Great Encouragement in Christ JESUS ~ 11 September, 2024 A.D.

"Behold, this dreamer cometh." -Genesis 37:19 [KJV] 

St. James says, “The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy,” (4:5.) This is fully manifest in the conduct of Joseph’s brethren against him. Joseph seemed open hearted, simple, and without guile. If he had not told his dreams, he had not raised his brethren’s envy. But the Lord’s hand was in it: no thanks to them. Their cruelty to Joseph, raised him to the greatest eminence, and saved them from death by famine. 

Thus the Lord brings good out of evil. Methinks I see young Joseph coming towards his brethren, and they looking upon him with an air of the greatest contempt and derision, saying, “Behold, this dreamer cometh!” There, that’s he, that we are all to bow down to, worship, and serve. Look at this mighty dreamer of foolish dreams. St. Paul, in enumerating the sufferings of the faithful, says, “Others had trials of cruel mockings” (Hebrews 11:36.) Samson by the Philistines; Elisha by the children whom the bears devoured; David by Michael, etc. But who of all the sons of men, ever had trials of such cruel mockings as the Son of God? 

Know then, O disciple, thou art not to be above thy Master. It is sufficient for thee to be as thy Master. Expect cruel mockings. Wast thou never mocked and derided for thy profession? Then thou hast reason to fear thou hast not been faithful to thy Lord. Else surely the world would have seen that thou hast been with Jesus, and as verily as they mocked Him, they would deride thee. Though you need not cast your pearl before swine: or as Joseph did, tell all the dealings of God with your soul, to the men of the world; yet if you dare make an open profession of salvation by the free grace of God, through Jesus only, your name will be up—mockings will be your portion. 

Yea, men will say of thee, as Joseph’s brethren did of him, “Behold, this dreamer cometh.” See that visionary, enthusiastic fool: he dreams that he is one of God’s elect: that he has the witness of the Spirit: that he is sure of going to heaven, not for his works, but by grace, through faith only. Such honour have all God’s saints. Pray now, who would wish, who would strive to escape it? Would you lose a badge of your profession—a mark of honour that you are the followers of the once mocked and derided Son of God? 

But beware of being deceived like those of old, with “the visions of their own heart” (Jeremiah 23:16.) But glory in the heavenly vision, the vision of the Spirit, the vision of faith. Let men mock on: let devils envy: yet the vision of faith is for an appointed time. Cruel mockings are only for a short season. Soon, very soon, you shall receive the end of your faith, the salvation of your soul, and be exalted above Joseph at Pharaoh’s court. You shall be with Jesus above, where all is harmony, peace, and love.

 

-preacher Wm. Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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