He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions, to bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his elders wisdom. (Psalm 105:21-22)

Still speaking of Joseph, the psalmist makes another important point. Not only was the son of Jacob released from bondage and promoted to power, but was also placed in a situation whereby the wisdom he possessed could be shared with others. It’s also important to note where this wisdom was obtained; I would argue that it was, in large part, due to the suffering he endured — including the prison cell. That is not to say that he didn’t possess gifts before his ordeal — he obviously did which is why, to some degree, his father put such trust and responsibility upon him. Of course, this paternal favor is what incited his other brothers against him in the first place.

But let’s consider something — Joseph’s youth and zeal may have also played a role in his brother’s negative opinion of him. He was apparently quick to share his dreams with them — dreams that predicted their subservience to him. Perhaps it was delivered in a way they perceived as boasting, in spite of the fact that the dreams were from God. Even Jacob rebuked him after Joseph shared the second dream with him and the brothers, saying, ““What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” (Genesis 37:10). The point is this: even though he had heard from God in regard to his call and purpose, perhaps he wasn’t as discreet and wise as he could have been at that time — and that’s where the suffering comes in.

If Joseph went into captivity and prison as a young, talented and zealous servant of God, he came out of prison a seasoned, more discreet and far wiser servant of God. After he had interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, the king said of Joseph, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God? … There is no one as discerning and wise as you” (Genesis 41:38-39). It is true — outside of the Spirit of God, there is no greater teacher than the experiences which reveal the good and bad within us. And if we are determined to serve God as we claim, we must invite His Spirit to empower and enable us to overcome our weaknesses that we may be the useful vessels He has ordained us to be. In short, suffering works to eliminate the unfruitful aspects of our being so that the Lord’s perfect will can be performed in our life. As we grow and mature in wisdom, He will eventually send someone our way that needs to hear what we have learned.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill