Think Speak Run

Joseph has had a tumultuous journey from favoured son in the home, to an empty pit, slavery, Potiphar’s house, and now prison. Despite his adverse circumstances, he has walked in favour at every stage so far, and the blessing is about to snowball.

Even when he is held in prison unjustly, Joseph has favour. Genesis 39:21,23 state: “But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison… that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper”. Joseph is again promoted, as he had been in Potiphar’s house, and two prisoners share their dreams with him for interpretation. Two years after the reinstatement of one and the death of the other, in accordance with Joseph’s interpretation of their dreams, Pharaoh himself has disturbing dreams which he doesn’t understand. Suddenly the reinstated butler remembers Joseph. Joseph is brought before Pharaoh and correctly interprets his dreams, being at pains to point out, as he did with the prisoners, that it is God Who gives the interpretation, and not Joseph himself: “‘…It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace’” (Genesis 41:16). 

As a result of God’s unremitting favour upon Joseph’s life he is promoted to the position of deputy of all Egypt. Pharaoh says in Genesis 41:40 “‘Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou’”. 

Don’t forget, Joseph is a Hebrew, sold as a slave into Egypt. He is not even Egyptian, yet now he is put in charge of all Egypt. And he prospers. Egypt flourishes under his direction and the whole world survives famine only due to Joseph’s forethought and God’s favour upon him. Genesis 41:56,57 states “And the famine was over all the face of the earth… all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands”.

Joseph is thirty years old when he interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, meaning he has spent thirteen years as a foreigner, a slave and a prisoner in Egypt. At length, he is reunited with his brothers and his father and they move from Canaan to Goshen in Egypt, surviving the famine and fulfilling the dreams Joseph saw eighteen years prior to that point. 

However, the impact of what he endured in those years clearly was not lost on him as he had named his sons Manasseh, saying “‘God… hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house’” and Ephraim, saying “‘God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction’” (Genesis 41:51,52). Joseph’s understanding, doubtless shaped by the trials he endured, is not referred to many times. However, the depth of insight he has is recorded once when he reveals who he is to his brothers, and again after his father’s death when his brothers are afraid of him. He says, “‘…be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life… to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So… it was not you that sent me hither, but God.’” (Genesis 45:5,7,8)

Later he tells his brothers, “‘…as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive’” (Genesis 50:20).

Take time to reflect on Joseph’s story and read it in Genesis chapters 37-50. Ask yourself why he remained faithful to God in adversity. Consider that God’s blessing may not be packaged the way you expect. Seek to cultivate Joseph’s attitude and see what greater purpose your life may be serving in your generation and in God’s Kingdom. The fact of the matter is this: it is not all about you. And yes, you are stupendously blessed.