By Synthia Esther

The Biblical account is told of Jacob's love for his cherished son Joseph.   In fact Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons, because he was the son of his old age. - Genesis 37:3.   In honor of his love, Jacob made Joseph a varicolored tunic, often called by those who tell the Biblical story as a "coat of many colors."   Jealousy was in the hearts of all Jacob's other 11 sons, because he showed favoritism in his love towards Joseph.  They saw that their father loved Joseph more and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms. - Genesis 37:4   Lacking parental love can often lead to depression.

One day the jealous brothers had the opportunity to kill Joseph, but instead their first born brother Reuben, (who really wanted to return Joseph to his father), stated to cast him into a pit, and shed no blood. - Genesis 37:22  They took Reuben's advice, cast Joseph into a pit to die, and then sat down to eat!  That is how little they cared for their brother.  They were cold hearted, and wanted revenge.  While they were eating some Ishmaelites coming from the town of Judah, prompted them with a better idea.   "Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh." - Genesis 37:27  They sold Joseph without a second thought. They then killed a male goat and dipped the tunic coat belonging to Joseph in the blood, taking it back to their father Jacob proving his death.

SORROW AND DEPRESSION

Jacob examined the tunic and believed a wild beast had devoured Joseph and torn him to pieces. - Genesis 37:33   Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days.  All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted.  He stated in deep sorrow, "Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son, and he wept for him." - Genesis 37:35  Most modern Bible scholarship understands and defines "Sheol" to refer to the place where the soul of a man goes at death.   Sheol is noted to be found 66 times in the Old Testament.  Jacob felt emotional pain and turmoil, filled with depression over Joseph's supposed death.

FROM RAGS TO RICHES

God turned the evil committed against Joseph into good, as he eventually, after much hardship, was made a ruler of Egypt.  Second in command to the Pharaoh himself.    During a famine, it was Egypt who had food thanks to God giving Joseph the talent of dream interpretation.  The Pharaoh of Egypt had a dream which no one could interpret.  Due to God's providence, Joseph was summoned from a time in prison to interpret the Pharoah's dream.  Joseph ended up in the prison dungeon due to falsely being accused of rape.   Joseph told the Pharoah the meaning of his dreams, that there was to come a time when their would be dire famine in the land.  Joseph advised the Pharaoh to store food during the time of plenty, to prepare for the coming time of famine.  God prompted  Pharoah's heart to listen.  The Pharoah then placed Joseph in charge of the details.

GOD TURNED EVIL INTO GOOD - GENESIS 50:20

Jospeh was right as God gave him insight, and his dream interpretation came true.  Thanks be to the LORD our GOD.   Under Joseph's command food was in abundance during the famine in Egypt, while the rest of the land was doing without.   Joseph's brothers came to Egypt for food during the famine, and stood before him not knowing he was their brother.  In the end Joseph told them in who was, and his brothers asked for his forgiveness.  Joseph was moved by their changed heart and attitude, forgave them and moved his entire family to Egypt to care for them.  United once again with his father and family, Joseph went on to live one hundred and ten years of age, seeing the third generation of his sons.  God turned evil around for good, taking care of Joseph and his entire family.

Joseph's words speak of God's providential wisdom as he said, "And as for you (speaking to his brothers), you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." - Genesis 50:20   

No doubt during our present economy many may question God's providence.  Perhaps there are lessons for us all to learn, such as using wise stewardship of our money.   We should not covet more material gain, while there are those within the World living in dire need of food, water, and basic substanence.  There are lessons in life to be learned in all our circumstances. 

GOD HEARS YOUR CRY, AND HE SEE'S YOUR TEARS.

Depression is always difficult to endure.  Everyone of us has felt the pain of sorrow and depression at one time or another.  In fact Dr. David D. Burns confirms in his book, "Feeling Good - The New Mood Therapy" (page 9), "...Depression is so widespread it is considered the common cold of psychiatric disturbances.  But there is a grim difference between depression and a cold.  Depression can kill you."  During emotional pain, trial and tribulation, some people may experience thoughts of suicide, which is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.  In his book "Up From Depression" (page 15), Dr. Lenard Cammer states, "If you ever suspect that your relative is capable of destroying himself and possibly has stepped to the brink of it, act on your suspicions.  You may be closer to the truth than you think."  

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

If you are in the depths of despair and contemplating suicide please seek resource help from those who can help you.  Talk to someone about your problems.  Call a local church for help.  Jacob told his family what he was going through.  He voiced his woes.  If you feel you have no one to talk to, and thoughts of suicide seem a like an answer to your problems...Please call the National Suicide Hotline below.  They have counselors who care and can help you sort through your present pain and sorrow. 

NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINES USA - UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN TOLL-FREE/ 24 HOURS A DAY/ 7 DAYS A WEEK

 WHAT DOES GOD HAVE TO SAY CONCERNING YOUR BROKEN HEART FILLED WITH DEPRESSION?

"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no mibht he increaseth strength.  Even the youths shall faint and weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:29-31

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." - Psalm 147:3

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30

"It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because HIS compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." - Lamentations 3:22-24

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - Romans 5:1-5

"Cast your burden upon the LORD, and HE shall sustain thee; HE shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." - Psalm 55:22

"Let thy mercy. O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee." - Psalm 33:18-22

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." - Psalm 27:13-14

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word." - Psalm 119:114

""Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil." - Jeremiah 17:17

"But if we hope for that we see not, then we with patience wait for it.  What shall we then say to these things?  If GOD be for us, who can be against us?  Nay, in al these things we are more than conquerors hrough HIM that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD, which is in CHRIST JESUS our LORD." - Romans 8:25, 31, 37-39

"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in HIM; and HE sahll bring it to pass.  And HE shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for HIM: fret not thyself because of HIM who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." -  Psalm 37:5-7

"The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is they shade upon thy right hand.  The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: HE shall preserve thy soul.  The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." - Psalm 121:5-8

"And HE said, MY presense shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest." - Exodus 33:14

GOD DESIRES TO GIVE YOU A LIFE FILLED WITH HOPE AND A FUTURE!

God desires to give you a life filled with hope and a future - Jere. 29:11  Trust in Him, read and reread His words of wisdom, knowledge, and love.   Have faith in our Father's mighty hand of providence, for He is your rock and fortress.  What God did for Joseph and Jacob, He can do for you!   "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the LORD for ever; for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength; ..." -  Isaiah 26:3-4

Copyright - 2009,  Synthia Esther.  All Rights Reserved.