Genesis 48 and 49 share the story of Jacob’s patriarchal blessings that he gave his family members before his death, and the following is a summary of how those events occurred.
Joseph was informed that his elderly father was ill, so he visited him and took his two sons with him. Upon his arrival at his father’s abode, Jacob sat up in his bed and recounted to Joseph his encounter with God at Luz. He shared the words God spoke to him, “Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.” Additionally, Jacob told Joseph he would adopt Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, into his family, and they would share in the covenant blessings bestowed on his sons.
Suffering from blindness, Jacob was unable to see his grandsons clearly, so he requested them to come closer to him that he would be able to bless them. Moreover, Jacob lets Joseph know how happy he was to be reunited with him and able to get acquainted with his grandsons.
When Jacob blessed his grandsons, he crossed his hands, which caused his right hand, which signified birthright inheritance on the younger brother. Seeing what happened, Joseph attempted to correct the hand placement; however, Jacob stopped him and said, “I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.”
In this chapter’s closing remarks, Jacob invocated the blessings of the covenant, shepherd, deliverer God on Joseph and his sons. Jacob said, “God, before whom my father’s Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my father’s Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” Also, he bequeathed Joseph the Shechem property, which he took from the Amorites, and reassured him that God would be with him and bring him back to the land of Canaan.
In chapter 49, Jacob gathered all of his sons to his bedside and prophecied to them from the oldest to the youngest. When he got to Joseph, he talked about God making him a fruitful tree and allowing him to expand beyond their household despite the hatred and the many attacks of the enemy on his life. He ended proclaiming victory and rich blessings on Joseph.
So, once again, as I did in the previous blogs of this series, I will close this blog with a few points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember:
- When your parents are ill, and you can visit them, do so.
- Blessings come from God.
- Some blessings are not just for you but also your descendants.
- Your birth order does not matter when God has a blessing for you.
In Genesis 46, in his last communication with his brothers, Joseph instructed them what to say about their occupation when introducing them to Pharaoh. However, in Genesis 47, when he took five of his brothers to meet Pharaoh and Pharaoh asked them their occupation, they did not follow Joseph’s instruction. The brothers told Pharaoh what they were instructed not to say,” Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers. For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants’ dwell in the land of Goshen.” Pharaoh responds by reiterating his offer of residency in Goshen’s land and employment positions of overseeing his cattle.
Next, Joseph brought his father Jacob to meet Pharaoh and Jacob greeted Pharaoh with a blessing. Jacob shares with Pharaoh a bit of his pilgrimage, which he describes as “Few and evil,” and Jacob again blessed Pharaoh before departing.
As the famine years progressed, the Egyptians spent all their monies purchasing corn, then sold their cattle for corn, next they sold their land to buy corn, and finally sold themselves into slavery for food. Except for the land where the priest resided, Joseph was able to obtain all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh, and he moved the people into designated cities. When the famine ended, Joseph gave the Egyptians seeds that they could grow the crop. He taxed them one-fifth of their increase and allowed them to keep the remainder for which they were thankful and willing to do.
The chapter ends by disclosing that the Israelites grew and multiplied exceedingly, and Jacob lived in Egypt, enjoying his fatherly relationship with Joseph for seventeen years. As he got close to death, he made this request to Joseph, “If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying place.” Joseph complied, and satisfied Jacob bowed his head in worship.
So, once again, as I did in the previous blogs of this series, I will close this blog with points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember:
- When someone who is informed about a situation shares relevant information with you, listen
- Do as you are instructed.
- In times of famine, God blesses His people with housing, provision, and employment.
- One of the honors you can bestow on someone is a blessing.
- Some hardships that we experience in life are self-imposed.
- God will cause great men to favor you.
- Countries suffer during times of famine.
- A famine can cause you to lose everything that is important to you.
- One man’s loss is another man’s gain.
- Don’t touch the priest stuff.
- When able give to the needy.
- Be thankful when people are kind to you.
