Joseph - the Provision of God

 

Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. 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. (Genesis 41:44–49 ESV).

 

As we begin to close into the last part of Joseph’s story we can see it is not just a story about smart economics, creating an enormous “rainy day” fund for the time when rains would be scarce for seven years. Nor is it simply a story of a king’s trust in a prisoner’s interpretation of a dream. At its core this is a story about the abundant love of God, immense and free. This account is a picture that points to the infinite love at the very core of God’s heart, revealed to us ultimately in Jesus. It is aqt the core of God’s greatest provision for His children.

 

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians gives us a wonderful prayer from the apostle. He asks that these believers would have the power “to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18-19 ). Joseph’s immeasurable stockpiles of grain picture for us a tiny part of God’s amazing, infinite love and care.

 

A measureless supply, prepared in advance for the benefit of many people who would be affected by famine, including Joseph’s family, and among them his enemy brothers—this is also a picture of God’s boundless love stored up in advance for us while we were still his enemies (cf. Romans 5:10). In the meantime, also reflecting God’s goodness, Joseph’s heart will be a warehouse of overflowing love, waiting to be reconciled with his brothers and united with his family again. God will work that miracle in your life as well. Trust Him for His provision, no matter how dark it may be now!

 

Joseph - Vindicated and Empowered

 

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:41–45 ESV).

 

Our reading today is a part of the larger story of Joseph’s release from prison, interpreting Pharoah’s dream, and rise to power. It certainly was an incredible turn of events from what we have seen thus far in his story. Within hours, he was transfigured from living in a dungeon, forgotten and seemingly without a future, to becoming a ruler in Egypt, second only to the Pharoah. He wears fine robes, a golden chain, and Pharaoh’s own signet ring. This is nothing less than a totally amazing transformation, showing what God can do. Indeed, this picture points us again to Christ, who, after suffering the depths of hell on a cross for our sake, died and was buried, and then was resurrected to life and ascended to the heights of heaven—all by the Father’s command.

 

Joseph journeyed from powerlessness in prison to virtual omnipotence as second in command over Egypt, the superpower of its day. Now an entire kingdom awaited his command. That power would be essential in the plan and purpose of God for the nation of Israel. However, it is important for our understanding the work of God in our lives also.

 

Without power, a redeemer cannot bring redemption. And God has chosen Joseph to be a powerful redeemer—for the sake of his people and as a glimpse into the work of Christ, the ultimate Redeemer from our sin. With power, Joseph would be able to save many lives—and that is the truest and best purpose of power, with God’s blessing. In Jesus, it was the ultimate redemption of all those who would come to faith in Him. Today, when we cannot understand our own trial and difficulty, rest in the truth of God using it for good toward us and those we encounter along our journey.

 

Joseph - the Third Test of Darkness

 

So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.” Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh’s cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.” (Genesis 40:9–15 ESV).

 

Look at Joseph’s life now. The once-favorite son became a slave and was honored for a while but is now in prison. Even though the warden has put him in charge of other prisoners, it’s still prison. We get a sense of the despair Joseph is fighting when we hear that he calls his “home” a “dungeon.” Dungeons are murky and miserable, with little light and even less hope. But Joseph knows that God is with him even in prison.

 

One day two of the king’s officials become prisoners, and they later tell Joseph they have had dreams they do not understand. Joseph explains that God can interpret any dream, so he urges them to tell him about their dreams. With God’s help he explains the dreams, giving the cupbearer an interpretation full of hope. With that, Joseph asks the man to plead his case to Pharaoh. This gives Joseph a ray of hope. Though the interpretations are fulfilled precisely, the cupbearer forgets all about Joseph. So, Joseph remains in prison, waiting in darkness.

 

Joseph continues waiting for a long time. But although the cupbearer has forgotten him, the Lord has not. In the next few chapters of this story we will see that God has an important role in store for Joseph. One of the principles we may learn in this portion of Joseph’s story is that God does not count time quantitatively; God’s timing is always qualitative. That is near impossible for us to understand, especially when our circumstances are so difficult and painful. However, we must look to God as the God of our eternity. What may seem to be unbearable now, is a mere blink of the eye in comparison to what He has in store for us. His plans for us are must bigger than our trials. The Apostle Paul says it this way:

 

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:16–17 ESV).

 

Trust in that promise!

Joseph - the Second Test of Submission

 

As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed. (Genesis 39:19–23 ESV).

 

Joseph had not done anything wrong. Yet he found himself in prison. We learn some more about his suffering in the description provided in Psalm 105:

 

When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. (Psalm 105:16–19 ESV).

 

It is one thing to become a prisoner for committing a crime; it’s quite another to be put in chains while completely innocent. Joseph was more than innocent; his behavior had been honorable. All of this pointed to the suffering that Jesus came to endure for our sake, to save us from sin. After a ministry of doing good everywhere, Jesus was subjected to unthinkable brutality and excruciating death on a cross.

