DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

"So Joseph was there in prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him." (Genesis 39:20b, 21a HCSB)

It's easy to do. You meet someone, form a first impression and then find out later that they are nothing like what you judged them to be. Then, there are circumstances in life, that when they occur we make an instant evaluation of them, only to discover that the opposite is true. You don't judge a book by its cover.

This truth is written large in a Book that can be judged by its cover--the Holy Bible. It is a Book that is different from any other. It is God's Book and reveals to us the story behind the story as only an all-knowing and all-powerful Being, whose sovereign purposes cannot be thwarted, can do. So many of the circumstances and actions we see unfolding in this divine drama look on the surface to be good, but then turn out bad. Other times what seems terrible is transformed into terrific. In the Good Book we discover that for every other, you don't judge a book by its cover.

Nowhere is this seen more vividly than in Genesis 38-40. It is a sordid saga of sex and lies--of deception and dungeon. But in the dark shadows, a dim Figure stands, directing events so that when man does his worst, the Sovereign Lord does His best. The New Testament puts it this way, "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28 HCSB) You don't judge a book by its cover.

In Genesis 38, we learn that failure can become God's avenue. The moral failings documented there concerning Judah's family are shocking. The story which unfolds in these verses reads like some steamy soap opera. But the most arresting part is the realization that this family tree, with all its rotten fruit, would produce One by the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior! Tamar, who dresses like a prostitute, to deceive her father-in-law Judah to have sex with her is impregnated by him and then is listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:3)! The deeds were wicked indeed. The consequences of sin are ever present. Still, where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. You don't judge a book by its cover.

In Genesis 39, we find that mistreatment can yield God's advancement. Joseph was enslaved in Egypt because of the mistreatment by his brothers who hated him. So, what did God do? He advanced Joseph to a position of responsibility in his master's service. Then, because Joseph rejected the adulterous proposition of Potiphar's wife, she falsely accuses him of trying to rape her and Joseph is thrown into prison. Talk about mistreatment! So, what does God do? The Lord advances Joseph to supervisory status of the other prisoners! What at first seems like setbacks turn into stepping stones to promotion. Joseph is in prison, but the Lord is with him. You don't judge a book by its cover.

In Genesis 40, we see that disappointments can be God's appointments. I don't know what happened--perhaps Pharaoh's butler spilt wine on his carpet, maybe the baker burned the biscuits. All I know is that there were a couple of fellows with pretty cushy jobs in the palace that wound up disappointing their boss and being disappointed themselves, as they found themselves in the bowels of the prison. The disappointment was God's appointment. It just so happened they ended up in a cell with Joseph. Then each had a vivid, bewildering dream. The Lord revealed its meaning to Joseph. The baker would be disappointed--his dream meant his death. Pharaoh would have him executed. Better news was given to the butler. He would get his old job back. Ecstatic, he promises to put in a good word to Pharaoh on Joseph's behalf. Joseph must have thought that things were finally going to turn around for him after much disappointment. Instead of deliverance, what he received was more disappointment! The chapter closes with these sad words, "Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him." (Genesis 40:23 HCSB) Although that is the end of the chapter, it isn't the end of the story. The disappointment would become God's appointment. Don't judge a book by its cover!

So, what are you staring at today? Failure--your own or someone else's? Mistreatment? Disappointment? You reached for the stars, but find yourself behind bars--a prisoner of circumstances. All about you are the shards of broken dreams. God hasn't abandoned you. He is with you in the darkness, as he was with Joseph. Don't judge a book by is cover.