JOE JACOBSON
Copyright © Jules Dervaes
May 12, 1982
Where have all the heroes gone? Today many decry the loss of real heroes. Our society seems strangely silent in teaching youth who, what, and where are real heroes. Would you be able to recognize a true hero if you met on? Of all the people whom you know, could you even pick one out of the crowd?
About thirty years ago, when I first heard about the life of this man, I missed the true sense of heroism in his life. All that I recalled for the longest time was that he had been a victim of some very unpleasant and, I thought, very unfortunate circumstances. However, today, I am convinced that he is the truest of heroes, and I hold him in the highest regard as a hero among heroes. It is inspiring to see his courageous attitude in facing and responding to life’s trials.
His name is Joe Jacobson. As a child he was very blessed. Born into a large, very religious family, he was the apple of his father’s eye. He tried hard to live up to his father’s great expectations. He was a good and responsible youth.
But what should have been an idyllic setting turned into a bitter, caustic scenario. There arose the ugly head of sibling rivalry and Joe’s happy childhood quickly turned sour. His brothers despised him as a snitch and a goody-two-shoes. For his goodness and concern he was rewarded with disdain and hatred. Ostracized, he had to endure his brothers’ hatred which grew to the point of mortal violence.
After Joe turned seventeen, there came a sudden and traumatic change in his life. Taken by physical force from his childhood home, and from the love of his father, he was made subject to strangers. He was no longer free to live a normal life but was made to work in a totally unfamiliar and unfriendly environment. For the next ten years, Joe had no choice in any part of his life; he absolutely had to do everything he was told and exactly as he was told to do. Finally, after slaving in his work, things were looking up and becoming brighter as his condition was improving.
Then another blow sent Joe reeling. Joe was accused of rape and imprisoned. His feet were shackled and his neck was put in irons. Now he had no freedom at all. His surroundings were wretched. His companions were vile and hard-nosed criminals. It was a depressing and hopeless place. For three years, this was his environment.
Now Joe had no country, no home, no family, no freedom. He was only thirty. He was, in many respects, a nobody. And, at this point, his life looked to be in ruins. It seemed to be a pitiful life that had led nowhere. But wait! There IS good news! Because this is the story of Joseph, son of Jacob, a man of principle, a man of faith.
I don’t need to tell you the rest of Joseph’s well-known life. You can find the whole story in Genesis 37-48. But I do want to point out some vital lessons we can learn from his example.
Some might say that the events I just related were the low lights. On the outside, it was definitely not a very pretty life: the mistreatment from his family, slavery for ten long years, and false imprisonment for three more years.
But, on the inside, what a shining, beautiful diamond was forming! Toward his brothers he never lashed back but was forgiving. While in prison he didn’t balk, strike, or slow down. Instead, he demonstrated industry, care, and energy. Never did he show hopelessness or rebellion but always found a work to do. And, as a result, he became a ruler over Egypt and has a place in the Kingdom of God.
What was Joseph’s secret? Simply put, Joseph was not swayed by circumstances. He allowed God’s plan to work in his life. He did not fight it, but, instead, learned from the very harsh episodes which could have ruined his life, overcoming and conquering the evil he faced. The undeserved circumstances that could have destroyed him became the necessary steps for building his heroic character. It was his faith that the Divine Hand had directed his life that became his strength in conquering adverse situations.
As a result, he was not scarred–he was perfected! He was not a VICTIM of circumstances but a VICTOR over them!
We, too, must use the circumstances in which we find ourselves in such a heroic manner, not permitting them to destroy us. God places them there in our path for a reason. Let God’s plan be at work in our life while always doing our best, never letting up.
There are events ahead of us beyond our control. There will be swift, drastic changes, terrible calamities that will be very unpleasant, harrowing, and physically abusive. The trying events we face day by day are designed to test our faithfulness, and are means to qualify us for even greater future trusts. Remember Joseph–and let us go on to become not a victim of circumstances, but a HERO of faith in God.