October 14, 2018 | Dr. Mike Edens
Passage: Genesis 41:14-35
Joseph was ready to respond when called:
"Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh." — Genesis 41:14
Who was Joseph and how did God get him ready to respond to Pharaoh?
- The first born of Jacob’s true love, Rachel.
- A dreamer who told his older brothers (from Jacob’s other spouses) how his dreams identified him as family leader.
- A slave sold by his brothers to get rid of him.
- A great and trusted manager under his two Egyptian masters
- A man marked by integrity and moral purity who cared for people
- A helper forgotten by those he helped
- A lone pilgrim in a distant land trusting in God
Joseph was prepared by God to be used:
"Now Joseph said to Pharaoh, 'Pharaoh’s dreams are one and the same; God has told to Pharaoh what He is about to do.'" — Genesis 41:25
Joseph’s relationship with God is not highlighted in the text but we have clues.
In Genesis 37, we note the contrast between the attitude of Joseph’s brothers towards him and Joseph to them. Then when his father asked him to go and serve them in the fields and he said, “I will go.” (37:13)
In Genesis 39, his integrity within his relationship to Potiphar and his wife results in prison where the text observes, “but the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.” (Genesis 39:21)
In Genesis 40, Joseph responds to a request for interpretation of dreams saying, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell it to me, please.” (Genesis 40:8)
Where did he get his spirit of service, simplicity and transparency if not from exemplifying Micah’s admonition “walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)?
Joseph blessed Pharaoh and all the people of the region by using all God’s gifting:
"Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea, until he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure." — Genesis 41:49
So, how does this holy story apply to us here in NOLA?
God is not limited by time, geography, or social, cultural ethnicity. He seeks those who are open to be used.
God is not just working where and how he has worked. He wants to work within all of the human family and use all of His recreated family to love and work with them.
God’s service in the city is a matter of steps.
- Be in relationship with the God of all creation through Jesus Christ the savior and Lord of all.
- Be in relationship with the people around us
- Be open to be used along with all you are and have for God to impact your present and create the future.
As a brother, I ask you to take the next step now!