44_Joseph is a fruitful branch

Gen 49: 22-26 22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough,
a fruitful bough by a spring;
his branches run over the wall.
23 The archers bitterly attacked him,
shot at him, and harassed him severely,
24 yet his bow remained unmoved;
his arms were made agile
by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob
(from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),
25 by the God of your father who will help you,
by the Almighty who will bless you
with blessings of heaven above,
blessings of the deep that crouches beneath,
blessings of the breasts and of the womb.
26 The blessings of your father
are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents,
up to the bounties of the everlasting hills.
May they be on the head of Joseph,
and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.

In 1921, a Swedish couple, David and Svea Flood, embarked on a daring mission to bring the light of the gospel to the Belgian Congo. Leaving behind comfort and security, they journeyed to a remote African village, praying for a spiritual awakening. However, the villagers, led by their chief, refused to let them preach. Their only contact with the community was a young boy who sold them eggs. Despite the discouraging circumstances, Svea shared the message of Jesus with the boy, who eventually accepted Christ as his Savior.

Tragedy soon struck the couple. Svea succumbed to malaria shortly after giving birth to her second child, and David, overwhelmed by grief, returned to Sweden, leaving the infant, Agy, in the care of an American missionary family. Years later, Agy, now married, stumbled upon a Swedish magazine featuring a story about her mother. The article detailed the transformation of the village through the young boy Svea had evangelized. The boy had grown up to establish a school, leading many students—and later their parents and even the village chief—to Christ. The village now had 600 Christians.

Svea Flood’s life, though short, was remarkably fruitful because she was faithful in her limited circumstances. Similarly, the story of Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob, teaches us profound truths about living a fruitful and victorious life amidst trials. In Jacob’s final blessing, he likened Joseph to a fruitful branch by a spring, whose branches climbed over walls—a symbol of resilience, abundance, and divine blessing.

Joseph’s fruitfulness sprang from his relationship with God. Repeatedly in Genesis, we read the phrase, “God was with him” (Genesis 39:2-3, 21, 23; 41:38). This same assurance was given to Ishmael, Abraham’s son by Hagar, yet their lives diverged drastically. While Joseph embraced God’s presence with faith and humility, Ishmael allowed pride and envy to sever his connection with the living God.

Envy is a corrosive force, as Ishmael’s story illustrates. Though Abraham loved him dearly and God preserved his life in the wilderness, Ishmael harbored bitterness toward Isaac, the child of promise. His envy led him to mock Isaac, creating enmity and ultimately alienating him from Abraham’s household and God’s covenant. Despite receiving promises of greatness, Ishmael did not seek a relationship with God. His pride and ingratitude left him barren, spiritually speaking. In contrast, Joseph’s humility and faith enabled him to thrive in the harshest circumstances.

Joseph’s secret to fruitfulness lay in abiding in God, as Jesus taught in John 15:4-5: “Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” Joseph’s life exemplifies this truth. Whether as a slave in Potiphar’s house, a prisoner in Pharaoh’s dungeon, or a ruler in Egypt, Joseph walked closely with God, finding strength and direction in His presence.

Unlike Ishmael, Joseph recognized God’s hand in every situation. He viewed his trials not as the result of human scheming but as part of God’s divine plan. This perspective allowed him to avoid bitterness and remain faithful. When sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph served Potiphar diligently, earning his trust. Falsely accused and imprisoned, he still shone as a faithful steward, gaining the favor of the jailer and helping fellow prisoners. In every situation, Joseph sought to glorify God rather than pursue personal gain.

Joseph’s life points us to the ultimate example of faithfulness and humility: Jesus Christ. Jesus declared, “I do nothing on My own but speak just what the Father has taught Me” (John 8:28). He perfectly obeyed the Father, even unto death, trusting God’s plan to bring salvation to humanity. Like Joseph, Jesus overcame evil with good, praying for His persecutors, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Joseph’s unwavering faith allowed him to respond to adversity with grace and purpose. When his brothers came to buy grain during the famine, Joseph did not seek revenge. Instead, he worked to bring them to repentance and reconciliation. He revealed his identity not to punish but to bless, declaring, “It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8). His forgiveness was genuine, demonstrated through his kindness and provision for their families.

Joseph’s fruitfulness also stemmed from his reliance on God’s strength. When interpreting dreams for Pharaoh, Joseph humbly acknowledged, “I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires” (Genesis 41:16). This dependence on God rather than his own abilities ensured that Joseph’s efforts were not in vain. Similarly, we are called to lean on God’s power, trusting Him to accomplish His purposes through us.

The blessings Jacob pronounced over Joseph highlight God’s sustaining and guiding presence. Joseph’s strength, described as coming from “the Mighty One of Jacob” and “the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,” reminds us that God is the source of all our victories. Like Joseph, we can face life’s battles with confidence, knowing that God equips and upholds us.

As believers, we are called to emulate Joseph’s faith and humility. His story encourages us to see God’s hand in our trials, to forgive those who wrong us, and to serve faithfully wherever He places us. When we abide in Christ, we become fruitful branches, drawing strength from the true vine and bringing glory to God.

Let us not underestimate the impact of a life lived in faithful dependence on God. Svea Flood never saw the fruit of her labor on earth, yet her obedience bore eternal results. Similarly, Joseph’s faithfulness during his years of suffering prepared him to save many lives and preserve God’s covenant with Abraham. Our own lives may not seem significant in the grand scheme, but God can use even the smallest acts of faithfulness to accomplish His purposes.

In our daily lives, we face challenges and injustices that can tempt us to despair or retaliate. But Joseph’s example calls us to rise above our circumstances, trusting God to bring good out of every situation. As Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Today, let us examine our hearts. Are we abiding in Christ, or are we relying on our own strength? Are we forgiving those who have wronged us, or are we holding onto bitterness? Are we viewing our trials as opportunities for growth, or as obstacles to our happiness? Like Joseph, may we choose to trust God, serve faithfully, and bear fruit for His glory.

May we, like Svea Flood and Joseph, be fruitful branches by the spring of living water, bringing hope and blessing to those around us. Let us yield ourselves to God’s purposes, knowing that He is faithful to bring beauty from ashes and fruitfulness from faithfulness.