Scripture:
"Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:" - Genesis 49:22

Joseph was fruitful because he had a vision from the Lord that was not limited by the walls of time and tradition. He saw beyond his present time and saw into the future and although his present situation seemed to be contrary to his vision he was able to increase beyond that limitation. Joseph could also stretch beyond the wall of tradition. Tradition said that a younger heir would always serve the older, yet his vision said otherwise. Our text today says "whose branches run over the wall." Joseph could not be confined to the restrictions of the walls that surrounded him but his branches ran over the walls.

The application is this: When God gives a man a vision it will take him beyond the ordinary restrictions of time and tradition. Or at least, it should. We need to be like Joseph and allow God to stretch us beyond the restrictions that contain most men. A vision from the Lord will do that to a man if he will let it. Sadly, however, many have shadowed their vision by allowing the walls of time and tradition to imprison them.

We need a vision that can stretch us beyond accepted boundaries. Vision that is allowed to stretch out its branches beyond the towering walls of tradition can expect opposition. Tradition is a very difficult wall to overcome. But a man with a God-given vision can reach beyond the confining walls of tradition. God-given vision gives a man courage to rise above the opposition of tradition and reach beyond its intimidating walls.

A God-given vision can also rise high above the walls of time. Time will always try to intimidate. Time is a difficult wall to scale. But a vision from God will not be intimidated by the wall of time no matter how high its wall may seem. Joseph's biggest wall was the wall of time. It took a long time for the vision to manifest but it did come to pass. Joseph's life ought to inspire us on our journey of faith. His faith in the vision of God caused him to grow tall enough and broad enough to run over the wall of time.

If you find that time is causing you frustration today, don't let it discourage you but realize that perhaps your faith has not grown tall enough yet to stretch you beyond its walls. If you have a vision then it can and will stretch its branches over the wall of time. If you are faced with the wall of tradition, don't be afraid but expand beyond its walls. Let the vision of God cause you to grow in courage. A heart filled with courage will always reach beyond the restrictions of the wall of tradition.

Last of all remember, the God who gave you vision is not restricted by time and tradition but lives outside those walls.