Genesis Chapter 41.
So Joseph's coat was made for him when Joseph was around 17 years old. I tend to believe it was not soon after that that he ended up being sold by his brothers. So for almost 13 years Joseph encountered some difficult situations while in Egypt. When he was 30, king Pharaoh made him second-in-command of all Egypt and he received many blessings. Two of those blessings were two sons and the names he gives them is a representation of the healing he received from God over all the turmoil that he faced.
Plus it shows how he was able to heal mentally over the hurt from his brothers.
God is in control regardless of how gloomy situations look. God has a plan for deliverance. God can take the hurt that we have mentally and bring healing and forgiveness so that we are able to move on. God is a mighty and Powerful God. I don't ever want to forget that, even though I do.
When I was choosing a parody for today, I thought about how we read in chapter 41 that Joseph was 30 years old when he entered into the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph is getting older and has spent almost half of his life now at this point as a captured man living in a foreign land and yet he still seems to have a positive attitude. He has been mistreated, falsely accused and forgotten. I think difficulties that we face in life tend to make us either bitter or better. Joseph could have become depressed, but God made all the difference in his life. I think this song fits Joseph well especially this line: “Wait on God now and He’ll take us from the bottom of the barrel to the ski slopes, fly like eagles.” I also looked up what hallel means and found out that it consists of 6 Psalms (113-118). May we praise the Lord in all circumstances and faithfully serve Him just as we see that Joseph did.
Here’s the link for Smells Like Thirty Something Spirit.
https://youtu.be/pBrEKHFH0nk
Did you see the similarities that point to Jesus – after 30 years of preparation he began public service, he was full of God’s spirit, etc.
When brought before Pharaoh, Joseph immediately gave credit to God for any interpreting the dreams. It wasn’t his knowledge of dreams that helped, it was his knowledge of God. He recognized that it was all God not him. We probably won’t get to interpret a dream for a king, but the people that know us should be able to see God in us – through our words, actions, and advice. Matt 5:16 says let your light shine before men that they will glorify your Father. This is my hope and goal – something to continually focus on until I get it right.
Finally Joseph is remembered! And he continues to point to God. Pharoah asks him to interpret the dream and Joseph tells him that it is God that will do it not him. He tells Pharoah that it is God that gave him the dream and is showing him what He is going to do. Pharoah is able to recognize that God is with joseph and therefore places him second in command. It brings to mind the verse from matthew 25 that says you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Joseph proved that he could be faithful in every situation God placed him in and now God makes him ruler over Egypt just under Pharoah. I also love that even in the naming of his sons, Joseph is giving glory and honor to God for bringing him through.
Your right Terri,
Joseph remembered!!!
Joseph was hoping to get recognized last chapter, but God had a different plan. He was remembered when God was ready for him to be remembered.
(And the pharaoh had no where else to turn)
Reminds me that things happen on God time not mine, and not always my way
7 years of famine would not be good.
In all things we must trust the Lord! Joseph has always trusted the plan God has had for his life, even in difficult times. We see in this chapter Joseph go from prisoner to prophet in a sense, and I agree, through it all he gives glory to God.
May I always remember to give glory to God in good times and in bad, and to trust the plan he has for my life, always!