We
ended this past Thursday’s declaration hanging on pins and needles. Before we jump in let’s do a recap. Joseph was summoned from the prison dungeon (jail)
by Pharaoh because the cupbearer told Pharaoh that Joseph interpreted a dream
for him and it came true. Joseph asked the cupbearer to hook him up once
he got out but the cupbearer forgot about him until now, two years later when
Pharaoh is on a rampage because none of his magicians could interpret his
dream. When he learns of Joseph’s
abilities he quickly demands that he be brought to him at once. I believe Joseph was snatched from his cell
with no idea what was going on, where he’s going and who wants him. He doesn’t know if he will be executed,
though the likelihood is illogical based upon how God has favored, preserved
and protected him all these years, but still not knowing is completely
unsettling. He arrives at an area of the
palace where he is ordered to bathe, get a haircut and change clothes. I can just hear Joseph in his mind: “For
real, you’re ordering me to do what I have longed to do for years? Watch how fast I move.” After he completed the process:
· the pit
experience for humility;
· the servant
experience for leadership;
· the beginnings
and intermediate experience management for commercialized managerial experience;
· the solitude of
being alone to fine tune his ear to God’s voice;
· becoming all
types of people (favored son, responsible, brother, envied, jealous, hated,
confused, hurt, foreigner, slave, bi-lingual, entrapped, accused, prisoner,
lonely, abandoned, faithful, true worshipper, etc.) to identify with all types
of people
Joseph
is now ready to be presented by the King of Kings to Pharaoh
Joseph
hears the sound of the trumpets blasting, a very familiar sound which he heard
often depending on what part of the dungeon he was in but now he understood it
was to announce the entrance of those about to be presented to Pharaoh. He was unexplainably calm as the huge double
doors engraved with images from his dreams as a child opened slowly to reveal
the largest most exquisitely decorated room (if you want to call it that) he
had ever seen in his life.
Most
people in Joseph's position would have been terrified to go before Pharaoh, but
the peace that oozed from Joseph's pores was unexplainable. He could feel the stares and questions of “who
does this Hebrew think he is?” as he passed some of the cabinet members and
other attendees but Joseph didn’t care, he shot back that answer: “you gone’
learn tah’day” without ever opening his mouth.
He held his head a little higher as he made his way to the throne. He felt invincible as he took each step
towards Pharaoh, not because he was cocky, but because he was CONFIDENT. The emotion of the past decade tried to well
up when he got a glimpse of Potiphar and his wife through his peripheral vision,
but he quickly put it in check, crushing the thoughts with each step he took. He thought to himself: “they gone learn tah’day too.” There was no time to focus on the past, this
was a new day and he was fully prepared. He had no idea what was about to happen but he
was certain this was his dreams come alive.
As he got closer to the throne he recognized the cupbearer!! Joseph thought to himself: "I guess he
did come through for me after all."
Joseph remembered the eunuch’s instruction about protocol and just as he
was about to open his mouth to acknowledge Pharaoh and his close advisors
Pharaoh rose from his throne approaching Joseph with such aggression that it
threw everyone off. His royal military
aids (secret service) were at his side with their swords drawn faster than
Joseph could blink but they did no harm to him because Pharaoh raised his hand
to signal that all is well. It wasn't
Pharaoh's intention to startle anyone, he was just so relieved to see
Joseph. The synergy was instantaneous,
as if they were old friends reconnecting after many years. Pharaoh couldn't tell if it was because of
the peace that exuded Joseph or the confidence. Joseph attempted to begin the
formal greetings but Pharaoh waved his hand as if to say: "Man, forget all
that we need to chop it up about this dream." and then he said:
“I dreamed a
dream and nobody can interpret it. But I’ve heard that
just by hearing a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph answered, “Not I, but
God. God will set Pharaoh’s mind at ease.”
(Genesis 41:15-16 MSG)
Joseph
testified about how awesome God is to Pharaoh.
He isn’t bitter about his life, he is giving God
Seven is
the number of completeness and perfection (both physical and spiritual). It
derives much of its meaning from being tied directly to God’s creation of all
things.
The
Plan: Genesis 41:33-36 (NLT): “So, Pharaoh needs to look for a wise and
experienced man and put him in charge of the country. Then Pharaoh needs to
appoint managers throughout the country of Egypt to organize it during the
years of plenty. Their job will be to collect all the food produced in the good
years ahead and stockpile the grain under Pharaoh’s authority, storing it in
the towns for food. This grain will be held back to be used later during the
seven years of famine that are coming on Egypt. This way the country won’t be
devastated by the famine.” Game recognizes game. Pharaoh recognized Joseph’s good character,
strength and leadership because he had those same traits, but he wasn’t
intimidated by it like so many leaders can be, even today. Pharaoh was a wise man, this was no
time to play testosterone games. But
remember, God’s favor enveloped Joseph and Pharaoh was powerless to God.
The
Suddenly: “Isn’t this the man we need?
Are we going to find anyone else who has God’s spirit in him like this?”
Genesis 41:38 (The Message). Joseph
went from the pit to the palace in one day and in that one day God’s favor
caused Pharaoh to appoint Joseph as second in command of Egypt with the sole
responsibility of carrying out the plan he had just articulated. God created a
position for him. Joseph went from being
second in command at Potiphar’s house to second in command in the Prison to
second in command of the Palace – the entire Country of Egypt – in one day!! That’s
what you call a “suddenly moment”.
Joseph was 30 years old when he went before Pharaoh. Thirteen years had passed from the time that
he was ripped from his father’s watchful eye.
He did thirteen hard years, of which the last few were the most difficult
but we can also view it as thirteen years of training. Did you know it take about the same amount of
time to become a medical doctor? Joseph
was in training at the University of Egypt.
However you look at it he never ever gave up hope.
But
that’s not all dear heart, Joseph showed himself so faithful to God during his
thirteen year run, that God lavished him with things he would have never
received on his own: He
became second in command of an entire COUNTRY (equal to Vice President of the
United States) – no campaign, election, etc.; Pharaoh placed his signet ring on
Joseph’s finger (to validate his orders, documents, etc.); He gave Joseph a new
name Zaphenath-Paneah (God Speaks
and He Lives); Pharaoh acknowledged God based upon Joseph’s reverence of
God; Pharaoh gave him an Egyptian
wife, one of royalty; God blessed Joseph’s marriage and he had two sons: the first born, Manasseh ( which means forget),
saying, “God made me forget all my hardships and my parental home.” He named
his second son Ephraim (Double Prosperity), saying, “God has prospered me in
the land of my sorrow. Genesis 41:50-52
Tania Not Tanya
Nugget: A pharaoh was the most powerful person in his
country who ruled upper and lower Egypt (equivalent to the President of the
US). Some of you may be familiar with
the pharaoh that hated and enslaved the Jews whom Moses later delivered. This is the beginning of that story but it
takes place several hundred years later.
To
be continued ….
In
His Excellent Service
Tania
Not Tanya
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