Trusted Empowered Gifted

Trusted Empowered Gifted

Genesis 41: ⁴² Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. ⁴³ And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. ⁴⁴ Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” ⁴⁵ And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

 

============

 

Immediately, Pharaoh trusted Joseph because of the interpretation of the dream. Pharaoh had a formal way to create rules which required documentation with his signet ring stamp. He gave control to Joseph by giving him the signet ring. He paraded Joseph around Egypt so people would know who he was and he gave Joseph a wife.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh trusted Joseph implicitly because Joseph did not try to get anything from Pharaoh.
• Pharaoh worshipped the sun god Ra, so he thought he was doing Joseph a favor by giving him the daughter of the priest of On.
• Pharaoh welcomed Joseph into the Egyptian culture and tried to rename him Zaphnath-Paaneah, which could mean GOD speaks and HE lives.

 

Joseph was trusted by Pharaoh, empowered by him and given gifts by him. He could do as he please without consulting Pharaoh. But Joseph did not turn his heart away from GOD. He accepted the gifts, wore the clothes and did what he was supposed to do with the power he was entrusted.

 

But Joseph also knew that Pharoah was not worshipping the one and true GOD. Pharaoh believed in many gods and classified GOD as one of them. Pharaoh gave Joseph a wife of the smartest, wisest person he knew. Even Poti-Pherah could not interpret Pharaoh’s dream. So Joseph was allowed to go out all over Egypt without being watched over. Joseph’s integrity was in GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about what Pharaoh gave to Joseph?
• What is your perspective about receiving something that looks worldly, but is a gift?
• Can you accept the world’s things without having them change your relationship with the LORD?

Trusted Blessings

Trusted Blessings

Genesis 39: Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. ² The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. ³ And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. ⁴ So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. ⁵ So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. ⁶ Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate.

 

============

 

Joseph was given a dream by GOD that his father and brothers would one day bow to him. Some of his brothers wanted to kill him but Reuben and Judah convinced the others to do something less lethal by selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites where he was then sold to the Egyptians. Potiphar bought Joseph as a slave.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph’s story continues from where it left off, after he was sold, but wee don’t know how many years have passed.
• The pre-incarnate LORD visited Joseph daily and helped him be successful.
• Potiphar trusted Joseph because the LORD was with him.

 

Extreme trust was placed on Joseph by Potiphar. He trusted Joseph so much, that he didn’t even count his money anymore. He was only concerned about the next meal he ate. The LORD stayed with Joseph and blessed all he did.

 

Joseph, like many others who had been left alone, probably needed JESUS to walk with him to remain encouraged. He was sold into slavery, never to see his father again, or so he thought. JESUS had to keep him encouraged, so HE stayed with him. Potiphar was only concerned with becoming wealthy. He did not mind JESUS coming around Joseph. He became blessed because of Joseph’s favor.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD emphasize to Moses that “The LORD was with Joseph?”
• Have you ever felt alone and wanted to give up?
• Do you realize that the LORD is with you today and is walking through your troubles with you?