GOD'S ECONOMY
Joseph was one of Jacob's twelve sons. He was very special to Jacob because he was Rachel's child. He loved Rachel more than any of his other wives. He met her when first coming to Mesopotamia. It was love at first sight. He asked Laban for her hand in marriage and he agreed to work for seven years for her. However, Laban tricked him and he ended up with Leah. Isn't it interesting how we reap what we sow. Remember how Jacob tricked his brother, Esau, out of his birthright? Now it comes back on him. He loved Rachel so much he agreed to work another seven years for her. She was unable to give him children at first, but finally the Lord blessed them to have children together. Joseph was the first born with Rachel, so he had a very special love for Joseph. Then, unfortunately, Rachel died during child birth when she had their second child, Benjamin.
Jacob favored Joseph over his other brothers. He gave him a special coat of many colors. He kept him very close to him. He sent Joseph to spy on his brothers. Joseph would bring back evil reports on his brothers. They developed a hate towards him and plotted to kill him. But God...had another plan and purpose for his life. His brothers ended up selling him into slavery and ended up in Egypt, at Potiphar's house. Potiphar was a very wealthy, prominant man in Egypt. He was an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard. He immediately recognized the blessing that was on Joseph, so he placed him over his entire household. Then Potiphar's wife begin to lust after Joseph, but Joseph was a true man of God.
Ge 39:7-10 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
This is a very important part of operating in God's Economy. Note that Joseph said, "how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" He not only saw this sin as being against Potiphar, but also against God. We must understand that God is omniscient, which means he knows all. The Word of the Lord declares:
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart
I think we should take this even further. We should do it out of love and not out of the law. Remember, this was all before the law, so Joseph was operating out of love and not the law. When Jesus was asked which law was the greatest, he said:
Mt 22:33-40 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine. 34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Ro 13:8-10 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
So you see, we should do whatever we do out of love and not the law.
I don't steal, because I love God.
I don't kill, because I love God.
I don't lie, because I love God.
I pay my tithes, because I love God.
