The Joseph Series: A Glimmer of Hope!
Last week, we left off with Joseph thrown in prison after being falsely accused of rape. But, we saw a ray of hope! God caused everything Joseph did, even in prison, to succeed. As a result, the warden placed Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners.
One day, Pharaoh’s chief cup bearer and chief baker find themselves in prison after making him angry. One particular night, they both have distinct dreams, which are very disturbing. No one can interpret the dreams, except Joseph. Actually, it’s God who interprets the dreams using Joseph as His spokesperson. Sure enough, within three days, the dreams come to pass exactly as Joseph told them. The chief baker gets released from prison, only to be executed on Pharaoh’s orders. The chief cup bearer gets released from prison, promising Joseph that he will ask Pharaoh to release him from prison, too. However, as the chief cup bearer is restored to his original position in Pharaoh’s court, he forgets all about Joseph!
Two years pass. Then one night, Pharaoh has multiple dreams that greatly upset him. No one in all the land can interpret the dreams. Suddenly, the chief cup bearer remembers his promise to Joseph. He tells Pharaoh how Joseph interpreted his dream correctly. Immediately, Pharaoh summons Joseph and requests him to interpret the dreams. Joseph tells Pharaoh it is not within his power to know what the dreams mean, BUT GOD can interpret the dreams. So, once again, God uses Joseph to correctly interpret the dreams. Additionally, because of Joseph’s leadership training in prison (yes, you read that correctly), he gives Pharaoh some incredibly wise advice about how to govern Egypt during the next seven years. Then, Pharaoh recognizes Joseph’s leadership acumen and places him in charge of the entire country! No one, except Pharaoh, has the authority and position that Joseph now enjoys!
Thirteen years have passed since Joseph was sold into captivity by his brothers; thirteen years until he is placed into authority in Egypt! And it is in those 13 years that God has taught Joseph a lot.
Remember this from last week: “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did…” We see this unfolding right before our eyes! The dreams that Joseph interpreted for Pharaoh play out exactly as Joseph said they would.
What about you? Has God placed you in a position of influence? If you are alive and breathing? The answer is “Yes!” The question is: Are you stewarding that influence for God’s purposes?
Begin today. Someone is waiting on you!
