman. The Greek word is georgos, which means farmer or vinedresser, and is the same word from which we got the proper name in English of “George.” The vinedresser is one what has care of the vineyard. His work of office is to nurture, trim and defend the vine. Matthew 21:33 indicates that he feels a deep interest and concern for its growth and welfare.

It is true that we should be ever mindful of the Husbandman and His care for the vineyard, but let us not forget that the vineyard is the church. The once wasting and barren branches are now bringing forth fruits of righteousness. This could be accomplished only through the Vinedresser’s providence and grace. God did not have to give His spiritual vineyard the rain and the dew, the light and the heat – His Word, His influences, His direction, His Son. Let us ever be mindful of this in our daily life.

And the Vinedresser expects fruits from each branch (disciple), but only in proportion to their privileges and blessings. In this we see the necessity to abide in the Vine for apart from Him we can do nothing. And in this we see the infinite wisdom, knowledge, resources and faithfulness of God the Husbandman of His vineyard. His plans and arrangements will lead us to the home in preparation. Everything is within His power. He has promised us many precious blessings and He will not fail in accomplishing them. In essence, God takes care of all the branches of the Vine, that is, all who through obedience to the Gospel, who by faith are united to the Lord Jesus Christ. And every disciple (branch) who does not produce fruit after his own kind is cut off, cast forth and burned. Let us recognize the happiness and the safety of God’s people and the many ways in which He blesses them.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 38, p. 620
September 27, 1979

By Earl E. Robertson

The five Lamentations of Jeremiah are composed on the fall of Jerusalem and Judah. The Chaldeans had triumphed in victory over God’s people because of their carelessness and sins. This collection of lamentations are so named because of the nature of its contents. The unutterable misery and disgrace which had befallen His chosen people are mournfully deplored in this book. The captivity and oppression, the destruction of the city, the spiritual carnage and realization of God’s visitation of judgment, produced an entreaty to Almighty God to remove their disgrace and restore them to His favors. In the midst of this nightmare the broken-hearted prophet, with tears running down his face, cried, “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger” (Lam. 1:12).

This scene is often reenacted among God’s people! Ancient Israel was God’s very own; spiritual Israel is today the church of Christ – washed and bought by the blood of Christ. It is the greatest institution in the world and demands the most sacred respect. It should be loved and cherished as Christ loves it (Eph. 5). Yet, it is all too often prostituted by men who claim they love it. They turn it aside from its sacred mission and work and say, “Look what the church is doing!” What they have it doing cannot be found in the word of God. Men cause the church to engage in secular, social, and athletic efforts while the word of God guides it into spiritual and moral missions. Fifty years ago N.B. Hardeman said, “Why, the church to-day in the eyes of the populace is reduced to about a parallel with the Red Cross.” Again, he preached thirty-five years ago, “It is not the work of the church to furnish entertainment for the members.” But the absence of Scripture and the dutiful warning of men like Hardeman mean absolutely nothing to the egg-head, social-type, fun-loving elders and preachers of our day. One church recently spent one quarter million dollars for a “Wildlife Oasis” in Tennessee; another church gave Freed-Hardeman College a check for $2,500. No, there is no Bible authority for this kind of church action, but the brethren have been told “Any `good work’ which the individual, as a Christian, is obligated to support financially, the church is equally obligated to support financially.” Where are the people who want Bible for church action?

Truth Magazine XXIII: 38, p. 620
September 27, 1979

By Don R. Hastings

As one reads about the life of Joseph, he should be impressed with the number of times the Bible states, “And Jehovah was with Joseph . . .” Joseph was very prosperous and righteous; and the reason for his success is found in the fact that God was with him. What greater blessing could one enjoy than having the Lord with him? What greater blessing could we wish upon others than “The Lord be with you all” (2 Thess. 3:16)? The greatest suffering Jesus felt was when He was separated from His Father for just a few hours as He hung upon the cross (Mark 15:34).

What was there about the character of Joseph which enabled him to enjoy such a close relationship with the eternal Father? What were some of the blessings Jehovah bestowed upon Joseph because of their intimate relationship? What effect did the Lord’s being with Joseph have upon his life? These are some of the questions we shall attempt to answer in these lessons.