- Taxation was implemented in the days of Joseph.
- God’s plan is for His people to grow and multiply.
- Give instructions for your burial to a responsible person.
On his journey from Hebron to Egypt, after traveling about a week, Jacob arrived at Beersheba, where he offered sacrifices to his forefather’s God. Additionally, God spoke to Jacob in a night-vision and assured him not to fear, He would be with him in Egypt, his family would become a great nation, that he would return to Canaan, and Joseph, his beloved son, would be present at the time of his death.
Furthermore, chapter 46 revealed the sixty-six family members who accompanied Jacob down into Egypt, and it shared the names of Jacob’s wives, his wives’ handmaidens, his sons, daughter, grandsons, and granddaughter. The families rode in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent for them, and they took their cattle and goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan with them.
After twenty-two years, the long-anticipated reunion between father and son took place in Goshen, the Nile delta’s fertile northeast section. Joseph’s strong affection for his father was displayed as he copiously wept on Jacob’s neck. Happy to be reunited with his son Jacob said, “Now let me die, since I have seen thy face, because thou art yet alive.”
Finally, knowing the Egyptians disdain for all sheepherders, Joseph instructs his brothers to say to Pharaoh when they met with him, “Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers.”
So, once again, as I did in the previous blogs of this series, I will end this blog with points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember:
- When given the opportunity, offer sacrifices to God.
- Listen for the voice of God even in the night season.
- Invite the true God of your father to also your God.
- Your best assurance in life is knowing God will be with you; thus, you do not have to fear.
- Don’t go anywhere the presence of God is not.
- Please don’t leave any family behind; take them with you to the place of provision.
- A forerunner’s responsibility is to lead you in the right direction.
- It is a wonderful and emotional event to reunite with a person you know loves you dearly.
- A wise person will instruct others about offensive things.
In Genesis 44, Joseph’s brothers passed the test, with Judah being their spokesperson sharing their true sentiments about their father and brother Benjamin. Feeling satisfied with their response Joseph who was overcome with emotions, revealed to them his true identity. Wanting this to be a private moment between him and his brothers, Joseph sent his attendants away. However, before he could tell them who he was, he allowed his years of pent up emotions to be displayed in a time of crying, after which he shared his identity and asked an important question, “I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?”
Since he talked to his brothers in their native tongue without an interpreter, at first, they were surprised and then terrified with this announcement. Joseph continued to speak to them and calmed their fears with words of truth, encouragement, comfort, hugs, kisses, more tears, and reassurance. Joseph realized his role was to preserve lives, and he shared this fact with his brethren; he told them, “And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.”
Meanwhile, the bible never revealed if Pharaoh knew Joseph’s history, but when he heard Joseph’s brothers was in Egypt, he was excited and happy for Joseph. He confirmed Joseph’s words to them about moving, and he invited them to move to Egypt, where they would be amply cared for while residing in Goshen, which was located in the easterly province of Egypt near the Arabian Gulf.
Following Pharaoh’s instructions, Joseph gave them wagons to transport their families back to Egypt and provisions of corn, bread, and meat to eat along the way. Additionally, he gave each brother changes of raiment; but he gave five changes of clothes and three hundred pieces of silver to Benjamin. His final admonishment to his brothers before they departed was, “See that ye fall not out by the way.”
When the brothers returned home, they shared the news of Joseph and his desire for the family to move to Egypt with their father. At first, Jacob did not believe their words; however, when he saw the wagons with all the provisions, he said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.”
As I did in the previous blogs of this series, I will end this blog with points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember:
- Some family discussions and revelations should be done in private.
- When emotions have been pent up for a long time, the final release of them can be explosive.
- Priorities are revealed in conversations.
- In God’s time, the full meaning of dreams will be revealed.
- For His people, God has a plan of preservation and posterity.
- You know you are free when you can love the people that offended you.
- Sometimes your offender has difficulty accepting the fact that you have forgiven them.
