Why, God? Why? (continued)

4. Joseph
Joseph is another sterling example of utter devotion to the will and purposes of God. Joseph starts out just fine... Except for the fact that his father is partial to him. Then things start to deteriorate rapidly:

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed: For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf. And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.” —Genesis 37:3-8

Notice in the next passage that he was willing to go out, find his brothers, and bring back word to his father; knowing full well that they hated him for his dreams: “And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.” —Genesis 37:13
After that point, nothing seemed to go well for the poor lad... They threw him into a well, and then drug him back out and sold him... Now let's follow that Ishmeelite camel-train: Imagine the long, dusty, hot days of travel, and the incredible gnawing fear of the unknown! He was only 17! Then he got sold to a fairly wealthy officer in Pharaoh's court. Things are beginning to look a little better! God is with him, and everything he is doing is prospering! His boss is impressed, sets him up over all the affairs of his house, and then... Down in the dumps of a dungeon. Just because he wanted to retain his own integrity, he was rewarded with a long stay in prison. Now follow him as he is there; again, watch everything prosper under his hand. The jailer promotes him to the highest position that a prisoner can hold. Then two of the king's officers are cast into prison with him. Imagine the hope that rose within his heart when he told the king's butler to put in a good word for him to the king!

“But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.” —Genesis 40:14, 15

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Two whole years go by! Joseph is STILL in prison, dutifully performing his day to day tasks... No glory, no pride, nothing! For two years! By then, I'd have been screaming "GOD, WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS TREATMENT?" He didn't do anything to deserve getting sold away from home, he didn't do anything to deserve getting cast into prison, and look at the thank-you that he received from the butler! "Oops, well, I guess I forgot about you. Sure has been nice to be out of that hole for these two years!" But God knew what he was doing! God can't use a vessel that is puffed up in pride. God knew the heady work that he needed Joseph for, and without the "prison training," Joseph would have been useless to God.

“...but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” Isaiah 66:2b

5. Noah
Just imagine, God asks you to start building a rocket that will go to planet Xtargaer. He says that the Earth will be destroyed, and he wants to save your family—alone. The only catch there, is that you don't even know that Xtargaer exists! Dutifully, you start the plans, exactly how God has specified... This spaceship is in the works for almost one hundred years! You are telling all your friends and neighbors that the earth will explode, and that they should get right with God, and build a spaceship to get to Xtargaer with you. "Are you cracked?" they ask, incredulously. "What has gotten into your head? What and where is Xtargaer, anyway? You are just wasting your life! Look at you! You are already almost a hundred-years-old, and you are still not done! The earth hasn't blown up yet! Get a grip, man! Come live your life a little! Have some fun! Eat, drink, and be merry!" You sadly shake your head, and continue the seemingly interminable task of putting rivets into this spacecraft...
I know that seems a little bit far-fetched, but think about it. In Noah's day, there was no need for a ship. Man was on land, and everyone was together. It wasn't until after the flood that the people of Babel were scattered across the face of the earth. Beside that, I don't even know if they had ever heard of "rain" until that time! I know that I would grow weary after a few years, and ask God "Why are you having me do this? Maybe everyone else is right! Why am I wasting my life pounding nails into a boat that is beached in the middle of my yard?" I admire his dogged perseverance... Sticking to the task that is set in front of him without questioning. Can we do the same thing with the task of the great commission?


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In conclusion, I want you to notice that most all the men listed here are also listed in the "Heroes of Faith" from Hebrews 11. I think the absence of the "Why" question in their lives has a lot to do with that listing there too... Think about it: You trust and love your heavenly Father SO much that you don't need to ask "why?" when he does something in your life. You trust Him implicitly, and there is no need for worry! It is like the verse in 1 John 4:18:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
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“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6