I couldn’t hold back what I felt at my quiet time in the early hours of the dawn today, it being a new day like any other to rejoice and be glad in it as God’s own making.
My passage from the bible was Genesis 40, just in the middle of the wonderful Joseph character and the choice of this being triggered by the fact that it’s our week’s study at my Care Group fellowship (usually known as cell) this eve in the 40th week of handling the first book of the Bible.
Chapter 40 being a passage in context of the whole book, I kicked off by considering that bigger picture;
- So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them – Genesis 1:27
- Man disobeyed God and hence fell short of His glory – Genesis 3
- After that we see God continually restoring (redeeming) a people (nation) for Himself beginning with Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). [of course Noah in an earlier dispensation]
Through all this, the Sovereignty of God is evident even in using unbelievers (like Pharaoh’s kingdom) in accomplishing His purpose and promise to Abraham. Joseph was a means of saving Jacob’s household, Israel (including Judah Joseph’s brother) of which the ‘Lion Of Judah’ (Jesus) was set to come and be a blessing to all peoples on earth (Gen 12:2-3)
Here comes the dreamer, previously betrayed and rejected by his own brothers, sold into slavery without a choice, lied about of rape charges by the country’s Captain of the guard’s wife, now in coolers with a future unknown. Amidst all these, two more suspects that is; the king’s chief baker and cup bearer are added into the same jail with unclear charges against the king then Joseph’s former boss and jailer appoints him leader over the king’s officials. All this sounds a coincidence but looking at the flow of events, the timing, the place, the people and the relationships it’s just a divine plan and purpose predestined to be.
One same night the two officials both get dreams, with still anonymous meaning they do what a worried man often loves doing – make a sad look. In verse 7, Joseph the care taker notices that and with his pastoral like heart sets out and asks, why do you look so sad today? This concern later involves Joseph in a highly ranked future he gets into but at that time he was doing his job as a God servant. This has remained a great echoing in me of how much sensitive am I to such concerns among the people God has placed around me, it just takes a heart to love God and His people nothing to do with professionalism. A call to be alert to make use of every opportunity my way.
Now the dreamer who previously landed into trouble that completely changed his life is gets involved into other dreams, this time not his own. Through all this, one thing is evident in his character – a heart after God even when he tells the officials, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams”. Christians, let’s be careful ‘not to serve God’ rather always acknowledge that it’s God who causes us to will and to act unto godliness in everything for his service to the glory of his Name.
From the later passage of the chapter, Joseph interprets the dreams perfectly right which is evidence of the divine reliance he always valued and quested for through his decisions. How about me? Can I embrace this? Can I always find my delight in God and His incomprehensible ways and timing?
This reminded me of one of my old favorite Psalm texts;
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust in him and he will do this; He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noon day sun – Psalm 37:4-6
Joseph – the dreamer later interprets the Kings dreams and is appointed to the highest office throughout Egypt after the king. He was in charge of every kingdom affairs including his former bosses and years later saves His family from a severely drought hit Israel.
Pondering at all this brings several questions rolling back to the event; what if Joseph didn’t get concerned to ask the officials? What if he wasn’t wrongly charged? What if he didn’t remain hopeful (in God of course) and terminated his life amidst these series of hard situations? One answer, God’s sovereign choice and plan isn’t limited by man, evil and time.
Was Joseph at work in all this? God was. So what does this teach me about God? His ways? Trusting him? Waiting upon his will (patience)? Delighting in Him?
Some parallels not to ignore of Joseph as a Jesus typal (a shadow of what was to come – Colossians 2:17);
- Betrayed by their closest.
- Innocently charged.
- The three men ending up in three different destinations.
- The three days.
- On the same night (Jesus had the last supper was also betrayed & the two officials here judged on the same night)
Comments
comments