- Guilt can hold people in bondage.
- When you are happy, people that care for you will be pleased for you.
- Divine connections can benefit your future.
- In your move, God can provide you with new stuff.
- It is easier to blame than to take responsibility for your negative actions.
- Move forward and don’t look back.
- God can restore that which was lost.
- When God gives you a Word it will come to fruition.
In Genesis 43, Joseph had the second encounter with his brothers, which ended with them dining with him at his house. At first, the brothers were apprehensive about meeting with Joseph, who still had not revealed his identity to them, but they were all amiable by the end of the unstinted meal.
Even though he sometimes became emotional while listening to his brothers talk about the past, before revealing his true identity to them, Joseph decided to test their loyalty to their brother Benjamin and concern for their aged father. Therefore, before the brothers left his house, Joseph once again tells his steward to fill their sacks with the monies they brought to purchase the corn and place his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack.
When the brother reached a short distance out of the city, Joseph sent the steward after them to accuse them of theft. When confronted by the steward with the robbery of Joseph’s silver cup, which was known for use by the Asiatics in divination practices, the brothers vehemently denied doing so. They replied, “Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing: Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold? With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.” However, the steward told them only the guilty person would be retained, and he proceeded to search their sacks from the oldest to the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. In dismay and not knowing how the cup got into Benjamin’s sack, the brothers ripped their clothes and gathered their things to head back to the city.
When they arrived at Joseph’s house where they met him, they prostrated themselves on the ground. Joseph accused them of stealing, to which Judah replied, “What shall we say unto my lord? What shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s servants, both we, and he also with whom the cup is found.” But Joseph said, “God forbid that I should do so: but the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant; and as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.”
This forty-fourth chapter of Genesis ends with Judah rehearsing the exchange between him and their father Jacob before the brothers came to Egypt for the second time. He tells Joseph their father would die of grief if the brothers returned home without Benjamin; therefore, he was willing to take Benjamin’s place and suffer whatever consequence would befall Benjamin.
As I did in the previous blogs of this series, I will end this blog with points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember:
- In life, people will test you (set you up) to see how you respond.
- When people set you up, they do it strategically.
- When you are charged with a crime for which you are blameless, you will proclaim your innocence.
- Not knowing Joseph’s cup was placed in Benjamin’s sack, the brothers said to the steward, “With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen.” Be mindful of the words you speak, for you may regret them in the future.
- When the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack, the brothers rent their clothes. The possibilities of the unknown can cause you to grieve prematurely.
- In The Living Bible, Genesis 44:16 states, “And Judah said, Oh, what shall we say to my lord? How can we plead? How can we prove our innocence? God is punishing us for our sins. Sir, we have all returned to be your slaves, both we and he in whose sack the cup was found.” Some people think that they can sin without consequences; however, your sins will eventually find you out.
- Some tests reveal your priorities.
- Some tests reveal your character.
- Some tests make you remember things that you wanted to forget.
- When you are fighting for your life, be careful how you frame your words.
- Due to the information presented to Jacob, he thought a wild animal killed Joseph. Deception can cause you to conclude wrongly.
- Jacob’s life was bound up to Benjamin, whom he thought was the only surviving child of Rachel. Grief is real. The loss of a child can cause pain and suffering that some parents never recover, and some even die from grief. Also, grief causes people to be scared of losing other love ones.
- Knowing their father would grieve over his absence, Judah was willing to be a scapegoat so that Benjamin could return home. Does your life matter to someone enough that they would make a sacrifice of their life for yours?
Jacob and his family consumed all the corn that his sons obtained in Egypt, and once again, they were experiencing a lack of food. Thus, Jacob told his sons to return to Egypt to purchase more corn; however, Judah reminded him of the words of Joseph, “Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.” After much discussion and Judah pledging to bring Benjamin home, Jacob hesitantly permitted Benjamin to accompany his brother to Egypt. Additionally, they all took gifts of fruits, balm, honey, spices, myrrh, and nuts along with the amount of monies that they discovered in their sack when they returned from their first trip to Egypt to give to Joseph.
