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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Genesis 45:7
“But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”
What a man Joseph was.
In prison (Chapter 40/41), he interpreted dreams for the benefit of the baker and cupbearer, but the cupbearer forgot him for another two years until Pharaoh had two dreams himself, which no one else could interpret.
I love Joseph’s response to Pharaoh. “[No], I cannot do it” (interpret dreams - either) “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires” (41:16). That was neither a ‘cop out’ in case he got it wrong, or false modesty. This man has integrity – and he’s only thirty years old.
Even in advising the King what to do regarding the dream and forthcoming famine, he didn’t say, “what I would do would be…” but he left the appointment to God, via Pharaoh. He then proved himself to be a very capable leader and a man of economic prudence, wisdom and administration.
What a challenge to us all. I wonder what Potiphar and his wife thought when they heard that Joseph was made second to Pharaoh.
I also wonder how much of a surprise it was for Joseph to receive a visit from his brothers? I’m sure he was expecting it at some time but it would still have been a surprise when it actually took place.
What an opportunity for revenge. Had he been the type to brood on his past, dwell on the injustices done to him, Joseph had in prison what could be a tremendously fertile seedbed. But no, he had been in touch with God. He was able to say with Paul, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
The circumstances did not appear to be ‘right’ or even encouraging but God was turning Joseph into a great leader; one of the most outstanding of all time. Not many ‘foreigners’ become Prime Minister of their adopted country, especially not when they came as slaves.
So it is hardly surprising that when the brothers arrived, although Joseph recognised them straight away, they didn’t recognise him.
He had a lot of advantages. He was expecting them; he was relaxed in his new environment and he didn’t bear grudges or carry guilt. His brothers, on the other hand, were hungry, travel-weary and in a foreign land.
But that wasn’t the real problem. The problem for them was fear, plus 13 years of compounded deception, grief and lies, feeding a rampant guilty conscience.
I am quite sure that Jacob went on and on and on about Joseph after they had ‘got rid of’ him and every time another thorn of guilt pierced them. Did that cause them to tell the truth?
Oh no. We can’t go back on our lies, own up and tell the truth. We must continue the deception forever, no matter how painful to Jacob and us.
That is why Jesus says, “the thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Lies rarely happen in isolation. We compound the problem, not realising each step makes healing and restoration more complicated, difficult and unlikely.
If you are there today – confess it to God, do all you can to put it right and then live in the freedom Christ’s death has won for you.
If others have wronged you – no matter how badly – it will probably be no worse than what Joseph experienced – and certainly not worse than what Jesus experienced for you. Give the wrong or wrongs to Jesus – let them go and see through all the circumstances of life God’s divine plan for you.
He has one just for you, but you need to be free to enjoy it and then the skeletons of the past will have no hold over you.
Try and understand that God has a ‘big’ plan for your life. Learn that you can trust Him and then all the setbacks and irritations you face will become just stepping stones to your final destiny.
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