Have you ever revisited a story multiple times, only to uncover new insights with each read? That’s precisely what I experienced while delving into Joseph’s story in the Bible. In the past, I recognized Joseph’s favored status with God. However, this reading brought a fresh perspective, revealing an aspect I had never fully understood before. I realized how his brothers’ jealousy and their own hunger pains reflected in their treatment of Joseph. Joseph's brothers didn’t just want him to leave; nor were they eager for him to go home and get out of their way. It's a feeling many siblings experience when dealing with an annoying little brother or sister. As I delved deeper into the intricate layers of this narrative, I uncovered more generational echoes than I had anticipated. I also witnessed the unmistakable hand of God’s favor, and how many individuals pursue it, often by attempting to eliminate what they perceive as obstacles to that favoritism.
Joseph's brothers wanted Jospeh to experience a deep loss, and a sense of worthlessness like they did by the hands of their own father. A father who seemed to favor Jospeh above them, the same as he favored Joseph's mother Rachel over their mother Leah. This favoritism had evoked a loss in their own life. So, they deflected that emotion by stripping their brother of his cherished colorful tunic that was a special gift from their father, a symbol of his favor. (Genesis 37:23) Jospeh's brothers didn't stop there, they also wanted Jospeh to suffer, the same way watched their mother Leah suffer when their father favored Rachel more. So, they isolated Jospeh in a pit, all alone, without water during a hot part of the day, while they sat eating in comfort amongst Jospeh's screams for reprieve. (Genesis 37:24) Joseph's brothers wanted Joseph to feal defeated, as they did, so they placed him in the hands of known enemies to Israel, knowing he would be used, abused and possibly even killed. Almost to say, we don't care what happens to you - which is often how I assume they felt their father thought about them. (Genesis 37:27-28) Most importantly to the story however, Joseph's brothers wanted Joseph erased from the family. This is why they manipulated their father into believing he was gone. (Genesis 37:31-33) All of this was done with one thing in mind, they each wanted to step into the role as their father's favorite. (Genesis 37:35)
This reminded me of a very poignant truth: people who are hungry for your favor can be dangerous. And this story isn't the only one found in the pages of scripture that reminds us of this truth. King Saul sought David's life because he carried the oil and the favor. (1 Samuel 19) Athaliah sought Joash's life because he carried the inheritance and the favor. (2 Kings 11) Jezebel sought Elijah's life because he carried the power and the favor. (1 Kings 19) Pharisees sought Jesus' life because He carried the truth and the favor. (Matthew 26) When God reveals an envious spirit, take heed. Those consumed by envy believe that divine favor is a limited resource, thinking that if you are removed from the picture, it will fall upon them. However, that is not how God's favor operates.
Consider Joseph’s brothers: instead of receiving favor, they encountered their father's profound and unending grief, a sorrow they could never alleviate. This grief only drew their father closer to Joseph's younger brother, leaving them feeling isolated even still. Similarly, Saul’s desperate attempts to chase after favor by pursuing David ultimately led to his own demise. In his last days, he was tormented by a wicked spirit, consumed by jealousy and fear and ended up taking his own life on that very sword. Athaliah, too, was not granted favor; instead, she found Joash, whose existence exposed her true motives and ultimately led to her downfall. Jezebel sought power, but the only prophecy surrounding her was that of her own death, which inevitably came to pass after Elijah's powerful prophecy spoken over her. The Pharisees, in their pursuit of favor, found only an empty tomb and a radical movement that liberated the religious oppression they opposed on all the people. Each of these stories serves as a reminder: envy leads not to favor, but to a path of destruction. While we need not fear the jealous, we must remain vigilant in their presence, and here's why. A person who is not crucifying their flesh, needs to crucify someone else, and that someone else is usually the person who is.
God's favor isn’t something that simply falls; it follows. It trailed Joseph from the pit to the prison and right into the palace. It accompanied David through hiding places, onto battlefields, and ultimately to the throne. Joash experienced this favor as it led him from the kingdom’s outskirts to secret havens and back to reign on the throne. Elijah's favor guided him into the wilderness, through caves in isolation, and straight to into the field once again to challenge Jezebel's power. Jesus carried this favor through the cross, in the tomb, and now it extends it to everyone who chooses to bear His name alike. The responses of those favored reveal the very reasons for their favor. Joseph discovered the path to forgiveness, despite enduring years of oppression from his siblings because he kept a heart of humility and worked unto God. When presented with an opportunity for revenge against Saul, David opted for mercy, symbolized by cutting off a piece of his tassels. David in essence was witnessing to the very man set out to kill him. Joash heeded the wisdom of those around him, which ultimately protected him from Athaliah's murderous rampage, and when the season of hiding was done that favor followed him to the throne. When Elijah felt overwhelmed, he sought rest in God, which rejuvenated him to complete his mission and go on to anoint the man who would carry a double portion of his power. Jesus became an intercessor, not only for His followers but even for His enemies so they had a way to repent and redeem their stories and find favor for themselves without trying to steal it from another.
Our reactions to oppression often illuminate the reasons behind the favor in our lives. It’s not solely about our actions; it’s about allowance. Allowing God to work through you and in you. God values humility, repentance, obedience, teachability, intercession, and endurance. He doesn’t choose those who seek favor for themselves; He chooses those who strive to show favor to Him regardless, if it gets them hated, slandered or persecuted. Those hungry for your favor would lose their appetite if they knew the road you walked to receive it. With favor comes opposition. With approval come rejection. With anointing comes warfare. The envious only see the oil, not the crushing you went through to receive it.
Sincerely, Selena
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