"Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth." (Genesis 42:6)
Joseph's story is the stuff of dreams. He had two dreams about his brothers someday bowing to him. His brothers had other ideas and did all they could to destroy the dreams. But Joseph never lost hope and when in prison two men each had a dream and Joseph's interpretation of those two dreams would eventually lead to his release. Two years later, Pharaoh has two dreams. When none of the Egyptian soothsayers could interpret the dreams, the butler recalls Joseph who had precisely interpreted his dream and Joseph is summoned. Joseph tells Pharaoh that there will be seven years of bumper crops followed by seven years of famine. He goes on to make a recommendation.
“Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one- fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.” So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:33-43)
Eventually Joseph's brothers would come during the famine to find food and would bow before him as God said! He will end up saving his family from starvation and in so doing will keep the hope of salvation alive. If the Hebrew race had not survived we would have no Savior--and no hope!
When their father dies, the brothers fear Joseph would get revenge. Note Joseph's response:
Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:19-21)
Joseph recognizes the sovereign hand of God in this and was submissive to God’s plan.
Our hope rests in this--God's will cannot be thwarted! His purposes will be fulfilled!
Hope is unconquerable!
No comments:
Post a Comment