I've so enjoyed the study of Joseph, thus far. For me, it has been much like finding a treasure chest, cautiously opening the lid, peering in trying to see everything the chest holds. Layers upon layers, depths upon depths, discovering and analyzing every part of his life recounted in the Bible like examining small gemstones or more accurately witnessing the most beautiful diamond being formed amidst the ugliest circumstances.
"Natural diamonds are formed about 100 miles beneath the earth's surface where carbon rich rocks are melted by the heat of the earth's mantle, a layer of liquid lava rock, and are compressed by the enormous pressure of the many miles of earth above them. As the earth churns, the heated rock may move upwards away from the heat and cool over time, which can form diamonds if the conditions are just right. It takes hundreds of thousands of years for the process to take place." (ehow.google) To simplify--high temperature, high pressure.
Now, let's consider Joseph. Comparing the process of diamond formation to the metamorphosis of the Boy Dreamer to the Prince of Egypt, if you will, is not a far reach. Imprisoned likely felt like being 100 miles under the earth. The flaming arrows of betrayal and injustice were sure to burn with the heat of liquid lava rock. Those "fiery trials" referred to in 1 Peter spring to mind. When these trials appear endless and unrelenting, it seems as if you've been in the heat of battle for billions of years. The enormous pressure of the unfair accusations, pressure of the responsibilities exacted on a slave, pressure on the prisoner responsible for all of the other prisoners, pressure on the prisoner standing before Pharaoh to interpret dreams, pressure on the man charged with saving Egypt from seven years of famine. All that pressure likely equates to the "pressure of many miles of earth." Essentially, the weight of the world. High temperature, high pressure.
O, but, the wealth that awaited Joseph on the other side of those horrible circumstances. Soon, much like the diamond, Joseph moved upwards from the heat and his life began to cool. He found crystals of peace, stability. A life rich with family, his own wife and sons, in addition to a restored relationship with the family of his youth. His reputation and integrity were once again intact. He found wealth not only in material things, which he had plenty of you can be certain, but the man of God, the man of maturity, the man of strength that came forth in the end was worth more than silver and gold.
The same holds true for you, my friend. When you have the weight of the world on your shoulders--financial pressure, work-related pressure, parental pressure, spiritual battles, betrayals and injustices, things completely out of your control--Hold On! "He gives beauty for ashes, strength for fear, gladness for mourning and peace for despair." (Isaiah 61:3)
1 Peter 4:12,13 "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world."
"Natural diamonds are formed about 100 miles beneath the earth's surface where carbon rich rocks are melted by the heat of the earth's mantle, a layer of liquid lava rock, and are compressed by the enormous pressure of the many miles of earth above them. As the earth churns, the heated rock may move upwards away from the heat and cool over time, which can form diamonds if the conditions are just right. It takes hundreds of thousands of years for the process to take place." (ehow.google) To simplify--high temperature, high pressure.
Now, let's consider Joseph. Comparing the process of diamond formation to the metamorphosis of the Boy Dreamer to the Prince of Egypt, if you will, is not a far reach. Imprisoned likely felt like being 100 miles under the earth. The flaming arrows of betrayal and injustice were sure to burn with the heat of liquid lava rock. Those "fiery trials" referred to in 1 Peter spring to mind. When these trials appear endless and unrelenting, it seems as if you've been in the heat of battle for billions of years. The enormous pressure of the unfair accusations, pressure of the responsibilities exacted on a slave, pressure on the prisoner responsible for all of the other prisoners, pressure on the prisoner standing before Pharaoh to interpret dreams, pressure on the man charged with saving Egypt from seven years of famine. All that pressure likely equates to the "pressure of many miles of earth." Essentially, the weight of the world. High temperature, high pressure.
O, but, the wealth that awaited Joseph on the other side of those horrible circumstances. Soon, much like the diamond, Joseph moved upwards from the heat and his life began to cool. He found crystals of peace, stability. A life rich with family, his own wife and sons, in addition to a restored relationship with the family of his youth. His reputation and integrity were once again intact. He found wealth not only in material things, which he had plenty of you can be certain, but the man of God, the man of maturity, the man of strength that came forth in the end was worth more than silver and gold.
The same holds true for you, my friend. When you have the weight of the world on your shoulders--financial pressure, work-related pressure, parental pressure, spiritual battles, betrayals and injustices, things completely out of your control--Hold On! "He gives beauty for ashes, strength for fear, gladness for mourning and peace for despair." (Isaiah 61:3)
1 Peter 4:12,13 "Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in His suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing His glory when it is revealed to all the world."
Comments
Post a Comment