Christian Devotional – January 7, 2019

It’s really the first time we see Joseph flustered. I mean, throughout the entire story of his life, we’ve read about how he has accepted everything that has come his way. Now, in Genesis 48:13-22, Joseph tries to change what is happening.

When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on Ephraim’s head, it displeased him; and he grasped his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
Genesis 48:17 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.48.17.NASB

I’m sure Joseph had heard the stories of how Jacob had stolen the birthright and blessing intended for his older brother from his father Isaac. Yet, when he took his two sons to get blessed from Jacob, he was not at all pleased when Jacob gave the primary blessing to the younger son.

Of all the things that he went through, this is the first time that the Bible records that Joseph is upset. He endured all that happened to him without a single statement on his thoughts, yet when something happened that involved his children, that is when he registered his displeasure.

We don’t know exactly why this upset Joseph, other than knowing that he wanted his oldest son to receive the primary blessing. Maybe he forgot that he is not in control but God is. Maybe he just struggled with difficulty happening to his children. Maybe he had taken a page out of his father’s book and Manassas was his favorite. But for whatever reason, he tried to change the situation, only to be told no.

Sometimes when we get upset, we tell God to change the situation. We beg and plead and promise and demand. However, God in his grace and mercy allows us to go through things that He knows are for the best and for His glory. When we get displeased, do we first ask our Father why he is allowing us to go through something? Even if He doesn’t tell us right then, we can still rely on the fact that He sees the big picture and knows what is best.