It should be our greatest desire to have the same close relationship with the Lord that Joseph enjoyed. Nothing in this life could be more meaningful or beneficial to us. If we will become like Joseph, then we, too, can walk hand in hand with the Lord. Therefore, let us study carefully the life and character of Joseph that we may imitate him.

The Lord was with Joseph when he was a child. His father was Jacob and his mother was Rachel (Gen. 30:23, 24). His mother died while giving birth to Benjamin (Gen. 35:18, 19). He had ten half brothers and one full brother.

Joseph was the victim of envy (Acts 7:9). “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children . . .” (Gen. 37:3, 4). Even small children can relate the story of Jacob making Joseph the beautiful coat. I remember vividly an incident proving this point. Our little son could not have been over three years old at the time. Visiting in another town, our family had gone after services to a restaurant with many other families from the same congregation. Waiting in line, one of the brethren picked up our little son and proceeded to make conversation with him. At the time, our little Ted had on a coat that contained a lot of striking colors. The man said, “Ted, can I have that pretty coat?” Ted, said, “No, because this is Joseph’s coat.”

Like Joseph’s situation, the history of many family troubles is traceable to jealousy springing from parental partiality. We are not to be a respecter of persons and that includes the members of our family (James 2:1).

Joseph dreamed two dreams which increased his brothers hatred for him (Gen. 37:5-11). His brothers would have killed him if Reuben had not intervened. They put him in a pit and then sold him to some Ishmaelites who were going to Egypt (Gen. 37:12-36). They took his coat and dipped it in goat’s blood and then showed it to Jacob (Gen. 37:31-33). Jacob is a good example of how we can be deceived and this deception stimulates wrong feelings (Gen. 37:34, 35).

Joseph was an obedient child (Gen. 37:13; Eph. 6:1). There is a great lesson in this for children to learn. If God is to be with them, they must be obedient to their parents.

To be placed in a pit and then sold as a slave and to be removed from his beloved father, must have hurt Joseph tremendously. But, he did not become bitter and full of hatred toward mankind. He did succeed to some extent to remove his family from his mind (Gen. 41:51). When we have suffered an injustice, we should not harbor it within our heart and permit it to poison us with anger (Eph. 4:31, 32).

The Lord was with Joseph when he was a slave in Egypt. He was sold to Potiphar, the captain of the guard (Gen. 39:1). Joseph was such a good, faithful, and wise slave, that Potiphar placed all his possessions in the hands of Joseph (Gen. 39:2-6). “And his master saw that Jehovah was with him . . . .” Do you so conduct yourself so that others can see that the Lord is with you? What kind of employee are you (Eph. 6:5-8)?

Potiphar’s wife tried to get Joseph to commit fornication. Most young, single men would have given in and sinned (Prov. 7:21-27; 1 Cor. 6:9, 10). Joseph’s answer is recorded in Genesis 39:9, “. . . how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Pleasing the Lord meant more to Joseph than satisfying his own fleshly lusts. No wonder the Lord was with him! If we would be more conscious of the presence and feelings of God, then we would not be so prone to sin! We ought to look at the action Joseph took to escape temptation and flee the same way he did (Gen. 39:12; 2 Tim. 2:22).

Because she failed to seduce Joseph, Potiphar’s wife lied about him and he was thrown in prison (Gen. 39:13-20). When you try to live righteously, those that are evil will lie about you (1 Pet. 3:16). Do not let this discourage you, however (Mt. 5:11, 12).

Sometimes people are heard to say, “Where was God when my baby died, or my husband was in an accident, or our house caught on fire?” Let me ask you, “Where was God when Joseph was cast in a pit, sold as a slave, put in prison, etc.?” He was right there with Joseph! Joseph never accused God of forsaking him. We should not believe that if God is with us we will not suffer any hardships. He is not going to build a hedge about us to keep us from all harm. But, if the Lord is with us we can turn to Him and receive support, help and grace in our time of need, just as Joseph did (1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 4:16). God’s love will sustain us and carry us through every trial and give us a home with Him if we will be faithful and true to Him as His servant Joseph! Let us prove we are His humble servants by submitting to His will in all things.

Truth Magazine XXIII: 38, p. 619
September 27, 1979