Ancient Example

 

12/5/2020

Genesis 41:40 “Only in the throne will I be greater than thou.”

This verse refers to the power that Pharaoh bestowed upon Joseph, who himself was not an Egyptian, but a Hebrew who was imprisoned. Pharaoh had sent for all of his wise men and magicians to interpret a disturbing dream he had, yet none of them could unlock the meaning of the vision. One of Pharaoh’s servants told the ruler of how he had a dream read by a Hebrew that he had been imprisoned with.  The Sovereign sent for this young prisoner. Joseph told Pharaoh he could not interpret the dream but that God could. God then gave Joseph the vision that there would be seven years of great abundance which would be followed by seven years of severe famine. He advised that food be stored up so that Egypt would survive this time and not perish from the earth. Then he told Pharaoh to appoint a wise man as part of the plan. This wise man would see that a fifth of the harvest was held in reserve for this time of deprivation. Pharaoh selected Joseph and gave him power second only to his own. Joseph never wavered in giving all the glory to God, and was blessed. This man, who had been betrayed by his own brothers, accused of awful things, and imprisoned under false pretenses, was now given power and authority that was unimaginable. Even when his brothers eventually needed help during the seven years of famine, he did not retaliate for their treachery by turning them away. Instead, he helped them.

Joseph’s story is an example of staying faithful to God, no matter the circumstances or what others have done to bring suffering upon you. He never faltered in his devotion to God. This account of Joseph’s life, of course, is in the Old Testament, before the life and sacrifice of Jesus. Joseph had no scripture to read, He believed through the teachings of Jacob that he had a divine purpose. How much more so should I stay faithful, no matter the circumstances, through knowing my Savior and having God’s Holy word? Could I endure all that Joseph did through the strength of my faith? The evidence of my life thus far would make me have to answer I could not. As believers, we all have a divine purpose, but is that truly our reality? Do I wake up every day focused on what God would have me do in every moment of my day and with every interaction? Does my faith stand firm even when others cause me or someone I love injury or harm? Do I trust even these things to God’s power and glory? Difficult questions for certain, and if I am honest with myself, I am mortified by my answer.

If I am seeking Jesus in all things, and giving glory to the power of my God in every area of my life, I would NEVER be shaken. Chambers writes, “The grace of God is absolute, the salvation of Jesus is perfect, it is done forever. I am not being saved, I am saved; salvation is as eternal as God’s throne, the thing for me to do is to work out what God works in.” This is what Joseph did. He walked with God, trusted Him, gave God the glory and honor, and worked out what he was given by God. Such a powerful reminder of how to live my life from one who lived thousands of years ago. The word of God is timeless as always and eternally timely.