Today’s chapters:
Genesis 36, 37
Matthew 13
Psalms 10
The very first thing that we hear about Joseph’s character at the age of 17 is that:
Genesis 37:2d NLT
But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing.
Modern culture might label Joseph a “snitch”, but we don’t know how bad the things the brothers were doing here — or how much those things endangered the family, etc. We do see that Joseph “chose to speak about it”.
It is also clear that these half-brothers had chosen to make an enemy out of Joseph his whole life:
Genesis 37:4 NLT
But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him.
Notably, it can have a devastating effect on children’s development when a parent plays favorites and spoils a child, and it can make them a target:
Genesis 37:3 NLT
Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe.
Admittedly, Joseph’s telling his brothers his dream might have been innocent or it could have likely been boasting. There is no question that it seems either very foolish and naive or extremely prideful, (Depending on our own assumptions when we first read this, right?)
While reading this, I’m immediately reminded of wise advice from the New Testament book of James that we should consider when it comes to “choosing to speak” (especially when sharing our vision and our plans):
James 4:13-17 NLT
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Admittedly, these were dreams and visions sent from God to Joseph, not “his own pretentious plans”, but there is still wisdom in being silent unless God tells us to speak on such things.
There is something the world calls strategic secrecy that could also be rooted in the categories of humility and wisdom that the Bible teaches.
Strategic Secrecy
“Don’t tell your plans to your enemies” means that you should keep your future intentions and strategies confidential, especially from people who might actively try to hinder your progress or success; essentially, avoid giving your opponents any information that could allow them to sabotage your plans.
Key points about this phrase:
- Strategic secrecy: By not sharing your plans, you prevent your enemies from anticipating your moves and taking action to thwart them.
- Maintaining an advantage: Keeping your plans close to your chest gives you the element of surprise and allows you to react flexibly to situations.
Having a vision, a plan, and dedicating ourselves to hard work are wise:
Take time
- Proverbs 21:5: “The plans of the diligent lead to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty”
- Luke 14:28-33: Consider the cost before starting a project
Seek counsel
- Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed”
Commit to the Lord
- Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans”
- Proverbs 16:9: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps”
Plan for good
- Proverbs 14:22: “Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness”
Plan with pure motives
- Proverbs 21:5-8: Careful planning leads to success in the long run
- Biblical Leadership: God blesses planning that is pure-hearted, prayerful, and seeks to glorify Him
I can tell you from a mountain of personal experience, that God does bless and encourage planning. But how He gets us to our vision and purpose rarely looks exactly like we expected or planned for. Joseph definitely couldn’t have expected from these dreams the turmoil and chaos that was going to come into his life as part of fulfilling these dreams, right?
Lord, help us to not play favorites and create division by doing so — the consequences can cause unnecessary pain, heartache, and chaos, even if we know you will eventually turn it to good for those who love and obey you. Help us to repent and make amends where we have done this. And Lord, help us to not be jealous and envious — living in a victim mindset instead of a grateful mindset will lead us to justifying all kinds of wickedness and evil against others we have painted in our minds as an “enemy” when they are truly just an imperfect brother/neighbor trying to make their way through this journey as well. Help us to forgive and make amends where we have done this. Lord, help us to plan alongside with your wise counsel and the counsel of wise advisors, but there is nothing to gain in sharing our pearls with those who won’t appreciate it, who won’t help us get there, and who might oppose us. Lord, help us to be more quiet about what we are “going to do” and more active and diligent in what we are “doing to get there”. And keep us in your presence and on this narrow path as we fulfill the good works you have set before us. Correct us in your gentle mercy when we are tempted to be cystectomy or stray, for your glory not our own boasting. May we continue to be genuinely humble about this work you do and the blessings you provide, and to repent and make amends when we have not. Amen.
Harold J. Ballinger 