The story of Joseph, Jacob’s first son with Rachel, is one of my favorites (Gen. 37 to 50). If you haven’t read it lately, find a cozy spot, curl up with a cup of coffee or tea or whatever sooths you and let your imagination take you to circa 1915 BC. You will find love, envy, betrayal, deceit, loyalty, false accusation, imprisonment, prophecy, famine, promotion, reconciliation, confession and finally a relocation lasting 400 years. Even the theatre and motion picture industry have consulted the Bible in their attempts to present another classic inspired by Holy Spirit. In fact, in 1972, this amazing account was made into a play entitled, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and in 1999 it became a motion picture by the same name.
I am sure at times you have had a certain scripture running around in your mind. Well, I did, and it was Gen. 41:52 where Joseph names his second son.
”And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” KJV
It would seem that one would become unfruitful while in affliction or suffering. What does fruitful actually mean in this verse? Let’s take a further look in Strong’s Concordance.
In the Hebrew section, 6504 means: to break through, spread or separate (one’s self) disperse, divide, be out of joint, part scatter (abroad), separate, sever, stretch; 6509 reads bring forth, be, cause to be, make fruitful, grow, increase. These words certainly describe what happened to Joseph. His brothers separated him from their family, he was dispersed to Egyptian slave traders, falsely severed from his master’s home, he was brought forth because God was with him; he was fruitful as his master’s attendant; grew popular in prison and finally, his position was increased to second in command over Egypt.
The balance of the verse identified where this fruitfulness took place: in the land of his affliction.
Referring again to Strong’s Concordance, 6040 means depression, misery, trouble.
Separation, division, fruitfulness, prospering, suffering, affliction, trouble, suffering and the like, still remain with us as seasons of life.
I remember a middle-age wife and mother from a former church whose husband left her unexpectedly. Looking at them each Sunday and seeing him participating in church activities, one would never have thought such a thing could happen. But . . . after a while, she started a group ministry for those who experienced the same suffering. Another example, is a well-known author and artist who was crippled in a diving accident and was left a paraplegic. She began a ministry for the disabled.
Joseph didn’t know that his affliction would save his family from a famine or how long he would be second-in-command in Egypt. Considering what I think is my suffering, it certainly doesn’t compare to saving my family or being accountable to the leader of the greatest nation on earth. I must ask myself, “Am I suffering and, if so, what does it accomplish?”
I am my husband’s care giver and no Florence Nightingale by any stretch of the imagination. I don’t see myself as being fruitful, but most days try to practice the vows of for better or worse, in sickness or in health. There are times when I want to change my name after answering, “Patty, can you bring me a coke, can you please check the thermostat, one of the dogs want to go out.” I don’t consciously remember calling on, if you will, patience, kindness, self-control, and, of course, love to get through the rough spots—but, I am here to tell you they responded! Let me clarify . . . my husband is a precious gift from God to me. I wouldn’t have him any other way!
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.” Rom. 8:16-17 NIV
I believe the answer is, if I am in Christ, then I can be fruitful regardless of the land of my affliction. At this time of my life, I can choose to be Christlike or not. But–I don’t want to choose. I don’t choose to breathe. It is a natural action as long as I am living. Because his Spirit lives within me and gives me all I need, then I want to be unconsciously Christlike . . . just like breathing.
