Have you ever felt blessed but also oppressed?  

The book of exodus begins by informing the names of the sons of Israel who departed to Egypt with Jacob. It also mentions how they were fruitful and increasing in numbers. This is what happened next:

Exodus 1:8-11 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country."  11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.  

The Egyptians became intimidated by the prosperity of God's chosen people. Joseph was a great example of this as well. Joseph was a man of God, he is described in Genesis 49 as a fruitful vine. He had dreams about a great future and because of that his brothers could not stand him. Because of jealousy or insecurity? We don't know, but something strong was there that made the brothers sell their father's beloved son into slavery. Usually when someone does you wrong is because you are a treat to something they want and they need to get you out of the way. It is a selfish act. Look at this cycle: Remember Cain? "Am I my brother's keeper?". This comes back in many books of the Bible, how to love our neighbor. Can you see the cycle from the story of Cain; the story of Joseph's brothers; the Egyptians against the Israelites? Now add the story of the people who did you wrong or maybe the story of the people we sin against... Jesus commands us to: Love one another.....Love your neighbor, pray for your enemy. Tough one.     

Blessings,