(Gen 43:32 AMP) And [the servants] set out [the food] for [Joseph] by himself, and for [his brothers] by themselves, and for those Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, according to the Egyptian custom not to eat food with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”, by continuing in the story of Joseph. Last week we left off with Joseph storming out of the room to release his emotions with tears. When he was done crying he washed his face, regained his composure, returned to the room with his brothers, and said, “Serve the meal!” The meal was served and everyone ate, but the seating arrangement is worth mentioning. Joseph’s brothers sat at one table, the Egyptians present sat at another table, and Joseph sat at a third table by himself. Commenting on this verse, scholars explain how the Egyptians were very superstitious people and would therefore have no social dealings with any non-Egyptians. The Egyptians could not even use the knife of a Greek because they might have reason to suspect it had cut the flesh an animal they considered sacred. I understand what the scholars say, but when it all comes down to it, this was simply prejudice and racism.
The Egyptians knew Joseph was a Hebrew so he could not sit with them. The brothers did not know Joseph was a Hebrew so he could not sit with them. Joseph was too Jewish to sit with the Egyptians, but too Egyptian to sit with the Jews. So there he was, by himself, in the middle, all alone. He was the second in command of all of Egypt, he was responsible for the feeding of millions of people, he single-handedly saved Egypt, but he was still not good enough to sit with the Egyptians. Joseph could not even sit with his servants. That’s how ridiculous racism is.
I can identify with Joseph. I was the first of my family born in the United States. I was raised in Brooklyn and although I was a born citizen of this country, many U.S. citizens treated me like an immigrant. I was too Dominican to be accepted amongst Americans. Sadly, I got the reverse treatment from Dominicans. They saw me as too American to be Dominican. Like Joseph, I did not cleanly fit in, but it worked out for my good. Since I did not cleanly fit in any group I could not be locked into anyone’s box. God used my diversity for His glory.
On another note, Joseph never complained. He never got depressed over the fact that he had to eat alone. He was never disenfranchised over his treatment. He never murmured to God about the fact that he did not fit in. Fit in or not, he was still blessed. God had blessed him every step of the way. The blessing on his life overrode any racial prejudice. The blessing on his life caused him to rise above those who might have looked down on him. The blessing on his life was the difference maker.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
- Racism is an ugly reality that raises its head from time to time – even in the church. But racism does not stop a person focused on their God-given assignment.
- If you believe God and you believe His blessing is on your life, it will cause you to rise above any challenge, including racism.
- When you know who you are, you are not moved by the opinions of others. You are only moved by the opinion of God and what He has called you to do.
- You must become comfortable with a certain level of discomfort. Sometimes the blessing and the favor of God will cause you to operate in positions where you just don’t fit in. You are not there to fit in, you are there to make a difference.
- God did not call you to be comfortable in every situation, He called you to purpose!
- Successful believers don’t get caught up focusing on things that are not important. People are going to have opinions about you, but you can’t allow the opinions or perceptions of others to derail you from your destiny.
- If you keep your focus on your divine assignment, and you don’t allow people to shift you from that focus, God will be able to use you to change the world!
- People don’t have to like you, but they are going to have to do what you say when you operate in The Blessing.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. The more I study your grace and the more I learn about living by faith, the more I realize how much focus I need. Things are not always going to be easy. People are not always going to like me. The journey is not always going to be comfortable. But come what may, I know You are with me and You will never leave me. Your presence brings with it Your comfort, Your peace, and Your power. So Father, by Your grace, I am determined to make the impact I was born to make. Your blessing is on me to accomplish my divine assignment and nothing can stop me, because stopping me would mean stopping You, and You cannot be stopped. Racism can’t stop me. The opinions of others can’t stop me. Maltreatment can’t stop me. Nothing can stop me. People may not be able to fit me in their little box, but it’s only because You don’t want me to get boxed in. Like Paul, I will become all things to all people, so that through me some might get saved. I enter this day and this week focused on my purpose, empowered by Your grace, fueled by Your love, enveloped with Your presence, and with the benefit of Your blessing. As I live this way I am too focused on my divine assignment to waste my time worrying about anything else. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