Upon their arrival in Egypt, when Joseph saw Benjamin with the brothers, he arranged for them to dine at his house. At the house, the brother informed Joseph’s steward about the monies they found in their sack and their desire to give it to back; however, the steward replied, “Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money.”
While awaiting an audience with Joseph, Simeon was reunited with his brothers, and they were treated to Egyptian civilities. When Joseph came home, salutations were exchanged, and the brothers once again fulfilled Joseph’s dream by bowing down to him several times amid their conversation. Furthermore, when Joseph saw his younger brother Benjamin, he was so overcome with emotions that he had to leave the room and cry. After getting himself together, he returned and had the noon meal with them.
For this meal, the tables were arranged in three groups. Joseph had his own table, the Egyptians that ate with him had their table, and the brothers were placed around a third table according to their birth order. When the meal was served, Joseph sent food from his table to the brothers, but Benjamin was given five times the amount of food that his brothers received.
All in all, this day had been stressful for the brothers because they were not sure what would happen to them throughout the day. First, they were apprehensive about returning the monies found in their sack. Then they were uncertain about whether Joseph would believe they were not thieves. As promised to Jacob, they had to make sure no evil befell Benjamin, and finally, they wondered who knew their birth order and sat them at their table accordingly. However, because Joseph treated them kindly, they could relax for Genesis 43:34 ended the chapter saying, “And they drank and were merry with him.”
As I did in the previous blogs of this series, I will end this blog with points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember:
- Things often get worse before they get better.
- People choose to ignore that which they do not want to do.
- Time is precious; don’t waste it.
- When you talk, you cannot be sure what the listener’s response will be.
- If Benjamin did not accompany his brothers to Egypt, the family would eventually starve to death. Jacob laid aside his feeling for the survival and good of his family and Judah was willing to sacrifice himself for the good of the family. What sacrifices are you making for your family?
- Apparently, Jacob had not changed; he reacted similarly to what he did with his brother Esau. He felt when there is a possibility of trouble, give gifts to appease the offended.
- Return that which does not belong to you.
- God’s mercies are needed in the affairs of our life.
- Though he had not seen nor communicated with him in over 20 years, Joseph was concerned about his father’s well-being. Are you concerned about your parents?
- The last time Joseph saw Benjamin, he was probably a young child, and now he was in his early twenties. Seeing Benjamin caused Joseph to want to connect with him and let him know he was special.
- When you are able speak blessings over your family members.
- There are many ways to express your emotions; when touched, men will cry.
- How well can you hold your peace? Joseph had a second encounter with his brothers and was able to not reveal his identity to them.
- Joseph treated his brothers kindly and made them welcome in his home. Can you invite persons that hurt you into your home and treat them with kindness?
The seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt ended, and now it is the second year of famine that had spread throughout the land and into other countries. This famine reached Hebron in southern Canaan, where Jacob and his family resided, and when he heard that corn was being sold down in Egypt, he sent ten of his sons on the approximately 300 miles journey to Egypt to purchase food. Scared that something might happen to the youngest son Benjamin if he traveled with his brothers, Jacob kept him home.
Upon meeting the governor, they unknowingly bowed down to him, fulfilling the dream that Joseph shared with them when he was a teenager while part of the family in Canaan. It had been twenty-two years since the brothers had seen Joseph, so they did not recognize Joseph, the governor of Egypt, who oversaw the selling of corn. Additionally, he was clean-shaven, dressed in the Egyptians’ official garments, and communicated with them using an interpreter; however, Joseph recognized them but did not reveal his identity. Instead, Joseph harshly questioned them and accused them four times of being spies, which they repeatedly denied. In their response, they told Joseph about their family, “Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not” (Genesis 42:13).
