Forsaken?

One of the things my brother wrote on facebook during his recent despondency was that he felt forsaken by God because things were going so badly for him. My ensuing conversations with him have been the inspiration for my most recent posts.

One of the things I appreciate about the Old Testament is the many accounts of very real people—people who sin against God and are restored to fellowship with Him, people who endure hardship and remain faithful to God, people who are swayed by their emotions but resolve to worship God. 

Joseph is an example of one of those who endured great hardships, yet remained faithful to God. I cannot help but wonder, however, if there were times when Joseph felt forsaken by God, although never recorded in Scripture. But look at his life! Surely he had every right to question, to complain.

Here he was, the favored son of his father, given that famous multi-colored coat that denoted him as the privileged son, the one who did not have to work in the fields but was being trained to manage the estate, so to speak. He had those prophetic dreams which he shared with his family, the dreams that had his brothers and even his parents bowing before him.

Joseph's brothers were so jealous! I can understand why, can't you? After all, he was their younger brother, yet he was obviously being given the birthright, an honor rightfully belonging to the eldest son. They probably complained about him while working in the fields.

Then one day the object of their complaints appeared wearing that blasted coat with all that it symbolized. How quickly they turned their frustrations into action against their half brother! Their original intent was to kill him, but instead they threw him into a pit at Reuben's suggestion. Then they calmly ate their lunches while venting their feelings, while plotting how to rid themselves of "this dreamer". Surely Joseph heard their hateful words. Surely he prayed to God for deliverance.

But God didn't rescue him. Instead, He allowed him to be sold to the Ishmaelite and Midianite traders. I can just picture him turning his head and looking back with longing, nursing deeply hurt feelings and wondering, "Has God forsaken me?"

When he was sold, his training paid off and he was able to prove himself in Potiphar's home. God blessed Potiphar through Joseph and he was put in charge of the whole household. Blessed in spite of everything.

But wait! Joseph was good-looking and well-built, something Potiphar's wife couldn't help but notice. However, she did more than notice Joseph; she repeatedly attempted to seduce him. He resisted, saying, "How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?" Joseph's circumstances had not turned him from God; perhaps they even drove him to greater dependence on God.

Regardless, Potiphar's wife did not like his rejection and lied to her  husband. Subsequently, Joseph was imprisoned. It's interesting that he was sent to the prison where the king's prisoners were sent, where apparently Potiphar was captain of the guard.

Joseph didn't deserve prison, he'd been falsely accused, yet there he was, suffering for doing what was right. I wonder if he was overcome with despondency, if he ever cried out to God, "Why have you forsaken me?"

Yet God loved Joseph and caused him to find favor in the eyes of the prison-keeper. Soon he was put in charge of all the prisoners. Eventually he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's former cupbearer and baker, interpretations that proved correct. Knowing the cupbearer would be returned to his former position, Joseph asked him to remember him to Pharaoh.

But two whole years went by before he was called from the prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, two whole years before the cupbearer remembered Joseph's wisdom. What disappointment for Joseph! At first, I'm sure he waited eagerly for the summons that never came. Could he have felt forsaken by God, not just the cupbearer?

Yet Joseph never wavered in his faith. He always gave God credit for every accomplishment, for every interpretation. And when made second in command over the land of Egypt, he remained faithful to God. The names of his sons reflected his acceptance of all that had gone before: He named his firstborn Manasseh, "for God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house"; his second son was named Ephraim "for God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

Joseph's faithfulness to God was not dependent on his circumstances. Certainly he could have joined Paul in saying, "...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11-13).

[Read the whole account of Joseph's life in

Genesis 29-50]