But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. Genesis 37:4
Hate is a negative emotion set to counter the love motion in one’s life. It is a passionate contempt for someone. It is disruptive and destructive. Joseph was loved by his father but his brothers hated him.
Just as Jacob gave Joseph a coat of many colours to affirm this love, God has given you a robe of righteousness. The enemy has no new tricks, because you are loved by the Father, he dislikes you intensely.
Satan is set to attack whatever source of love in your life: be it God, your spouse, children, friends or even loved ones. He unleashes antipathy to substitute feelings of empathy or sympathy. He seeks to steal, kill and destroy. Remember Jesus said “I and my father are one”. John 10:30. He further said:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. John 15:18
You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:2
Oh that you will stand firm to the end!
Joseph was hated to the point no kind words were spoken to him. No soothing words. No polite gestures. No friendly hugs. No playful jokes. No fun games. Peace eluded him. He was stripped of his glory and beaten so much so he lost his joy. He was thrown into a pit and later sold to slavery. His life was gradually ebbing away. They stole his identity, killed his liberty and destroyed his credibility.
You may be fighting for your peace as you read this piece and the only reason is, you are loved. I don’t know where you are right now. You might just be at the stage where folks are being impolite, unfriendly, and unruly towards you or perhaps you’ve been stripped, beaten and thrown in a pit, the deep – into obscurity; you may have even been sold… betrayed..denied. I can hear the sobs, pants and quivers. Jesus hears and he cares.
Here’s one reason you should endure. 22 years later, due to a famine Joseph’s brothers arrived in Egypt where he was. God will orchestrate events to connect you with your enemies. Aren’t you glad to know they will show up in your future except the tables will be turned? Joseph said:
As far as you’re concerned, you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20
Friend, your present pain is working out future pleasures for you! No matter what you are going through, be rest assured God is in it and he’s tuning, tightening and turning things for your favour.
Monumental breakthroughs will be accomplished in and through your life. It will save not just a few but many. You will become a household name. A formidable brand. A force to be reckoned with.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
It’s all worked out friend. You are loved!