Genesis 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Oh yes Friends, we’re continuing Joseph’s story. It’s such a unique, intriguing tale, that once I began, I felt compelled to take it to the end. It encompasses so many things; mercy, forgiveness, treachery, justice, injustice, hardship, faithfulness, purpose, steadfastness and integrity, all of which a believer must either possess or withstand. Above all, it shows the mysterious workings of our wonderful God; the way He builds His dramatic scenes that eventually bring rewards to the righteous and glory to His Holy Name. Wow! Excuse the ole fella, he was just on a roll. (smile) Anyway, Joseph innocently languishes in prison for two years after the baker is hanged and the butler reinstated. Then the Lord puts the next step of his plan into action. As a writer, one has to admire the Lord’s script. He now has Pharaoh dream about seven fat pigs and seven meagre ones, also seven fat ears of corn and seven shrivelled ones, and both the meagre kine and shrivelled corn eat their fat, healthy counterparts. The dream worries Pharaoh, but none of his astrologers or magicians can interpret it. Then, and only then, did the ungrateful butler remember Joseph. Typical human nature! Only in times of trouble, do we remember those who helped us. The butler would probably have felt Pharaoh’s wrath if the dream had not been interpreted. So the ole ingrate jumps up and says to Pharaoh, oh, ‘I do remember my faults this day.’ (Gen.41:9) Yeh! Two years later. Then he tells Pharaoh about Joseph’s correct interpretation of his and the baker’s dreams. Obviously Pharaoh sends for Joseph. Note what the Word says here; ‘and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.’ (vs.14) Yes Friends, Joseph made himself presentable. I admire how he always picks up on the subtle necessities of a situation. Compare that to Jesus’ parable of those from the streets invited to the rich man’s wedding, who didn’t dress the part and were turned away. Also, when Pharaoh talks about Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams, he wisely deflects the credit from himself to where it rightly belonged. ‘It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh and answer of peace.’ Joseph was certainly wise beyond his years. I guess all the hardship he’d suffered had opened his eyes to the reality of life, had made him emotionally strong, but thankfully not cynical. That’s something a lot of us believers need to address. Some feel that because we have all the wonderful promises of God to look after us etc, life should be much easier than it is. But Jesus specifically said believers would be persecuted for His name’s sake, but we should let it be our testimony, by standing strong. (Luke 21:12-13) But too many of us falter as soon as things get tough, become cynical, start questioning God, or just stop believing altogether. Friends, that’s the wrong attitude. Look at Joseph nuh. I doubt if any of us have suffered unfairness and injustice like he did. But he didn’t give up, didn’t get cynical or start doubting God. No. He stayed faithful, even though it wasn’t easy, and he must have died inside a million times over. He never doubted for one moment the goodness of the Lord, and that it would eventually shine brilliantly on him. Let’s take a page from Joseph’s book nuh Friends. It’s a perfect example. Much LOVE!…steadfast and true…that’s the way for you…
Oh yes Friends, we’re continuing Joseph’s story. It’s such a unique, intriguing tale, that once I began, I felt compelled to take it to the end. It encompasses so many things; mercy, forgiveness, treachery, justice, injustice, hardship, faithfulness, purpose, steadfastness and integrity, all of which a believer must either possess or withstand. Above all, it shows the mysterious workings of our wonderful God; the way He builds His dramatic scenes that eventually bring rewards to the righteous and glory to His Holy Name. Wow! Excuse the ole fella, he was just on a roll. (smile) Anyway, Joseph innocently languishes in prison for two years after the baker is hanged and the butler reinstated. Then the Lord puts the next step of his plan into action. As a writer, one has to admire the Lord’s script. He now has Pharaoh dream about seven fat pigs and seven meagre ones, also seven fat ears of corn and seven shrivelled ones, and both the meagre kine and shrivelled corn eat their fat, healthy counterparts. The dream worries Pharaoh, but none of his astrologers or magicians can interpret it. Then, and only then, did the ungrateful butler remember Joseph. Typical human nature! Only in times of trouble, do we remember those who helped us. The butler would probably have felt Pharaoh’s wrath if the dream had not been interpreted. So the ole ingrate jumps up and says to Pharaoh, oh, ‘I do remember my faults this day.’ (Gen.41:9) Yeh! Two years later. Then he tells Pharaoh about Joseph’s correct interpretation of his and the baker’s dreams. Obviously Pharaoh sends for Joseph. Note what the Word says here; ‘and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.’ (vs.14) Yes Friends, Joseph made himself presentable. I admire how he always picks up on the subtle necessities of a situation. Compare that to Jesus’ parable of those from the streets invited to the rich man’s wedding, who didn’t dress the part and were turned away. Also, when Pharaoh talks about Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams, he wisely deflects the credit from himself to where it rightly belonged. ‘It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh and answer of peace.’ Joseph was certainly wise beyond his years. I guess all the hardship he’d suffered had opened his eyes to the reality of life, had made him emotionally strong, but thankfully not cynical. That’s something a lot of us believers need to address. Some feel that because we have all the wonderful promises of God to look after us etc, life should be much easier than it is. But Jesus specifically said believers would be persecuted for His name’s sake, but we should let it be our testimony, by standing strong. (Luke 21:12-13) But too many of us falter as soon as things get tough, become cynical, start questioning God, or just stop believing altogether. Friends, that’s the wrong attitude. Look at Joseph nuh. I doubt if any of us have suffered unfairness and injustice like he did. But he didn’t give up, didn’t get cynical or start doubting God. No. He stayed faithful, even though it wasn’t easy, and he must have died inside a million times over. He never doubted for one moment the goodness of the Lord, and that it would eventually shine brilliantly on him. Let’s take a page from Joseph’s book nuh Friends. It’s a perfect example. Much LOVE!…steadfast and true…that’s the way for you…
SCRIP-BITS 