Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you,there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” (Genesis 41:39-40)
Back in the 20th Century, here in England there were only a few television channels to choose from.
As the 20th turned into the 21st Century the selections exploded to hundreds. Now with the Internet and technology on smart devices there is such a wide range of options, people are so spoilt for choice, people don’t even know which channel to choose. As each channel competes for your viewership they endeavour to make sure they are the best medium for the programmes you will enjoy.
In the time before television, those in power and with wealth still had a lot of channels to check to see something they like to see, something that would fit them. So when Pharaoh had two dreams in the same night that troubled him, he looked to the various channels he had on offer. Counsellors, wise men, magicians, he did not have a shortage. He had a large number of channels to choose from. Yet for every channel he chose it proved to be nothing of value – it did not meet his needs.
It took a cupbearer whose memory suddenly kicked in a couple of years after the event, about a channel he knew that would be useful for interpreting dreams. When you have proven to be effective as a channel for one – it keeps you in contention to be the channel of choice for others.
So here is Joseph – who for 17 years has endured fraternal rejection, abandonment, slavery, being a stranger in a strange land, false rape accusations, imprisonment and neglect. Here is, with his opportunity. He has finally been remembered, he has been sorted out to have an audience with the most powerful person in the country. He could show off, he could do what he did with his brothers and his parents so long ago. He could let them know what his dreams said about him.
Yet even at this stage, Joseph more than ever remembers that he is a channel of choice because he is not the originator of the content. He is just a channel. He is the means through which the actual Originator can show what He has to show. Joseph is not in it for self, he is a channel for the God who interprets dreams and who orders the ways of man, to make Himself known.
When the channel shows such astounding and trustworthy programming what tends to happen is that people tend to stick to the channel. Pharaoh knew a good channel when he saw one. With the marvellous content that had been revealed to him, he knew better than to go to another channel. He knew better than to try elsewhere for what would help him and his people through that which lay ahead. With this strange guy from a strange land before him, he knew it made sense to stick to the channel that delivered the right content.
Reading this episode from that perspective challenges us with certain questions. Are we the channel people will choose? Are we a channel that presents wise, godly, righteous, astute, productive, insightful and constructive content? What will we do when someone chooses to turn onto our channel?
Will they have found the right channel?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 