Joseph’s dungeon suffering is a righteous path to Honor
A dungeon is a room or cell in which prisoners are held, especially underground. Prisoners supposed to be convicted offenders or those accused of some grievous offenses, which are yet to be decided. However, not all held in dungeons are guilty of their accusations, some are innocent. That was the case with Joseph and Jeremiah.
Joseph was put in the dungeon for the offense of fornication, which he did not commit (Gen. 40:15): While Jeremiah was put in the dungeon because he warned Israel against rebellion (Jer. 38, 39).
Many people in prison today are not guilty of their conviction but were there for a righteous cause. The world’s judicial system is corrupt, and they have been bought by corrupt governments. Many innocent people have served decades in prison and released later only to be found not guilty of the offense for which they were charged.
Righteous or Christian suffering should not be a surprise to any Christian. That is part of our cross, our mark of partaking in the suffering of Christ. However, Apostle Peter states that
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters (as a sinner).
“Yet if any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf…” (1Pet.4:15-16).
Christians should strive hard to avoid the dungeon of sin. It is like a great depression; only the grace of God dishes a person out of it. Display attitudes that will earn you your release and promotion.
On the other hand, many have been acquitted even when they were guilty of an offence. They were let lose to perpetrate more evil in the society. Unfortunately, these corrupt and evildoers are in our churches today and the church leaders don’t rebuke them. A true Christian, who would not tolerate corruption and indiscipline in the church bears the brunt and is tagged as being wicked.
Our Lord Jesus was persecuted, opposed, attacked, despised, disgraced, and killed for the truth. A man of good course: alleviating the suffering of the less privileged and giving hope to the hopeless. He was accused of treason; a criminal was released in His stead, while He was crucified. The situation was far worse than being in the dungeon.
Why should an innocent person be put into this situation? Sometimes for divine reason. David said, “Is there not a cause?” Your imprisonment may be in the form of financial, physical, spiritual, material, health, or an emotional predicament. Whatever reason one finds him/herself in any form of imprisonment, the attitude you display determines your fate.
Whatever or whoever is responsible for your imprisonment (self-caused, temptation or, affliction) wants to silence you, kill your dream, frustrate you, or take away your life. You must not give room for satan to worsen your situation by keeping you in the prison for life.
Joseph was optimistic that one day he would get out of that dungeon and get his freedom; hence, he told the butler to remember him.
“But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house.For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also, I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.” (Gen. 40:14-15).
Later in verse 23 of that chapter, the Bible stated that the chief butler did not remember Joseph but forgot him.
How long is too long? The Bible stated that the chief butler did not remember Joseph until two full years. The chief butler would not remember him because it was not yet time. No time is too long or short before our God. He controls time, He has appointed time for all things.
Our faith father Abraham at age 100 had Isaac after 25 years he received the promise of a child. His faith never wavers. That 25 years before Isaac was born became a story, a thing of the past. Abraham did not say because the time was long and then give the child back to God. It is time when it is time, and it cannot be time when it is not time. Time belongs to God.
The right appointed time for the fulfillment of Joseph’s dream was two full years after the interpretation of the chief butler’s dream. Joseph passed through dungeon route; so must you to arrive at the place of your destiny.
Throughout the imprisonment of Joseph and Jeremiah, there was never a time they were found deficient of any Godly attributes. Whatever type of imprisonment you find yourself now, hope and believe that God will deliver you in a due course. It may tarry but wait for His right timing (Hab. 2:3; 1Cor. 10:13).
In the end, Joseph rose from dungeon to be the Prime Minister in the strange land of Egypt: while Jeremiah got out of dungeon to be singled out for freedom in the whole land of Israel. Concerning our Lord Jesus, the Bible says,
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. (Phil. 2:9-11)
This name Jesus has been given to you. He is the only one that can deliver you from the dungeon of life. Rejoice, since you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
As you have just celebrated Easter, a celebration remembering the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, you have a hope of reigning with him one day in heaven. What next? Start living your life for Christ. Be dead to sin, crucify all you members that are in sin, and start living a life that is worthy of His praise.
Prayers
- Thank God for His love towards us by given us His only begotten Son who died and delivered us from sin and its power.
- Pray that every moment that you pass through in the journey of your destiny to be a divine path to the place of your honor.
- Pray for grace not to suffer as a sinner
- Pray for grace to live a life that is righteous so that you will not find yourself in the dungeon of sin
- Pray that when you are being persecuted, opposed, attacked, despised, disgraced for a righteous cause that God will empower you and give you the strength to endure, no matter how long until He delivers you.
- Pray that God will uphold you when you are in any form of the dungeon, empowering you with the right attitude you will need to come out of it vindicated
- Pray that God will remember you for good
- Pray that your helper God has divinely provided, he’ll not forget you but will remember you and locate you to deliver that divine help to you.
- Pray, as our Lord Jesus, Joseph and Jeremiah were exalted and promoted to the place of honor, let God promote you to the place of your honor.
- Pray that the power of resurrection will awaken and revive every dead issue, allowing that which are to be alive in your life.
By Lawrence Abitogun
Lawrenceabitogun.com