The story of Joseph’s sale into slavery is quite dramatic. His brother’s saw him coming and decided to capture him and get rid of him so that he would no longer anger them. They threw him in a bit, and then sold him to Midianite traders for 20 pieces of silver. They dipped his coat of many colors in goat’s blood and told Israel that he must have been killed by animals. Israel is distraught over the loss of his son, and is inconsolable. We do not hear what happened to Joseph in this particular passage, but it is obvious that Joseph does not see his dreams fulfilled in this moment. Instead, the dream is put on hold, and there is no resolution to the tension that exists between Joseph and those who think he is an arrogant rascal. The last word for now is that the Midianites sell him to Potiphar in Egypt.
An aside in the story of Joseph is the account of Judah and his sons. Judah took a Canaanite wife, Shua, and had three sons with her: Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah took a wife for Er named Tamar. Er was evil, and was judged by God and killed. Judah gave Tamar to Onan to bear children, and Onan did not fulfill his brotherly duty and he died as well. Judah instructed Tamar to wait until Shelah was old enough to marry, and that he would give her to him as a wife. But Judah was worried that Shelah would die as well, and conveniently forgot about Tamar.
Tamar saw the injustice, and posed as a prostitue when Judah was passing by. She slept with him in exchange for a goat, but required a pledge from him, his signet and cord and staff. He sent a servant back to get his pledge, but she was not longer there and no one could find her. Months later, Tamar was accused of adultery and was to be judged, but she revealed the pledge items to those judging her, and Judah realized he had been served some vigilante justice. When Judah did not give her to his third son, Shelah, she took matters into her own hands, and made an heir with Judah. He confessed his injustice and she went free.
Two stories, two accounts of gratification delayed. Joseph was detoured from his destiny by injustice, as was Tamar. Joseph would not find his destiny fulfilled for years, but Tamar took matters into her own hands and got justice in a short period of time. Regardless of what dreams you have, and the destiny God has placed before you, you can trust that God will get you there, no matter how convoluted the path may become. God will not forget you, but will take you to your destiny if your faith in Him does not fade!
Devoted To You 