What Does God Say About the Unjust Suffering of Joseph?

“Pharaoh said to his brothers, ‘What is your occupation?’ And they said to Pharaoh, ‘Your servants are shepherds, as our fathers were'” Genesis 47: 3. 

Apparently, all of Joseph’s brothers were shepherds, just as their father’s had been. Only Joseph, the one distinguished among his brothers was not.

To read the passage for context, click here.

But let’s not forget, in order to distinguished in a good way, he first had to be set apart in a bad way.

More Glory, More Suffering

He got more glory than his brothers, but he also had to suffer more.

“. . . and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him Romans 8: 17.

Judah, one of Joseph’s brothers, suffered as well when he lost two of his three sons. But there is evidence to suggest this was the result of his own sin. He married a Canaanite woman, even though his father, Jacob, would have instructed him not to do this.

I believe this because Isaac, Jacob’s father, took great care to ensure Jacob didn’t marry a Canaanite woman (Genesis 28: 1-5). And his father before him did the same (Genesis 24: 1-9).

As a result of having a wicked, idol worshipping wife, his sons were wicked as well. And God killed them (Genesis 38: 1-10).

But despite the fact that he suffered for his own sins, Judah was honored among his brothers too. Though not to the degree Joseph was in their lifetimes.

But Judah did have one very important distinction Joseph didn’t. It was through his bloodline that Christ came.

What Does God Say About Unjust Suffering?

The difference in the suffering of the two brothers is that Joseph suffered unjustly:

When he was hated by his brothers and thrown into a pit (Genesis 37: 18-24).

When he was sold as slave in Egypt (Genesis 37: 25-28).

And when he went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit (Genesis 39: 11-20).

But here’s the truth: It wasn’t his brothers who sent him to Egypt, but God.

The brother who was destined to be distinguished among his brothers had to be prepared for the glorious purpose to which he was called.

What Does God Say About the Unjust Suffering of Joseph? Extra Calling; Extra Trials

Joseph had to experience extraordinary trials because he had an extraordinary calling.

I’m sure Joseph was excited about the dreams God had given him. . . at first. He was going to rule over the brother who hated him and be honored (Genesis 37: 1-11).

He probably would not have been as excited, though, had he known at that time what he’d have to go through to see the fulfillment of those dreams.

God gives us promises, vision, dreams, without going into detail about what it’s going take to make it happen.

“. . . looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12: 2.

Jesus was able to endure the cross because of the “joy set before him”. This is also what enabled Joseph to endure his cross.

The joy, the hope, the promise of the good things to come, motivated him to endure the hardship necessary to prepare him for it.

Yes, Joseph was distinguished among his brothers. He was called to be something much more glorious than a shepherd.

It Didn’t Come Easily

But it didn’t come easily. . . or cheaply. There was a price to pay.

To the degree he had more honor than his brothers, to that degree he had more suffering. That’s because greatness requires character. And we get that by suffering (James 1: 2-4).

Let me clarify, I don’t believe this suffering includes calamity and devastation that we never recover from. Joseph had some hard knocks, but in the end everything he lost was restored to him (Genesis 46: 28-34).

It’s no coincidence that the next thing we hear about Joseph after receiving the dreams was that he was sold into slavery. The dreams were intended to give him the motivation and strength to he would need to be prepared for their fulfillment.

To read another post related to What Does God Say About the Unjust Suffering of Joseph?, see Power, Love and a Sound Mind: The Progression.

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