Adversity and “Great Possessions” in the Bible: The Link
“Then the Lord said to Abram, ‘Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions'” Genesis 15: 13, 14.
This passage is alluding to the time in the future when Abram’s (later Abraham) offspring (the Israelite’s) would be enslaved and mistreated in Egypt for many generations.
When Pharaoh finally let God’s people go they asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and clothing (Exodus 12: 33-36). And they gladly complied. These were the “great possessions” referred to in the passage.
In a figurative sense, whenever we are enslaved and afflicted in any capacity we have a great opportunity to “come out with great possessions”.
Adversity in the Bible: A Cause for Hope
This is not to advocate slavery, abuse or ill-treatment, of course. But if we find ourselves in a difficult situation over which we have little control, this might give us some hope and encouragement.
To read the whole passage for context, click here.
This is why James tells us to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” James 1: 2-4.
It’s why the apostle Paul said “we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” Romans 5: 2-5.
And 1 Peter 4:1, 12, 13 tell us “since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin”
“But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you”.
Adversity In the Bible: A Cause for Rejoicing
All these scriptures are telling us the same thing at the most basic level. Trials, suffering, being enslaved and afflicted is actually a cause for rejoicing. These things make us mature and complete, build character and enable us to stop sinning. And at the end of the day reveal God’s glory.
Being mature and complete and having character is “great possessions”. Because at that point we can enter our promise land and experience an abundant life. Because as Psalm 84: 11 says “no good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly”.
Or as 3 John 2 puts it: “. . . all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul” 3 John 2.
From what we’ve just read, there’s no greater blessing than to be blameless and to have a healthy soul. It is the doorway to all other blessings.
But there is a price to pay to become blameless or healthy in our soul. Or mature and complete in our character. We must endure trials and suffering, be enslaved and afflicted.
This is why James and Paul tell us to rejoice in trials. And why they in fact did so as well. Trials and suffering produce the character necessary to be blessed with every good thing and perfect gift.
When we suffer and experience trials, we will come out with the great possessions of blamelessness, character, maturity and completion. That is if we endure in righteousness through it.
Adversity in the Bible: An Opportunity
So trials, suffering, being enslaved and afflicted is a great OPPORTUNITY. But it’s not by any means automatic.
If we lose our faith, and our love for God, it will not produce character and blessings. It will result in bitterness and curses instead.
We see that Joseph (Genesis 39: 19-23), David (starting in1 Samuel 21: 10), Daniel (Daniel 6) and the three Hebrew boys (Daniel 3) made the most of being enslaved and/or afflicted. And they came out of it with great possessions inwardly. And this was the preparation for great possessions externally.
We will not attain to anything outwardly until we first attain to it inwardly. According to Psalm 84: 11, when our character lacks nothing, our lives lack nothing.
Whatever we want to possess outwardly, in a tangible way, we must first possess inwardly in a intangible way. So let’s go through trials, suffer enslavement and affliction well so we can attain those outward possessions!
From Foolish to Wise and Back Again
But attaining inward possessions and becoming mature is only the first step in the Christian experience. As we’ve seen, blamelessness and character bring rich rewards. But that’s not the end of the journey.
Once we’ve done the hard work to become wise and are experiencing the benefits, the next step is to give it up for Christ. In other words, to become a fool for Christ. We then have come full circle. We’ve gone from foolish to wise and back to foolish again.
And this is how we attain the kingdom of heaven. We exchange the blessing of this world for the kingdom of heaven. To learn more about this click here: What It Means to be a Fool for Christ.
To read another post similar to Adversity and Great Possessions in the Bible: The Link, see What Does the Bible Say About Trouble and Transformation?