Hated with a Passion
Gen 37:4 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. Gen 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
The hatred for the Christian is motivated by the special love and protections available only to God’s chosen. There is good reason for it. From the beginning, the Bible says the Devil led a mutiny to protest against the authority of God resulting in being banished with an army of fallen angels. A place without any opportunity for repentance in eternal damnation now awaits them. This appears unfair. Why have ordinary men been given the opportunity to fail, rebel repetitively and then the chance to repent? Why is man so favored by God? This is a deep mystery that none has been able to unravel ? Why does God fuss so much over man ? Angels are mystified at the mercies reserved for man.
Job 7:17 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psa 144:3 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
Legions of demons, fallen hosts and wicked trinity of the devil, antichrist and false prophet also ask these questions but with unbridled hatred. Instructions are given from hell that man must be continually attacked to bring shame to the creator. The favored ones in Christ are to be specially hated because of the favor they enjoy.
Today, let your thoughts reflect on this hatred and what it means. The Bible says we should rejoice when we are targeted wickedly for the truth we bear as this gives testimony to our identity in Christ. The story of Joseph reveals that this hatred can have value as God used it to cause the brothers of Joseph to release him into a far more glorious destiny than would have been achieved even if he inherited all the cattle and lands of Jacob. If they knew they were helping Joseph by selling him to Ishmaelites they would not have done so. If they knew they were moving Christ forward into His glorious destiny to defeat principalities and powers and be with God in glory, Satan and his hosts would have left Him alone. We need help to react well to hatred so as not to miss the realization of great blessings especially reserved for the hated.
Instead, we must pray for our enemies conversion but also to do what God has empowered them to do … and do it quickly. Thank God that all things including things done in hatred must all work together for the good of those in Christ. If you are not in Christ, what are you still waiting for ? Come to Him today. Its all good. Remember the evidence of your divine encounter is the joy of the Lord; the choice to rejoice that can withstand even a passionate hatred and shattered dreams. Joseph did not murmur in all that he went through. Child of God, stop murmuring. God has something glorious ahead.
Song.
‘Tis mystery all the immortal dies! Who can explore His strange designs?
In vain the first born seraph tries to sound the depth of love divine!
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore
Let angel minds inquire no more.
Words: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Prayer: In an environment of hostility, Joseph receives dreams of glory. Lord may I remain positioned not to miss the dreams you are giving me. Amen
The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa
