NOTHING FOR YOURSELF
“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied”(Bilyaday) Genesis 41:16.
The Word of God tests hearts. God spoke to Joseph through dreams. And this Word tested Joseph throughout all his life. In his dreams God revealed the fate of Joseph that He had prepared for him: “…We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” Genesis 37:7. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” Genesis 37:9, 10.
Once you accept the Word of God as a prophetic reference to your life, you will be attacked. People will not like it. The Word that God gave to your life will test you, and if you pass the test, it will be fulfilled. The life of Joseph, was a solid test:
• Lack of understanding from his brothers and rejection; God called all the sons of Jacob, but not all responded, ” So Jacob told everyone in his household, “Get rid of all your pagan idols, purify yourselves, and put on clean clothing.” Genesis 35:2. They left their gods, but did not purify themselves and did not change their clothes. The phrase “change the clothes” in Jewish culture means to morally and spiritually purifying the mind and heart. This change happened in Joseph’s life. The rest of the family members of Jacob were still filled with hatred, jealousy and hostility.
• His brothers sold him into slavery. Not having a sufficient spiritual experience yet, Joseph looked for support among the people around him. He was humble, his heart was the heart of a servant and he quickly rises in the house of Potiphar. God tests him and he turns out to be faithful. He could not go against the person he serves. He did not go against Potiphar; he did not go against the Pharaoh which means that he would be faithful also to God, in everything. Joseph’s only mistake was that he was looking for support among people; he thought Potiphar would figure everything out and restore justice, but unfortunately that did not happen.
• Joseph was thrown into the prison. And again, he put his trust on people, but they did not remember about him, they forgot all the good things he did for them. The butler and the baker did not remember about him.
Then, finally, he understood: only God can save, only He can restore the justice. God’s answer is never late, it comes when your heart is ready to accept it: Joseph come out, Pharaoh is waiting for you!
Indeed the Word of God tests hearts. Throughout his life, despite the circumstances, Joseph kept God’s prophetic dream. The Word that came into his life constantly tested his heart. Joseph went through all the trials and remained faithful to God and his vocation. Joseph was able to go from the beloved son of his physical father to the beloved son of the heavenly Father. He fulfilled the will of God, and saved Israel from imminent destruction.
All this was possible, because Joseph was well-adapted into the foundation of the basic rule of life with God: it is expressed in Scripture with one Hebrew word BILYADAY! – NOTHING FOR YOURSELF! “(bilyaday) It is beyond my power to do this (nothing for self),” Joseph replied.” Genesis 41:16. The word “bilyaday” occurs twice in the Torah. Abraham said it in a conversation with the king of Sodom. Joseph said it in conversation with Pharaoh. Bilyaday – is very special position in life that brings success. Why is it, that specifically this position brings success and blessings? Because God specified this position for the Jewish people. Just as the tribe of Levi performed the priestly service for Israel, so Israel is called to perform the priestly service for all the people of the world. Joseph was taught to serve his father. The brothers hated him for it but he revealed their sins, and defended the family’s honor. This position led to the fulfillment of all God’s promises in the life of Joseph. All his older brothers came to him, and bowed down and brought him all the values they had. The whole world gave him all the silver, livestock, lands and themselves for the bread, which God put into his hand. Accepting the position of a servant, Joseph was able to fulfill the will of God and to save Israel and the whole world from death. But God comforted him and allowed him to forget all the miseries he had and filled his hands with fruit. As proof of this, Joseph called his eldest son – Manasseh, which means: God made me forget all the troubles, and the youngest – Ephraim, which means: God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction. In the face of Joseph, we see a wonderful prototype of our Lord Yeshua ha Mashiach.
