155. Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, everything is laid bare before the eyes of the Lord to whom we must give account.

11 May 2021

“How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9

Genesis 39

20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, 

21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Jacob might not be a good father figure for his children.

Jacob deceived his older brother Esau to take the birthright (Genesis 25:31-33), and deceived his father Isaac to take the blessing for Esau (Genesis 27:19).

Jacob quarreled with his Uncle Laban, who was also his father-in-law, because the latter cheated him changing his wages ten times (Genesis 31:7).

He decided to run away from his Uncle Laban with his family and the flock (Genesis 31:4-5).

Years later, it happened that Joseph would be on the receiving end of disfavor of his brothers. Yet when his father Jacob sent him to check on his brothers in the field, he did not complain. When his brothers meant to harm him and then sell him to slave traders he did not fight back nor did he resist.

Joseph was Jacob's favorite of his children (Genesis 37:3), being born in old age with his first love Rachel (Genesis 29:18) who for long was barren.

When Joseph was set up and then falsely accused by the wife of his Egyptian master, he maintained his integrity and submitted being sent to prison (Genesis 39:11-20).

We may ask, where did Joseph get such calm disposition in the face of adversity?

It is said, the affection of parents during a child's formative years reinforce the strength of a child's character.

We go back to Joseph being Jacob's favorite, and his mother Rachel being Jacob's first love, and then Joseph being among older brothers, then he must have learned to show them respect. He must have grown up with love and care of Jacob and Rachel, and might have been reminded by his father Jacob to respect his older brothers, something that may have to do with Jacob's misgivings for deceiving Esau twice.

Joseph must also have been told by his father of his encounter with God (Genesis 28:13-15), putting the fear of God in the young mind of Joseph.

Jacob might have even told Joseph stories about his great grandfather Abraham and his grandfather Isaac, and referring to the Lord as God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac (Genesis 31:42).

Joseph was calm in face of adversity and had fear for God.

I know a man who has been implicated for some wrong doing and criminal and administrative complaints were filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Earlier, it was with the Civil Service Commission that administrative complaint was filed against him.

In the face of such affront to his reputation, he maintained his calm.

Before this, he was designated as Acting Director for a government office and he gave his best to improve employee productivity and the office was given an award.

Later, he was presented with job application documents which were incomplete, lacking training requirements. After the deadline for submission, the applicant attended training and subsequently submitted the training certificate and same was presented to the Acting Director stating training requirements have been satisfied.

The Acting Director had no recourse but to send back the application documents mentioning the rule that incomplete documents are not to be entertained and no additional documents may be submitted after the deadline.

It was at that point that this man faced trouble, he was made to explain his action, and after some time he was removed from the position and rendered contractual.

The concerned job applicant filed complaints with the CSC and then latter with the Office of the Ombudsman, accusing this man of discrimination.

The complaint with the CSC has been dismissed about 2 years ago, while the complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman were dismissed late last year.

Because this man was rendered contractual he lost social security benefits and his retirement benefits are hanging. He has made an appeal with the office requesting that he be kept whole as he was enjoying social security benefits before he was designated Acting Director, considering that he was not guilty of any wrong doing and that his performance was outstanding.

How can such a man do such a wicked thing and sin against God?

This man, years ago, went through severe famine and affliction, having no money for his children for college. By God's grace, his 2 daughters attended an exclusive school on free tuition. 

He has fear for the Lord that he cannot commit such act of discrimination as he had been accused, he merely adhered to office rules and policies.

Please pray with me for this man for God's favor on his appeal. Nobody would want to depend on his children come retirement.

Hebrews 4

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Lord, You gave Joseph success, yet made him experience disappointment - ""Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison." The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him" (Genesis 40:13-14, 23). Lord, in my disappointment and hardship I put my faith in You, for ".... the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love" (Psalm 33:18); in Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

"Wala ka sa Lolo ko. For him, everything is laid bare before the eyes of the Lord to whom we must give account.", this my children's children will say someday.

May you be blessed with God's Word.

Maraming salamat.