Read with Me
Genesis 41:37-46 (HCSB)
The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find anyone like this, a man who has God’s spirit in him?” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as intelligent and wise as you are. You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “See, I am placing you over all the land of Egypt.” Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, clothed him with fine linen garments, and placed a gold chain around his neck. He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, and servants called out before him, “Abrek!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will be able to raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt without your permission.” Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah and gave him a wife, Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest at On. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
Joseph was 30 years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout the land of Egypt.
Listen with Me
Joseph had done what none of the wise men and soothsayers of Egypt had been able to do. He had not only interpreted Pharaoh’s troubling dreams, but he had also gone further, designing a plan that would help Egypt to survive the impending seven-year-long famine. To the Pharaoh, this signified that Joseph possessed wisdom that was far superior to that of anyone else in the whole of Egypt. As such, he seemed like the ideal person to head up the massive project that would ensure that the land would be able to survive.
The promotion of a foreigner to such a high position, especially raising them in a single action from prisoner to viceroy, was not completely unheard of in the long history of Egypt, but it was very rare. Joseph was given nearly unfettered authority in the land from that moment forward. He was also given a wife who was a daughter of one of the priests of the land, a sign of Pharaoh’s favor.
It had been thirteen years since Joseph had been sold by his brothers (Genesis 37:2), and he was now thirty years old. But even though most of that time had been spent in jail, God had not left him alone. He was constantly working in Joseph’s heart and in his mind, giving him great wisdom and maturity in preparation for this day.
Joseph wasted no time. The first year of plenty was nearly upon them, and even that first crop needed to be stored up for the future. So, with the full authority of the throne, he went throughout the whole land of Egypt, putting God’s plan into place.
Pray with Me
Father, it is easy to forget that, even though our timelines tend to be short due to our limited lifespans, Yours are long. You had no problem keeping Joseph “on ice” for thirteen years as You worked Your wisdom into him. When the right time arrived, You moved him forward, and he was ready. Lord, help me to continue to move forward with You, leaving all the timelines and agendas in Your hand, until you have me ready for all You have in store for me. Amen.