Genesis 41:37-44 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his
servants. (38) And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can
we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" (39)
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this,
there is none so discerning and wise as you are. (40)
You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as
you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you." (41)
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land
of Egypt." (42) Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his
hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and
put a gold chain about his neck. (43) And he made him ride in his second chariot.
And they called out before him, "Bow the knee!" Thus he set him over
all the land of Egypt. (44) Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am
Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the
land of Egypt."
How Joseph
must have longed for this day, the day when he would be drawn out of the pit,
released from prison and set free. We cannot know what Joseph thought that day
would be like and what he had planned to do after his release, but he could not
have anticipated what God had in store for him. This chapter shows us the God
does exalt and lift up the humble; He does answer the prayer of the oppressed, of
those who suffer injustice. Joseph goes from prisoner to second in command,
from the pit, to the table of the king.
Genesis 41
tells us not only of how Joseph is released from prison and exalted to a high
position, it also points us to the even greater work of Christ. In many
respects Genesis 41 foreshadows Christ’s resurrection, his release from the
bondage of death and sin, and his subsequent exaltation to the right hand of
God the Father. Christ like Joseph is delivered and vindicated, restored and
exalted. It is clear in both cases that it is the work of God, Pharaoh
acknowledges that Joseph is filled with the Spirit of God, and Christ rises
from the dead in divine power. Both lead many to see the glory of God, Pharaoh
and his court, his wise men and advisers, see God at work in Joseph and see the
glory of God. Christ after his resurrection appeared to the disciples and many
others, and they too saw the glory of God and glorified God.
As we noted
yesterday, God does not forget His people, He does not abandon them, and we are
called to trust in God and in His timing. When God does deliver us we see that
His will, work and timing is best, in fact it far surpasses, exceeds any of our
expectations. The trials and tests that we go through often cause us to doubt
the goodness, faithfulness, wisdom and sovereignty of God. The evil one seeks
to sow these seeds of doubt in our minds and it is not long before we find
ourselves feeling like Joseph, trapped in a pit, in a prison, with no sign of
deliverance. How we then rejoice when God does act and deliver us! We are ashamed
of our previous doubts and are strengthened in our faith, having once again
seen that God is true to His promises and faithful to His people, working all
things together for the good of those who love Him.
Our good and faithful Father, we worship You
today knowing that You are ever with us and always at work for the furtherance of
Your glory and for our highest good. Thank You that we can know that You are
present with us even in the trials of life, and that in Your time You will
deliver us. Thank You that when we see that deliverance it will fill us with
joy and strengthen our faith. We pray that You will help us to persevere through
the times of difficulty, enabling us to remind ourselves that You are present,
You are at work and You will in Your time deliver us and reveal once more Your
glory and goodness to us. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment