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- Genesis 39:20
Joseph suffers, not because of sin, but because of virtue, truth, and goodness.
This is the way our Lord would have it; as Luther said, “Those who believe in God must suffer on account of virtue, truth, and goodness; not on account of sin and shame.”
Joseph’s disposition seems to be one of confidence; it's as if he knew what the Puritans meant when they said “it is a good thing when God throws us into the cellar of affliction, for it is there that He keeps his best wine.”
“Joseph is to become a Lord, though he had seemingly entered into the prison of hell (Luther).”
For now, Joseph’s way is one of shadow and darkness (Psalm 23), but this is the way through which God often leads his people. Moses, David, Paul, Luther, even King Jesus walked a darkened path.
Joseph has been betrayed, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused, sent to prison; Joseph has tasted the rotten fruit of hell. Yet, here he stands. Joseph continues to follow the Shepherd through the valley of darkness— why?
There is only one answer, much like there is only one reason why the Shepherd would lead his sheep through the valley of the shadow and death: there must be something far better on the other side.
Praise be to God; Joseph is about to discover the other side!
Press On,
Pastor Harp
