Tuesday - Genesis 41 - The Ascent of a Prince

Two years after Joseph interpreted the dream for the royal butler, Pharaoh also had some dreams that seemed to be portents. Seven fat cows eaten by seven skinny ones; seven healthy ears of grain consumed by seven puny ones... what could it mean?

First, notice a recurring theme that appears in Genesis 41:8 - the inadequacies of worldly wise men. Pharaoh (like several monarchs after him) demanded answers from all who were known for knowing, but... they didn't know.  It was then that the forgetful butler suddenly remembered what Joseph had done for him.  What timing!

So, after making himself presentable to the king, Joseph came in to hear the dreams. And, when Pharaoh spoke of Joseph’s ability, he was quick to deflect that flattering praise to its rightful recipient: God (Genesis 41:15-16).

Then he proceeded to unveil the secrets of God concerning the near future of Egypt and the world. Seven years of prosperity followed by seven years of sever famine - that's what they had coming.

Commendably, Joseph didn't stop after his Divine prognostications... he added some advice in keeping with his godly wisdom: "Find a man who can prepare the nation for coming trouble." Wise men who have responsibilities crave advisors who can spot problems and supply viable solutions to them. Joseph fit the bill. He was hired on the spot. With a momentary wise whim of a Pharaoh, Joe went from prisoner to prince (Genesis 41:38).  It was God at work again.

Pharaoh gave Joseph supreme authority over everything and everybody.  The only thing he lacked was the title of king and a right to the throne. In every other way he was the ruler of the mightiest nation in the world at that time. He was a benevolent totalitarian dictator at the age of 30 (Genesis 41:44); truly licensed with unlimited political power.

So, Joseph was soon married and commenced his government responsibilities by taking a tour of Egypt (Genesis 41:45-46). You can't run a nation dutifully if you aren't even aware of what's going on in that nation. Joseph was starting with a strong foundation. And, he went on to collect so much grain that he ceased reckoning the quantities.

Monday - Genesis 40 - Premonitions

The jail that Joseph was in charge of was the place where royal prisoners were held. Two of those were the Pharaoh's butler and the baker.  Now, Joseph's relationship with them was a strange one. It is said in verse 4 that the captain of the guard (who was probably Potiphar) gave Joseph the specific responsibility for the security of these two dignitaries. Somewhat strangely, it says that Joseph "served" them.

Apparently Potiphar had determined that Joseph was indeed as trustworthy as he had originally supposed (still he left him in prison... probably to keep his wife pacified). But, though still incarcerated, Joseph was becoming acquainted with more influential people and was indeed continually being groomed for leadership.  God was in control.

God gave revelatory dreams to the butler and baker one night, and, they awakened disturbed in their heart by those dreams. It's pretty amazing that Joseph was so interested and attuned to the spirit of his fellow inmates that he immediately asked about their sadness. Doesn't that seem strange? I can't imagine that any warden in any prison anywhere else would be as sensitive to the emotions of his prisoners.  "Good morning! Why the long faces fellas?"  Fascinating man, this Joseph.

Well, those guys were sad because they didn't know what their dreams meant. But, they hadn't long to wait. They were in the right place with the right man to get an answer from God. The butler was going to be relieved; the baker, devastated.

The butler dreamed a dream about three branches with grapes which showed him being restored to his office in three days. The baker dreamed a dream about three baskets of bread which showed him being hanged in three days.

Now, most importantly in this story, Joseph had expressly requested from the butler that a kind word about him be spoken to the king so he might escape from his incarceration. But, ungratefully (yet providentially), the butler forgot.

God was saving that card for just the right moment; a moment when the Pharaoh would need a dream interpreted for him... and the world would need a leader with God's wisdom in his heart.  That man: Joseph!

Saturday - Genesis 39 - On The Way Up

The opening phrase of verse 2 sums up very well the life of Israel's choice son: "...the Lord was with Joseph..." So, what were the effects of God's presence? Safety, prosperity, acceptance, wisdom, diligence, responsibility and temptation... yes, temptation. Anyone who walks with God is shortly going to be a target of Satan. Joseph was no exception.

Joe became the master of his master's house. His master was Potiphar, captain of the Egyptian guard. In Joseph's role as chief steward, he was both trusted and trustworthy. But, it seems that the astute ways of this young man helped to make him an appealing target for a wicked and licentious woman. The wife of Joseph's master fell for Joseph... and she wasn't subtle about it either. "Lie with me!" she said to him day after day (Genesis 39:7 & 10). Finally, when she was alone with him in the house, she literally took hold of him and attempted to force him into her bed. Her insatiable determination to have Joseph was so consuming that he literally had to run out of his robe to get away from her.

Now, lest you and I ever imagine that if we would just "do the right things" then God would automatically solve all of our problems and fix all of our pains... notice that Joseph did the right thing and it cost him his job. Potiphar's wife lied about the situation. She accused Joseph of doing the thing that she was actually guilty of doing. So Joe went to jail!  But God was with him there too. Joseph became as influential and prosperous in the prison as he had been in the house of Potiphar. Only now he was one step closer to where he needed to be... in the palace.