Genesis 41:38-49 Success comes from doing the right things at the right time to fulfil the right purposes
Genesis 41:38-49 Success comes from doing the right things at the right time to fulfil the right purposes
38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. 43 He had him ride in his second chariot; and they proclaimed before him, “Bow the knee!” And he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Though I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt. 46 Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. 47 During the seven years of plenty the land brought forth abundantly. 48 So he gathered all the food of these seven years which occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities; he placed in every city the food from its own surrounding fields. 49 Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea, until he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure.
Background
Joseph could have entertained the prospect of dying in the dungeon away from his family, forsaken and forgotten. But in the midst of the gloom, God was working providentially on a grander scheme of things. All of a sudden, things were set in motion when Joseph was summoned to interpret the Pharaoh’s dreams. After accepting Joseph’s proposal, the Pharaoh wasted no time in promoting him to 2nd in command and made preparations to avert the impending catastrophe. Today’s devotion teaches us that success comes from doing the right things at the right time to fulfil the right purposes.
Observation
Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?”
The Pharaoh was impressed with Joseph’s ability to understand dreams and his wisdom in proposing an appropriate solution to counter the impending crisis. Pharaoh’s response: Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit? hinted at Joseph’s superiority over the Egyptian machinery. It is hard to imagine how impressive Joseph was that Pharaoh would accord to him such confidence in so little a time. Indeed the words that Pharaoh used to describe Joseph: divine spirit, discerning and wise portrays Joseph as one who is close to the realm of the divine, and who is also wise in administering public affairs. That said, the Pharaoh possessed a good judgment of character and was willing to make the tough decision to promote Joseph in such a short time.
Joseph’s elevation was swift as the Pharaoh wasted no time in making preparations to avert the crisis. The transfer of authority is symbolised by the transfer of the Pharaoh’s signet ring. The opulent garment and necklace were part of Joseph’s investiture as chief ruler. Parading through Egypt in the second chariot while proclaiming, “Bow the knee!” sends a conspicuous message of Joseph’s supremacy. Joseph was given to rule over every man and over every inch of the land. Only Pharaoh himself is superior to Joseph. The Pharaoh sealed Joseph’s loyalty by giving him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, as his wife. Joseph’s rise at the young age of 30 attests to God’s willingness to use the weak to lead the strong. Joseph’s assimilation into the Egyptian culture is evident by his change of name. And he became in every sense an Egyptian despite his semitic descent.
And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt.
Joseph carried out his plans with great wisdom by storing grain in the vicinity of the fields in their respective cities. And God blessed the Pharaoh on account of Joseph so much so that they had to stop taking stock of the grain because of the abundance of harvest.
Truth
Success comes from doing the right things at the right time to fulfil the right purposes
In order to fulfil God’s purposes, Joseph had to be sold into Egypt and experience grave injustices under inhumane conditions. For God had in mind to present Joseph to the Pharaoh at a divinely appointed time. While in the dungeon, Joseph did not expect to be summoned to interpret the Pharaoh’s dreams. Neither did he expect that he would be elevated to 2nd in command. For all that he knew was gloom, and the prospect of dying in the dungeons away from his family, forsaken and forgotten. Even when all hopes were lost, the memory of what he saw in his dreams: the sun, moon and stars and the sheaths bowing down to him remained vivid (see Genesis 37:5-11).
Through it all, it might not have occured to Joseph that God was actively working through a series of events so that he might be summoned at a divinely appointed moment to fulfil a divinely appointed task. However, what is considered a meaningless passing of time, is in fact God working providentially behind the scene in the course of human history.
Basic human instinct seek to pack every waking hour with activities that may not fit into God’s grand scheme of things. Man is driven by the need for significance but many had little idea how their works will dovetail into God’s sovereign plans. Though much is done, but the impact is insignificant. Their life’s work being overtaken by a younger generation and their reputations disappear into oblivion. Therefore, it will be wise to wait while allowing God’s plans to take its course. Success comes not from doing many seemingly great things, but rather doing the right things, at the right time to fulfil the right purposes.
God sees a man’s heart, not his religious appearance and practices
When Joseph was exalted as 2nd in command over Egypt, he was given an Egyptian name and married the daughter of a pagan priest. From the perspective of religion, all things point to Joseph’s regression. However, no one will dare say that Joseph was an apostate. On the contrary, he was blessed by Jacob and given two portions of inheritance normally given to the heir of the promise. Before Joseph died and embalmed according to Egyptian traditions, he gave orders for his bones to be carried to the promised land (see Genesis 50:25). Hebrews 11:22 credits Joseph as a man of faith because his heart looks to the kingdom of God even though he appears to live like any Egyptian.
Therefore, one must not be too quick to judge another by his religious knowledge, abilities or titles he may accord to himself. God judges a person according to motives and intents of the heart. Spiritual disciplines (baptism, communion, Sabbath worship, bible study, prayer and fellowship and participation of church programmes) have no value if they are not done out of the right motive.