Joseph acted like he did not believe them; thus, to make them prove their innocence, he said, “Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.” However, before this took place, Joseph placed his brothers in prison, and after three days, he met with them with a change in his requirements. He said, “This do, and live; for I fear God: If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die” (Genesis 42:18-20).
Unwittingly in Joseph’s hearing, his brothers recounted Joseph’s pleas, which they disregarded when they placed him in the pit and sold him to the Midianites. Now they felt after all these years; God was possibly punishing them for their actions. At this point, Joseph’s emotions got the best of him; so, he left them and privately cried.
Upon returning to them, Simeon was chosen to stay in prison while his nine brothers returned home. Joseph had his steward fill their sacks with corn and the monies they used to purchase the corn. He also gave them provisions to eat along the way. Only one of the brothers discovered the returned monies during their journey home; however, this caused them to become fearful and say, “What is this that God hath done unto us?” This fear was compounded when the others discovered their monies in their sacks when they got home.
After arriving back in Canaan, the brothers told their father what happened to them, Simeon imprisonment, and the requirements placed on them to purchase corn in the future. Jacob was distraught over the things they said, and he adamantly declared he would not allow Benjamin to go to Egypt despite Rueben offering the lives of his two sons if he did not go back to Egypt and return with Benjamin in hand. This chapter ends with the words of Jacob, “My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.”
As I did in the previous blogs of this series, I will end this blog with points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember:
- If you are experiencing famine and God reveals where provisions are, go after it.
- No matter the age, parents are concerned about their children’s well-being.
- It may take years for your dream to come to fruition, don’t lose hope; it will come.
- Years prior to this time, Joseph’s words to the chief butler would lead one to believe he wanted to return to his father’s household. However, after his elevation to the governorship, marriage, and the birth of his first son, it appeared the pain of the past no longer tormented his mind and that he was no longer thinking about returning to his father’s house. No doubt, his brethren’s appearance opened back up emotional feelings that Joseph probably thought were dead. Furthermore, running through his mind probably was how he should treat them and would they recognize him. Think about this. What will you do when you come face to face with the people that abused you in the past? What will you say; how will you react?
- Be strategic in your revelations
- Being without his natural family for so long, Joseph missed the love of his father and brother Benjamin. Now that he sees his half-brothers and hears that his father and younger brother are still alive, he yearns to see them. It is natural to yearn to see your family, especially after long times of separation.
- Take your time when making decisions.
- Let the fear of God motivate and direct you.
- Rather than retaliation, show mercy.
- Reaping can make you reflect on what you sowed.
- Don’t be fooled; people remember what you did and what they did.
- Take responsibility for your actions.
- Reliving painful experiences can be gut retching.
- Some memories are harrowing even after a long time has passed, and when remembered, they will bring you to tears.
- Joseph did not hold a grudge when given the opportunity, but he showed compassion to all of his family. Can you do that?
- In allowing his brethren to return home, Joseph showed trust. Are you willing to trust those that offended you?
- Amid trouble, people will question God’s involvement in their situation.
- People cherish that which reminds them of the one they love.
Two years passed without Joseph hearing anything about the request he made to the chief butler whose dream he interpreted while he was in prison. Joseph had said to him, “But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon” (Genesis 40:14-15). Fortunately, Pharaoh had two dreams the magicians and the wise men of Egypt could not interpret that caused the butler to remember the young thirty-year-old Hebrew prisoner named Joseph, who had interpreted his dream.
The butler told Pharaoh about his encounter with Joseph and how he interpreted his dream and the chief baker’s dream. After hearing the butler’s words, Pharaoh wanted an immediate audience with Joseph, who could possibly interpret his two troubling dreams. So, Pharaoh sent for Joseph in the dungeon, but before appearing before Pharaoh, Joseph shaved and changed his clothes.
