We are all familiar with the story of Joseph found in the book of Genesis.  First, he’s sold into slavery by his brothers (who meant it for evil, while God meant it for good).  Then, he’s bought by Potiphar and put in charge of his household (because everything he touches turns to gold).  While there, Potiphar’s wife sees the “good” in Joseph and attempts to “know” him Adam and Eve style.  Joseph remains true to his God and his faith, politely declining (okay, running for the hills).  Potiphar’s wife accuses him before Potiphar, who has him put into prison.  In prison, things start turning to gold again, and Joseph ends up running that place.  He interprets a couple of dreams, one of the dreamers reports this to Pharaoh, and whabbam, Joseph’s the number two guy in all of Egypt, extending salvation to all the world.

So, how did Joseph take dominion, and how do we do it his way?  To put it plainly, Joseph did all the work while the lazy pagans, seeking riches and glory, just handed dominion over to him.  Or, to let James Jordan say it (has he did so well in Primeval Saints),

“It is all too easy [for oppressed Christians] to yield to sinful temptation and seek to obstruct the designs of heathen masters by demonstrating half-hearted obedience or active meddling.  The story of Joseph tells us that the road to victory, dominion, and mastery is through service, the humble service of a slave.  Through service and suffering God purges and destroys indwelling sin in the believer, builds character in him, and fits him for the mastery of some portion of the world.  As the lazy wicked see that they can trust the hard-working righteous to keep the machinery running, they will be inclined to turn it over to them.”

So the next time your considering which imprecatory psalm* to sing about your supervisor try performing the humble service of a slave until the Lord has prepared them to turn dominion over to you.

Ecclesiastes 2:26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

–
mattb

*If you need a recommendation, go with Psalm 54–it is tame compared to some others and can really get you in an imprecatory mood**!

**For more on imprecatory Psalms (watch as I pass the buck), see Doug Wilson.