 

Submission can be a most difficult, harrowing test, especially if a person is innocent. It may well be the ultimate test for humility. If any of us think we are humble, can we pass the test of having to submit to injustice even though we may be innocent? That would be a hard test indeed.

 

Amazingly, Joseph sustained this hard test. God was with him and even favored him. The prison warden trusted and promoted him. Many years later, a seasoned leader in the early church summed up situations like this as follows: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).

 

Joseph - The First Test of Loyalty

 

But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.” As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. (Genesis 39:11–20 ESV).

 

The scene of our reading is pretty clear. Joseph finds himself in a very difficult circumstance. Many men before and after Joseph have faced the same temptation. If Joseph had slept with Potiphar’s wife, he knew the consequences; however, he knew that his faith and loyalty to the Lord demanded that he do what was right. The Lord clearly did not condone adultery. It might have been what we have called a “no-win” situation. The truth, however, is far from this. Joseph’s choice was a grand victory. He was able to maintain his loyalty to the Lord.

 

The sins of breaking trust, of failing to fulfill a solemn task, of violating a sacred responsibility—these can shatter relationships and make reconciliation immensely difficult. When an athlete violates the rules by using banned substances, when an investment manager misuses other people’s money, when a public official uses intimidation or cover-up—these are deadly sins that bring ruin into many people’s lives.

 

Joseph, who was highly conscientious and responsible, was fully aware of the trust placed in him by Potiphar. That gave him the moral clarity to view adultery with Potiphar’s wife as “a wicked thing” and a “sin against God.” Joseph passed the test of loyalty again and again, but Potiphar’s wife managed to frame him and get him thrown into prison. Now he had to bear more injustice and suffering.

 

As a steward, Joseph served with unwavering loyalty to fulfill the responsibilities placed on him. Many readers have noted that this is also what Jesus did; he came to do the will of the Father who sent him, despite the suffering he faced for our sake. Loyalty to God is always a higher calling; and it often is not accepted by the world. Choose the Lord… every time!

 

Joseph - God was with Him!

 

Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. (Genesis 39:1–3 ESV).

 

It would seem that Joseph was utterly doomed. He was now a slave with no rights or standing, trapped in a foreign land. It would seem he was marooned, abandoned, cut off from all that sustained a sense of worth, purpose, and joy. But in this story we read again and again that God was with Joseph and that his hand was in Joseph’s life and work. When God chooses to pour out his blessings, which are so great that they cannot be contained, it’s difficult to overstate the abundance and the wide-reaching effect they can have.

 

Further, we learn that Potiphar, Joseph’s master, saw that the Lord God was with Joseph and “gave him success in everything he did.” So, Potiphar sized up Joseph’s capabilities and promoted him, making him his most trusted steward. He put Joseph in charge of the whole household. And God’s blessing extended to “everything Potiphar had.” We aren’t told whether Potiphar himself trusted in God, but he wasn’t blind; he could recognize efficiency and profits, and he could see that these were the results of Joseph’s work. So, it made sense to appoint Joseph as his household manager.

 

All of this shows that even what seems to be the most difficult of situations, like slavery and exile, God does not abandon those whom He calls and loves. It ought to be a great reminder to us that we can serve God in his strength, and the Lord can work wonders through us regardless of what the outward circumstances of our lives might look like. That is the kind of God we have as our heavenly Father!

 

Joseph - Favored Son to Forgotten Slave

Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. (Genesis 39:1–6 ESV).

 

In just a short time, Joseph plummeted from being a favored son to being a slave. What a descent! His brothers had plotted to murder him, but when some Ishmaelite traders came by, the brothers got rid of him instead by selling Joseph as a slave to be resold in Egypt. For many of us, it may be hard to imagine what that exile felt like. Joseph was thrown out, shipped off to be forgotten! He was separated from his father and the rest of his family without hope of ever seeing them again.

 

What’s more, he was in the company of Ishmaelites! These were distant cousins, descendants of his great-grandfather Abraham. Ishmael, their grandfather, was described as a “wild donkey of a man,” whose hand was “against everyone” and who lived in hostility toward everyone (cf. Genesis 16:12). These were ferocious men—not only traders but slavers. Joseph was nothing to them but flesh to be sold for a good price at auction. And they sold him to a captain of the guard—an official of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Could things get any worse than that?

 

Was Joseph angry? Was he filled with bitterness of spirit? We aren’t told. But this much is sure: he was deeply hurt. The wound was massive. Would he ever heal? One thing was certain—God was not done with this story yet! As you can see from the rest of the reading today God blesses Joseph in ways that will ultimately put him exactly where God needs him to save the nation of Israel and finally set the stage for Moses to come to the deliverance of the Jews leading them into the Promised Land.

 

While God’s plan is often counter-intuitive as it unfolds, it is always designed perfectly to bring about our greatest good! Trust Him!