“And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him” (Acts 7:9).
TEXT — Acts 7:9-16
Message
Have you ever been a victim of an unholy alliance of people envious of your superior social background or skills? Your pain was severe, and you probably retreated into your shell, promising to have little or nothing to do with them in the future. Many people have travelled the same road as the case of Joseph, cited by Stephen in his defence before the Sanhedrin.
Joseph’s rise from slavery to the palace is well known in the Bible. He was sold into slavery by his brothers, who were jealous of the favoured treatment he was receiving from their father and to prevent the actualisation of his dream of becoming their leader. Nonetheless, the Lord was with Joseph and endowed him with wisdom that earned him favour in the sight of others. He later became the governor of Egypt under Pharaoh (Genesis 39:1-6; 41:37-45)
The first lesson we can learn from this story is that carnal comparison is the breeding ground for envy and jealousy, which John Dryden described as the jaundice of the soul. We should be content with whatever God has given us (Psalm 37:1; Philippians 4:10-13). We should also not be envious for the sake of other people (Numbers 11:25-29). Second, the unregenerated man will always revolt against God’s chosen leaders. This was the experience of Joseph and Jesus Christ (John 1:11). Third, the rejection by man does not necessarily cancel God’s blessings in an individual’s life. In all his afflictions, the Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:2,21-23). Not until we accept Christ as our Saviour can we enjoy God’s abiding presence (Psalm 91:15). The negative experiences turned out to be God’s route to elevate Joseph to the destined height. This is why the Bible says all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
If you find yourself in the valley because of the envy of others, do not despair. Through faith and patience, you will inherit the promise (Hebrews 6:12).
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