That said, should a believer keep to the Sabbath worship and in practising spiritual disciplines? Yes! The bible commands the believer to meditate on God’s word continually (see Joshua 1:8) and to observe corporate worship as a church on the Lord’s day (see Sabbath worship, Genesis 20:8, Isaiah 58:13,14). There are other commandments and sacraments that believers must observe: water baptism, holy communion and tithing etc. However, these must be observed out of supreme love towards God and others. Joseph, despite being estranged from the religion of his fathers continued to worship God through his life of truth, love and power. When it is time for Joseph to stand before the Pharaoh, he exalted God through divine wisdom bringing salvation to the nations.
Supernatural power comes from having the right understanding and the right heart
When Joseph first interpreted his own dreams and told them to his siblings and parents, his fleshly behaviour brought nothing but strife and division. But some years later, when Joseph operated the gifts through divine wisdom it brought vindication and repentance for the king’s prisoners. Two more years later, through divine wisdom Joseph steered Egypt away from the brink of destruction. Hence, the Pharaoh commended of Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. Genesis 41:39. Indeed, those who possess divine wisdom possess abundant life.
Therefore, in order for all gifts to bear fruit of eternal blessing, we must use them with divine wisdom. Without divine wisdom, supernatural abilities not only achieve nothing, they bring definite harm.
Divine wisdom comprises two elements. Firstly, divine wisdom comprises understanding, which is the will of God. It answers the question: What is the will of God concerning this situation? What is the cause of the problem? In the case of sickness and the gift of healing, understanding reveals if the infirmity is a discipline from God in which the person needs to repent. One must not rush into healing a sick person without first gaining divine understanding of the cause of the problem. In God’s grand scheme of things, problems are providential means to achieve a greater purpose.
Secondly, divine wisdom comprises a heart undergirded by truth and right motives. This concerns the intents and motives of the minister operating in the healing gift. It answers the question: What is my role in this instance? What drives me in all my endeavours? Therefore, in the practice of supernatural abilities in work and ministry, we must put in place the right understanding and the right motives. The below figure illustrates this principle. With truth and right motives as the first foundation, we build right understanding and thereafter, supernatural abilities.
Therefore, the right heart and motive is the foundation of right understanding. Before God grants divine understanding, there must be in place a right heart. And before God grants supernatural abilities, there must be in place the right understanding. It follows, that the purer the heart, the greater the understanding of God’s will which in turn brings greater supernatural abilities.
Jesus, in the raising of Lazarus demonstrated unprecedented power because He possesses the right motives and the right understanding of God’s will.
Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” John 11:40-42
Because Jesus loves not His own life and offers it up in obedience, the Father grants to Jesus universal powers to do all things.
Application
Are you accustomed to rushing ahead of God. Learn to discern the divine time table by seeking the mind of God. We must not be motivated by the need to accomplish but rather to walk intimately with God. The process of waiting forces us to develop an appreciation for wisdom and for relationships. People who are addicted to work have little time for self reflection or for others. Such are like warm bodies without souls, shuffling their feet moving from tasks to tasks. They are like flowers without fragrance or colours, like a music box that makes distinct sounds but could not hear or appreciate the melody it produces. Therefore, we have to accept waiting as an integral part of life and learn to slow down. In so doing, life will become more exciting and fulfilling while we wait for God’s perfect timing.
Are you focused on the acquisition of skills and work advancement with little consideration for the relationships around you? The society is becoming increasingly cold, being focused on efficiency and economic progress. Families are caught up in their careers and the academic pursuits of their children. As a result, we see many families breaking down as love for another is eroded by selfish love. The church must help restore divine wisdom and values into families starting with believers’ own families. Parents must lead by example in making bible devotion as part of their daily time table. It will be helpful to erect a list of instructions which serve as a reminder to all. Here is a list adapted from the 10 commandments:
- The worship of God and the meditation of God’s word must rank above all endeavours of life, work and studies.
- Do not call on other gods or have anything to do with them.
- All promises made to another must be delivered in full.
- Do not speak presumptuously on behalf of God. Do not say, “God says …. “ when He did not actually say that.
- Honour God by worshipping in unity with other believers on a weekly basis and put the interest of others before your own.
- Honour your father and your mother by obeying their instructions that are true to the bible.
- Do not vent your anger on your children because they disrespect you. But with patience and gentleness teach them the way of righteousness.
- Do not take revenge on those who hurt you, but forgive them of their wrongdoings.
- Be faithful to your spouse by keeping your him/her closest to your heart.
- Be faithful to your children by loving them, instructing them in the way of God and by providing for them.
- Do not be envious by taking that which does not belong to you.
- Do not speak with an intent to hurt another or to please yourself.
Dear Lord, I desire to do what is right in your eyes rather than what is right in my own eyes. Help me to be more receptive to your plans and give me the patience to wait for your instructions. As I endeavour to love others and to love the truth, grant me divine wisdom so that I may be a blessing to my community. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.