“Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.2 This is the account of Jacob’s family line.Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.”NIV

‘’Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers…” (2).

This young man was destined, in the purposes of God, to become second-in-command in Egypt, a foreign nation. He had a great future ahead, but who would have thought it when he was tending sheep? There is an important Biblical principle, however, that faithfulness in little leads to faithfulness in much.

I was captured by this second verse, and it caused me to think about the words of a Steve Green – all song about another shepherd boy. This one, David, was to become Israel’s greatest king. I wonder if you can see why it came to mind as I read about Joseph? Here are the lyrics:

In a hidden valley just over the hill

A young shepherd boy surrenders his will

As he lifts his voice in praise to his King

Only the lambs will hear and follow as he sings

In a hidden valley a faithful one leads

No one looking on, he cares for their needs

For he knows the One who tries the heart

So he is steadfast and content to do his part

Hidden valleys produce a life song

Hidden valleys will make a heart strong

Desperation can cause you to sing

Hidden valleys turn shepherds to kings

In a hidden valley a leader is born

He has faced the fierce and weathered the storm

So with humble heart and love for his God

He becomes royalty with just a staff and rod

Hidden valleys produce a life song

Hidden valleys will make a heart strong

Desperation can cause you to sing

Hidden valleys turn shepherds to kings