Focal Passage: Genesis 41:14-20, 33-37
As a widower, one of the things that I find joy in, is the occasional conversation with someone that remembers my wife and something that she did or one of her characteristics. We usually laugh about some wonderful memory. I enjoy remembering. I enjoy someone saying her name one more time. And I really enjoy that she is not forgotten.
Being forgotten is a fear that many may have. Being forgotten is like an old song — “just blowin’ in the wind.” We often feel irrelevant and not important. Throughout Joseph’s life — the caravan trip, his first time in prison, his early days in Potiphar’s house and his second trip in prison — Joseph seems to have been forgotten. His brothers forgot. The caravan leaders forgot. Potiphar forgot. Even the cupbearer and baker — his prison buddies — forgot! All forgot, except two. First, the Lord.
The undercurrent of all of Joseph’s life was that even in trauma, the Lord was present and Joseph was not forgotten. Second, the cupbearer, used by the Lord, remembered Joseph from prison at the very moment that Joseph needed to be remembered. What were Joseph’s emotions being led out of prison for a second time? Could this be a moment of change? Would this be his opportunity? Or would this be another moment of freedom only to be shot back down like Mrs. Potiphar? Joseph is about to have a life altering moment. Could he rise to the occasion?
Lloyd
Dreams interpretation was part of the story of Joseph. His declaration from his dreams to his brothers that they would bow down to him and then years later in prison, telling the cupbearer and the baker of their fate following their dreams was part of his life.
Now Pharoah had a dream. No one — not even all the wise of the land — could interpret. No one! But now, the work of the Lord is now revealed.
How Joseph’s arrogance led to his brothers’ anger which led to Joseph being found in a pit and certain death only to be rescued by both Reuben and Judah which led to a caravan trip which led to an Egyptian prison which led to Potiphar’s house which led back to prison which led to interpreting dreams for the cupbearer which led to remembering Joseph in the middle of a national crisis. Yes, the Lord was with Joseph. For this moment. With Pharoah. To solve a coming unimageable crisis.
The Lord had always been with Joseph. This meeting with Pharoah was that “aha” moment. Yes, it was about the persistence of Joseph. But the story of Joseph was always about God working His purpose and plan through Joseph throughout his life.
For us, living in the day-to-day world, we want the Lord’s instant gratification. We want it now. Joseph reminds us that God is using us for His glory and at that moment that He is preparing us for, His plan will be revealed to us. The Lord prepared Joseph for “the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20). All his experiences prepared him for that moment. The promise that we have is, like Joseph, “the Lord’s presence” as we prepare for that moment or moments that God can use for His great glory! B&R
