THE FINAL MANTLE

Sometimes I wonder if the possibility of evil will be not probable at all. But it appears that there is an established fact that this very age would not cease to witness the possibility of the occurrence of any form of evil probable. There is a probability of evil happening but is there a way where the possibility of this probability would be zero? Certainly, as far as this present age is concerned all probable evils are palpable.

There lies the probability of an occurrence of evil in every family but can that probability be impossibility? In the household of Jacob was an atrocious deed orchestrated by ten brothers against their teenage brother – Joseph. The spirit of evil rose mightily in the hearts of Joseph’s older brothers. So intense was their envy towards the seventeen years old that they sold him into slavery. They even wanted to kill him.

The hatred toward Joseph began when his brethren realized how their father loved him more than them, and even made for him a beautiful mantle (that is, tunic of many colours, Gen. 37:3). The mantle that he received as a token of unadulterated love from him father made his brothers hate him very much. His teen life was so envied that death became a prime alternative to satisfy his wicked brethren. 

Aside the love of Jacob towards the son of his old age, Joseph was gifted with dreams. His dreams made his brethren wilder than the lieutenant of Lucifer. His brethren schemed and planned and plotted, and finally without any seconder to their demonized motion sold him into slavery. But before that, they stripped him of his mantle (Gen. 37:23), soaked it in the blood of an innocent creature and reported to Jacob their foolishly calculated lie (that a beast has devoured Joseph). 

The first mantle of Joseph was taken from him by his brethren. It is important to be watchful of the people who hail “Hosanna! Hosanna!” for they the same who will chant “Crucify him! Crucify him!”  There are some friends, and even family who are as though they are pushing you up but are in actuality bringing you into dust. There others who also use witchcraft and occult mediums to destroy other individuals. These people often glorify their faces with smiles during the day only to reveal their Dracula identity at night. 

The plight of this teenager did not end when he was sold. Other demoniac associates were in pursuit of any mantle that he might receive. This Joseph was greatly prospered by the Lord, such that because of him his master (Potiphar who bought him from the Ishmaelites, Gen. 39:1-6) made him the overseer of his household. Lo and behold the second associate unleashed to steal his garment surfaced.  It was a woman – Mrs. Potiphar, an evil and adulterous woman. She sought for many days to have Joseph in bed but prevailed not, until one day she decided to rape him (Gen. 39:7-10). When her attempted rape failed she stripped off his mantle (or garment, Gen. 39:12, 13) and falsely accused Joseph. For the second time the mantle of this fine gentleman was stripped of. He was certainly deposited into one of the hardcore dungeons in Egypt.

A mantle is however a symbol of royalty, virginity [Read The Mantle of Purity] and authority. Joseph was without honour anymore for he has become a slaved-captive, reduced to nothing less than nothing. Our lives are filled with people who are aggressively in opposition to our integrity, blessing, promotion and even purity – human pollutants who are obsessed with bringing our efforts to naught. But the encouragement we should have is that of Joseph’s. We should never stop dreaming, no matter what happens to us. Believers ought to continually surge forward dreaming and helping others with their dreams even in our most devastated state.

After two of his mantles have been taken from him, Joseph hoped against hope. He knew that he was not made for mediocrity. No child of God is destined for mediocre. He continued to interpret dreams until one day he was called by the king Pharaoh to tell him the meaning of his dream. With great courage spake he unto Pharaoh and directed the king in the way of wisdom. This brought about the final mantle which was entirely glorious and untouchable (Gen. 41:41-45). Joseph was robed with honour, and made a prime minister over the land of Egypt. He additionally received a woman (precisely, the daughter of a priest). His final mantle attracted everything gracious. 

Sometimes troubles and poverty and weakness linger but the best way to win is to tarry before the Lord, and continually do His bidding until He sends deliverance. Weeping may endure but joy comes always, just as the dew introduces the morning. Compromise however is the devil’s bait which we must not succumb to. No matter how many mantles has been stolen from you, just wait for the final mantle.

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By S. E. Entsua-Mensah. ©2014 Christ for Humanity Outreach 

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