Deeper Devotional

Read the story of Joseph, Genesis, Chapters 37, 39 – 50 as time permits, or Chapters 39 to 41 for an abbreviated version.

This week we have been looking at the unlikely people that God uses. One of the greatest stories in the Old Testament is the story of Joseph. Here was a boastful, seventeen year old teenage boy who bragged to his brothers that God had given him a vision, a vision of leadership and authority, and the unique gift of being able to interpret dreams. (Genesis 37:1 – 11)

But then Joseph began to experience extreme hardship in his life. He encountered more obstacles to his vision and reasons to doubt God than most people experience in their lifetime. He had a life-threatening experience at the hands of his brothers and they sold him into slavery. (Genesis 37:12 – 28) When he remained faithful to God, he was falsely accused and thrown into prison anyway. (Genesis 39:1 – 20) Even when he used his gift to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh’s servants, he was ignored and forgotten for two full years, all the while pining away in prison. (Genesis 40:1 – 23) In the midst of all his tribulation, Joseph remained faithful to God and to the vision. In God’s time He called forth the gifts that He’d given Joseph to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh and elevated Joseph to a position of authority second only to Pharaoh himself. (Genesis 41:1 – 45)

But God wasn’t finished testing Joseph’s heart. Joseph had to deal with his brothers treachery. They had conspired to kill him. They had sold him into slavery. Could he trust them? Could he forgive them? Could he reconcile with them? (Genesis 45:1 – 11) In the midst of all these hardships Joseph kept his faith in God that He would keep His promises.

What then are some key points in the story that we can apply to our own lives? Remember that God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a mighty nation that would be a blessing to all the nations of the world. (Genesis 12:3; 18:18) From our perspective we see this promise as being fulfilled in the line of redemption leading to the Messiah. But in our story, we also see God fulfilling this promise through Joseph as an immediate heir to the patriarchal promises. Joseph, the governor of Egypt, mediates divine blessing to many people. Until this time Egypt had been somewhat immune to famine because of the annual flooding of the Nile River Delta which irrigated and replenished the land. But in this case, had God not providentially spoken a warning through Joseph, the people of Egypt would’ve perished along with Joseph’s family and the future nation of Israel. With the coming famine, the people of Egypt would be “lost.” Jacob, Joseph’s brothers, and their entire families would be “lost.” The future of Israel would be “lost.”

In the midst of hardship, Joseph could have rejected God. He could have abandoned the vision, but he did not. Joseph trusted God to fulfill his covenant promises. When it came time, Joseph prophetically spoke God’s word and interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh. Joseph faithfully did what God called him to do and God blessed Joseph beyond measure.

The Lord wants to use us, as a part of the body of Christ, to fulfill His covenant promises; to bring salvation to those who would hear the Gospel and believe in Him. The question is, “Will we stand and remain faithful to the Lord’s call as Joseph did?” Or will we turn aside, become indifferent, and miss the blessing?