Commentary from Papa JoeMac:
#15 - This Don't Compute - Genesis 37-47“This Don’t Compute” is an understatement! Joseph’s rise to fame from slave to ruler simply doesn’t add up. Not only were the odds against Joseph winning – but the odds were he could not break even! At every turn, he experienced obstacles and temptations! But, Joseph’s focus led to winning. He focused on “God, what should I do?” and not “Why does this always happen to me?”
If anyone could have lay down and died because of circumstances, it was Joseph – and none would have blamed him. He was hated by his jealous brothers. He was sold into slavery. He was dragged across the deserts in chains like an animal and sold like ‘used goods’. He was propositioned and wrongly accused by Potiphar’s wife. He was thrown in prison and forgotten. He helped a fellow prisoner and again forgotten. So, how could Joseph win? Simply put, God had a plan for Joseph just as He has for each of us. It may not compute to us, but to God, it is simple.
Are our lives similar to Joseph’s? We often do ungodly things and we suffer the consequences. However, at times, through no fault of our own, even if we do the right thing, we are blamed. Have you ever been charged with a crime you did not commit? I was told by an attorney that it is estimated that approximately 10 to 15% of the people in prison are innocent. Today, advancements in DNA comparisons are leading to innocent people being released after having been imprisoned for decades! Did you ever help someone and then get sued? Ever been in the wrong place at the wrong time and suffered for it even though you did no wrong? It happens more than we think.
Looking at Joseph’s early life, he was arrogant. He was his father’s favorite and he knew it. But as Joseph suffered through trials, he grew in wisdom and in gratitude. His positive attitude won the hearts of everyone he met and he gave thanks to God instead of questioning God. To us, that simply doesn’t compute. Too many times, when things go wrong, the first words out of our mouths are “God, why me?” In actuality, our first thoughts should be “God, why not me, but thanks be to You for being with me during this time.” The dismal prisons of Egypt could not quench Joseph’s godly spirit! He even gained favor with the chief jailer and was placed in charge! The chief jailer did not have to worry because he knew that Joseph would do what was right! Now, that doesn’t compute! Joseph could have been depressed and hardened his heart but even in prison, each and every task he performed he did it as if he were doing it for the Lord. God knew Joseph’s heart and attitude and turned bleak situations to ones of favor! How would we respond? Would we come out winners as Joseph did or would we go into the ‘woe is me’ mode? To human logic, feeling sorry for ourselves computes. To win as Joseph did does not compute to most of us.
Joseph’s story is one of great hope to all – regardless of our circumstance! Joseph’s rise from an Egyptian slave to the second highest official in Egypt is an example of God’s work when the heart is turned towards Him. How many times do the world’s most violent criminals become meek as lambs when touched by God? Does that compute? To mankind, it doesn’t but I have personally witnessed this in prisons. Big, strong, men crying like babies, ministering to others! Not because they were locked up and hopeless but because they asked God to help them make their lives productive for Him and help them to serve others – and He did – regardless of where they were! To God, it’s a natural thing and by God’s logic, it does add up. How many alcoholics and hard drug users have testimonies of how their lives went from stealing and robbing in order to support their habits to recovery and giving back by ministering to and counseling those still in the gutter of life? Does that compute? No – it does not compute to a heart and mind that is hard towards God and His ways. Yes – it does compute to a heart and mind that knows that God works for the good. God speaks to you just as He did to the prophet Jeremiah when He said, “I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.” Now that, my friends, computes!!
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