Pharaoh told Joseph he heard that he could interpret dreams; however, Joseph responded by saying, “It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Pharaoh then proceeded to tell Joseph his two dreams. Though one dream had a pastoral setting and the other an agricultural setting, Joseph told Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do,” and he was given these two dreams because “God established the thing, and God would shortly bring it to pass.”
After hearing the interpretation that there would be seven years of abundance, followed by seven years of famine that would consume Egypt’s land, Joseph made some recommendations to Pharaoh. He suggested that a discreet and wise man be placed over the land of Egypt who would appoint officers to take up the fifth part of the harvest and store it under Pharaoh’s care during the seven plenteous years resulting in food for the years of famine.
Joseph’s plan sounded so appealing to Pharaoh and his servants that he choose Joseph to be the man, for he said, “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?” Additionally, he made Joseph second in command, arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, gave him the ring he wore, and placed his gold chain around Joseph’s neck, symbolizing Joseph’s authority. Furthermore, Joseph rode in the second chariot behind Pharaoh, and in respect, the Egyptians bowed down to him.
Pharaoh renamed Joseph, Zaphnathpaaneah, which means “a revealer of secrets” and gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, to be his wife. During the seven years of plenty, Asenath bore Joseph two son; the first son Joseph named Manasseh, which means “For God, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house” and the second son he called, “Ephraim, for God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Genesis forty-one ends, revealing Joseph diligently carried out his job gathering up all the food and corn and storing them in cities throughout all the land of Egypt. When the first year of famine began, Egypt had food that Joseph was able to sell to the Egyptians and people of other countries who also came to Egypt to buy corn.
As I did in the previous blogs of this series, I will end this blog with points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember.
- Imagine how Joseph felt as days became weeks and then months without hearing anything concerning his release from prison. No doubt, he probably felt his dreams would never materialize. Dreams from God may be delayed but not denied. When all appears lost, keep hope alive.
- God gives dreams to believers and unbelievers
- When God gives you a dream, you may need someone to interpret it
- The answer to your problem may be found in prison. Great men are not only found in palaces; some are in prison.
- A troubling dream was the catalyst for Joseph’s release from prison. Your freedom can come from unexpected places.
- With God’s help during the past thirteen years while a slave and then a prisoner, Joseph had developed managerial skills. Though you are in uncomfortable situations, spend your time gaining skills. God prepares us for the promise.
- Elevate qualified persons.
- The first time Joseph’s garment was taken from him was for an act of betrayal. The second time, he left his garment behind to escape from a seductress, and this third time he willingly gives up his garment to receive a garment of royalty.
- God used Joseph to bless and save an idolatrous nation.
- A wise person will save during harvest, so there will be substance during times of scarcity.
- God can change your life overnight. From being a prisoner, overnight, Joseph received promotion, power, privileges, and prestige.
- Elevation can be so rewarding; you forget the painful process.
- God can prosper you in foreign territory.
- Ask God to help you to remember those things that you need to rectify.
- You have the solution to someone’s problem, or you could be the solution to someone’s problem.
Joseph’s time in prison for a crime he did not commit is revealed in Genesis 40. Additionally, David wrote about Joseph’s imprisonment experience in Psalms 105:16-22, which states, “Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance: To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.” The scriptures and commentators are not clear concerning the time or times Joseph was shackled. I’m assuming it probably was on his way to Egypt after being sold to the Ishmaelites by his brothers and again when Potiphar incarcerated him for an alleged assault on his wife.
Though in pain physically and emotionally, Joseph did not spend his time idly or complaining but instead, he maintained a good attitude for as stated in Genesis 39:21-23, “But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.”.
During this time, Pharaoh’s chief butler and chief baker offended him, and he put them in prison and while they were there Potiphar placed them in the care of Joseph. One night both of these men had a troubling dream, which they shared with Joseph in the morning. After hearing the dreams, Joseph, with the help of God, interpreted both dreams. The dream of the butler revealed he would be reinstated to his former position in three days and the dream of the baker revealed in three days, the king would have him hung.
