In the Pits

Started a bible study on the life of Joseph from the book of Genesis chapter 37 to chapter 50.


You can read Genesis 37 here :
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=1&chapter=37&version=50


I realised that 8 times in Chapter 37 alone, the "pit" was mentioned.

The "pit" was mentioned because the brothers of Joseph were upset and jealous of him and they plotted to kill him and throw him into the pit. And the conversation between the brothers began to revolve around various suggestions to deal with Joseph, the apple of their father's eyes, with the pit. Most of his brothers wanted to kill him and throw him into the pit. However, Reuben, the eldest brother, tried indirectly to save Joseph by persuading the rest not to kill him but instead, to leave him in the pit to fend for himself (so that he can come back later to save him). Judah, on the other hand, thought of another plan which would have given Joseph a greater survival rate than being left in the pit by bringing Joseph out of the pit and selling him to be a slave.


And so young Joseph who had dreamt that his father and mother and eleven brothers would bow down to him was literally thrown into the deep dark pit and metaphorically speaking, down in the pits of his life.


What spoke to me most in this chapter is that while most of the brothers were plotting against Joseph, there was a couple of them (Judah and Reuben) who tried to help. Perhaps the situation did not allow them to be upfront in their intentions, but at least they tried in their most subtle ways. When Joseph was momentarily down in the dark cold pit, both Judah and Reuben were still thinking of a way to get him out of the pit.


When I think of this imagery of me in the dark, deep, cold and lonely pit, I'm comforted to know that God has placed some Judahs and Reubens in my life. There are Judahs and Reubens in my life who would think of me and pray for me when I'm down in the pit. There are Judahs and Reubens who want to help and would try to get me out of the pit. Though the road out of the pit may not be any easier, at least it is out of the pit. And God is still with me.

Lord, there are many things we can't see and understand why, but we thank You for the hope You've given us, so that we may perservere on and be encouraged.

Romans 15:4

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning,

that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.