(This is part of a series profiling the life of Joseph as conveyed in the book of Genesis. You can catch up on the rest of the series by clicking here. The following reflections cover Genesis 41:37-57)
Ain’t no need to worry what the night is gonna bring, it will be all over in the morning. Joseph has experienced quite the night of his life. Thrown into a pit and then sold into slavery by his brothers. Thrown into prison and then forgotten by someone he was expecting a little help from. He was in the pit at the age of 17 and now his morning dawns as he turns 30. But what a dawning.
Joseph Rules
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
Genesis 41:41 (ESV)
What a turnaround of affairs for Joseph. Not just being accredited for the service provided, but then given the ultimate promotion. For Pharaoh to reach that place in acknowledging Joseph as not just one fit for a specific task, but fit for a position of prominence in the country, it’s the sort of thing that can only go down as the marvellous favour of the Lord once more on behalf of one of his own. It’s remarkable, though, that the favour of the Lord places people in positions of responsibility. The deal Joseph gets every step of the way is to work out something and have oversight of something. People could leave him to it because they knew the favour of the Lord was on him as seen in the fruit that emerged from his labours. Potiphar, the chief prison warden and now Pharaoh could leave everything to Joseph trusting him to make the most of things.
And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!”
Genesis 41:43 (ESV)
Read this and think of how awesome God is. A man in a pit. A man grossly mistreated. Now the same man who was mistreated is to be accorded the same reverence as the most powerful man in the region. All because he remained faithful to his God and a man of integrity in the light of great pressure to succumb. It is not to say that you only get that if you do that, it is to observe that Joseph is experiencing this because of his cooperation with God and remaining true to Him. It’s also worth musing on the thought that Potiphar’s wife – if she was still around – would have to take the knee to the man that she falsely accused. How the tables have turned. Not just Potiphar’s wife, but Potiphar himself. Everyone who is not Pharaoh would have to bow before this one.
It’s intriguing considering what else Pharaoh does to establish Joseph in a new position in life. A name change and assigned a wife from one of the religious families. Some commentators suggest that Joseph’s new name is a reflection of his ability to reveal secrets. That in itself in those days would establish him as a man of great esteem considering the lengths that Pharaoh had taken to get those revelations. Pharaoh is doing all he can to integrate Joseph into Egyptian royalty. Everything is new for Joseph, from the clothes he wears to the company he keeps. Forget walking like an Egyptian, Joseph is as good as a part of the club now.
It in itself reveals something about how the culture responds to those who benefit it. There’s something about acknowledging the benefit and then assimilating those who provide that benefit almost to be absorbed into being a part of the culture.
While the Going is Good
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 41:49 (ESV)
Favour has been the theme of Joseph’s life to this point. At this stage in the development of Joseph’s story, he is diligent in making the most of the favour as he was with his father and as he was with Potiphar. He does not just suggest a policy, but he puts it into action.
It’s just so good to know that Joseph is not just all talk. There’s a rhythm he’s established throughout his character outline. He recognises he’s there to do good works and he gets on with it.
While others are enjoying the plenty, he’s about taking crucial steps in strategic areas to ensure there’s more than enough saved. His diligence and attention to duty reinforce the aspect of his character that is not satisfied with resting on accomplishments, achievements or the attainment of a high position. He is there to work – he is there to oversee the work and ensure that it is done to the standard of excellence.
Joseph and Sons
Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Genesis 41:51-52 (ESV)
Here he is, the President of Egypt, with only the Pharaoh as his boss, but he gives names to his sons that ever mark his life to this point. When he sees his firstborn he’ll always remember where he’s coming from and the grace of God to give him a brighter outlook. When he sees his next son, he appreciates his position is something worth remembering in terms of where he is and how he got there. It’s a thing of significance and it leaves behind a legacy to be remembered for generations afterwards. The boys might be born in Egypt and have the best that the country has to offer in terms of status. Even as the country and surrounding area suffer, his wise counsel and policy in place ensures that they need never suffer from lack.
What if we were similarly sensitive to mark significant developments in our lives? What if the birth of new life was treated with due sensitivity and named as such in the light of what God has done and is doing for does for us?
When A Plan Comes Together
Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.
Genesis 41:57 (ESV)
Time after time, I love it when I see God’s plan come together. You can imagine people questioning Joseph’s strategy throughout the years of plenty. Did he really need to save so much? Did he really need to have these stores? You know things were very different as soon as times got hard. that level of godly insight is not just making Joseph the centre of attention for the Egyptians. That godly insight reaches far beyond his sphere of influence. Just consider that.
Joseph, Jesus and Us – Same and Different
Jesus served and suffered and His obedience to death led to assuming a crown and position that would place Him in the best place to rescue others. His suffering, crucifixion and resurrection granted Him the authority to likewise take those who are suffering to a place where they experience a wonderful transformation. There is the change that takes place when faith is exercised and then there’s the transformation promised to those who endure to the end who will experience a glorious transformation take place from mortal to immortality. In the meantime, we too get to enjoy and endure all seasons because of God’s wisdom, even as Joseph was given that wisdom to enable those around him to enjoy and endure the seasons of plenty and famine. The faith that connects us to Jesus liberates us to the new life found in Him – a new life, a new identity with a new capacity to enact wise acts not just for benefit for the benefit of others.
Likewise, just as Jesus went about doing good, so His disciples recognised their responsibility to serve and oversee the service of those doing good. The apostle Paul would highlight that those who respond to the call of Jesus Christ, recognise they are created for good works. Not that the good works are to achieve some favour from God, but the good works reflect being recipients of the favour of God. As we go about being faithful to what God calls us to do, however great or small it might appear, those works likewise can have repercussions that go far beyond our perceived sphere of influence.
Questions from Joseph: Wisdom and Interpretation
- What do you learn about God being Joseph in the good times?
- The name a father gives a child is significant. What is the significance of the names of his sons then and now?
- When you consider the wisdom of God in action during this episode, what reasons would you give for the importance of pursuing godly wisdom on a personal, relational, communal and national level?
- What do you learn about the character of Joseph in the good times and how does that inform your approach to character development?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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