June 14, 2010

The story of how Joseph gained his power in Egypt [Genesis 41]

Synopsis:

A Hebrew, named Joseph, had been sold into Egyptian slavery by his brothers. While in captivity, Joseph demonstrated some talent in being able to interpret dreams. The Pharaoh begins having a reoccurring dream that was causing some anxiety for the ruler. Word gets around and, before long, Joseph is brought in to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. The theory is that God was revealing a plan to bring seven years of abundance to all the land, followed by seven years of famine. The pharaoh has faith in Joseph’s interpretation and places him in power over all of Egypt, subject only to the throne.

While in power, Joseph orders that grain be stored during the years of abundance, so they could survive the years of famine. The prophetic dream proves to be true, putting Egypt in a greater position of power, by being the only source for grain in all the land. This secures Joseph’s power in Egypt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#1 (41:39-40) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command.”

Here, Joseph has impressed the Pharaoh by interpreting his dream, and then followed up with a course of action for dealing with the approaching crisis. Joseph demonstrated great leadership skill to the highest in command, in Egypt. The sign of a good leader is one that uses wisdom to discern the best course of action, followed by an ability to execute that plan.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#2 (41:47,49,53-54) During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, and he gathered up all the food of these seven years… And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured. …The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all land, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

Here, Joseph prepared for the time of famine by storing up grain in the time of abundance. Joseph was prepared for the hard time that was to come. Life will not always be in abundance. We should prepare for times in our life when maintaining a comparable quality of life would be more difficult.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#3 (41:50-52) Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Here, Joseph is remembering the hostility and hatred that his own family showed him by selling him into slavery. He’s reflecting on his captivity in Egypt, and the affliction of bondage. Even still, Joseph can celebrate the birth of his children, by understanding the possiblity of hope and joy. Regardless of our suffering, hope, joy, and cause for celebration can be found in any circumstance.