Connecting Scriptures: James 4:10, Luke 14:11, Genesis 15:13-16, Matthew 16:26  

As in the last chapter, I am sure Joseph was left feeling forgotten and like he was living wasted years.  Even though we can know that God never wastes our faithful waiting, I wonder if Joseph held onto that?  Did he think on the years of his father, waiting to be free of Laban, waiting to be back in the land promise—did Jacob even relay stories to his favorite son?  Or, did Joseph simply cling to God?  The chapter starts with setting the scene.  After he had interpreted the dreams for Pharaoh’s servants, Joseph waited two more years, having been forgotten by those he had helped.  But, all of it, the dreams he envisioned as a boy, the ability to lead with holiness and reliance, the way he acknowledged God for any gifting he had in interpretation—all of it was a sweeping (at times agonizing) prologue to where God was intending to elevate him.

“I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’  Joseph answered Pharaoh, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

Notice the same humility and faith Joseph exhibited when he was used by God in prison.  His time waiting and trusting has kept him grounded when he could have taken the opportunity to exalt himself.  The only One being elevated here, is God.  Once Joseph gives the interpretation and wise council on what to do with the revelation, God receives glory from the mouth of Pharaoh as well!  This wasn’t an unusual thing, for Pharaoh to praise deities, he was a polytheist.  What’s one more god to put on the shelf!  But, here as was the usual thing; this Hebrew held a “Spirit of God” unlike any other in his land.  This One could do what all the others failed to do in a time that required action and careful provision.  All these things combined to push Joseph to the forefront.  From prison butler to second in command of the most powerful empire at that point in history.  Only God can do that!

Joseph is given an Egyptian name: Zaphenath-paneah.  It translates to “treasury of glorious rest”.  Although he was separated from his family and land, and he still bore the heart ache of broken relationships and having been a slave and prisoner—Joseph was given rest.    He had made it to where God intended and in turn was given a family of his own and the respect of those who weren’t his people.  All this, and only 30.  I think it is important that we see how old he was, and how much time has passed.  He was torn by violence and hatred from his father and family when he was just a boy, and now he was a man who was holding the known seat of humanity in his hands.  The names he chose for his sons echo’s these ideas.  Manasseh means “made to forget” and Ephraim is “made fruitful”.  God in his kindness, softened the spiritual wounds of Joseph in fatherhood and helped him to see a bit of redemption in that. 

God was merciful in every aspect of this account to keep and shape Joseph.  To position and elevate him in order to spare many—and ultimately to move a family, God’s family, to Egypt.  But that’s getting ahead.  It is hard to read these verses and not activate my hindsight.  I don’t want to lose the presence of this moment in biblical history.  It is a glorious thing to see a man of God overcome the odds stacked against him, and in grace, not loose his grasp on the Giver of all gifts.  In Matthew 16:26 Jesus ask the question, “For what will it profit a man is he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”.  Joseph held onto his sou.  In the darkest circumstances he always pointed back to the God of his heritage and the God of his present situation.  In turn, God gave him the world and the opportunity to move his families history forward. 

Questions for Reflection:

  1.  Do you see your opportunities and hardships the way it seems Joseph did?  What will you gain or lose in your choices?  Are you willing to hold onto to the Lord no matter the circumstance, or risk losing a bit of your soul in the name of survival? 

2.  Does the witness of God’s power in your life cause others to give Him glory?