Thinking the butler could help him get out of prison; Joseph said to him, “But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. “Three days passed, and the interpretation of the dreams came to pass; however, the reinstated butler forgot about Joseph.
In closing, as I did in the previous blogs of this series, I will end with points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember:
- So far, Joseph experienced verbal abuse, physical abuse, and rejection from his brothers, false accusations from Potiphar’s wife, and faulty handling and judgment from Potiphar. His experience was painful, yet he continued doing the right thing with an excellent spirit. How do you survive unjust treatment?
- There was a responsible trait about Joseph that was recognizable by Potiphar and the warden for both of them to promote Joseph. Additionally, though he had Joseph imprisoned, Potiphar still recognized Joseph’s capabilities; so, he entrusted him with the care of the butler and baker. No matter where you are, you are what you are; no one or event can take that from you.
- Despite his plight, Joseph showed genuine concern for the baker and butler.
- Dream interpretation needs the help of God. When you have a dream, seek God for the interpretation, don’t attempt to do it independently.
- As expressed in Joseph’s words to the butler, “Life is not always pleasant, and sometimes you experience one mishap after another.”
- The people that you helped and care for can forget the kindness you bestowed on them
After recognizing God’s presence and prosperity in Joseph’s life, Potiphar elevated Joseph to overseer of his household and entrusted him with all of his affairs.
Apparently, Joseph inherited his mom Rachel’s beauty for the Message Bible states in Genesis 39:6, “Joseph was a strikingly handsome man. As time went on, his master’s wife became infatuated with Joseph, and one day said, Sleep with me.” However, Joseph told his mistress that he would not comply with her wishes because he respected Potiphar, who trusted with all that he had, and he feared God.
Potiphar’s wife was relentless in her pursuit of Joseph and daily confronted him. One day finding herself alone in the house with Joseph, she grabs his garment and says, “Lie with me.” However, Joseph escapes her grasp but leaves his garment in her hands. Not happy with Joseph’s continued rejection, she calls the other Egyptian men into the house and says, “See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out.” Additionally, she repeated this scenario to Potiphar when he returned home. Since one of Potiphar’s primary responsibilities was supervising criminals’ execution, he could have executed Joseph; instead, he placed Joseph in the king’s prison for supposedly sexually assaulting his wife.
The scriptures reveal once again, Joseph’s capabilities and favorable relationship with God were noted by the warden of the jail, and eventually, he elevated Joseph and placed him over all matters pertaining to the prison.
In closing, as I did in the two previous blogs of this series, I will end with points that I think are helpful for all of us to remember.
- So far, in Joseph’s life story, we have not read of interaction between Joseph and God; however, in this chapter, we see Joseph feared God and was able to stand for what he believed amid hardship and testing.
- Encumbered by religious superstitions, Egypt was a nation that believed in thousands of gods. Feeling alone, Joseph could have rejected the God of his ancestors and accepted the Egyptian gods, but he did not.
- Joseph’s relationship with God caused those connected with him to be blessed. It was noteworthy for Potiphar, a pagan, to recognize that God was with Joseph, and because of Joseph, he was blessed. People who may not be of the same religious faith as you; however, they can recognize the favor of God in your life. Recognition of someone’s gift can cause you to be blessed.
- In his places of confinement, Joseph was successful because God was with him. Is God with you?
- Just because someone’s socioeconomic status is lower than yours does not mean they can’t be a blessing to you. Treat everyone with respect.
- The road to the fulfillment of his dream was not easy for Joseph. Joseph needed training and administrative skills for where God was taking him. Always remember there is preparation before promise.
- The enemy will attempt to wear you down with his daily assault. Despite all obstacles, don’t give in to the enemy, remain firm, and committed to God.
- Don’t sacrifice your purity and integrity to please others. Fleeing is better than failing and falling.
- To all who will listen, the enemy will tell lies about you and wrongly accuse you.
- Though it may not appear so, God has a plan.
The Teacher's Pick 