Christians Whose Faith Is a Low, Sharp Peak

Joseph proudly tells his brothers about his dream, in which their sheaves of grain bowed down to his own. Jacob’s favoritism had already turned them against him, yet Joseph gave no thought at all to how they felt; all he could do was boast that they had bowed before him.

Faith has steps like these as well. When Christians come to know a little of the Word, receive a church office and begin to serve, they reach a low, sharp peak, where conceit at knowing God well and pride begin to grow. The sin most often committed at this stage is judging the weak faith of other believers. Joseph, too, was spiritually immature, and so he failed to grasp God’s greater purpose and put his own boasting first.

Through his season of suffering Joseph came to see that even his brothers had been instruments in God’s plan, and in the end he fulfilled his calling to save his whole family. Christians who never climb past this step remain like stagnant water, however many years they attend church. But when they discipline and humble themselves, holding fast to their faith out of love for God, they come to true maturity and to their reward.