The Bait of Satan: Living Free from the Deadly Trap of Offense

by John Bevere

I imagine it never crossed Joseph’s mind until it was all over that this was God’s process to prepare him to rule. How would he use his future authority over these brothers who betrayed him? Joseph was learning obedience by what he suffered. His brothers were skillfully wielded instruments in the hand of God. Would Joseph hold fast to the promise, seeking God for its purpose? Perhaps when Joseph had his dreams he saw them as a confirmation of the favor on his life. He had not yet learned that authority is given to serve, not to set you apart. Often in these training periods we focus on the impossibility of our circumstances instead of the greatness of God. As a result we are discouraged and need to blame someone, so we look for the one we feel is responsible for our despair. When we face the fact that God could have prevented our whole mess—and didn’t—we often blame Him.

Joseph could have been bitter and offended against his family and God. Instead he stayed faithful and God was training Joseph tto assume ruling Egypt