Genesis 41-42

Genesis 41-42

Fearing God is what I am learning through today's lesson. "Fear of the Lord is the beginning of true knowledge. (Prov 1:7)" Not only is fearing Him deep reverence, it is also obedience to the Lord. We should be seeking to be obey Him in everything! Our lives should resemble more like Joseph's than that of his brothers or Pharaoh's unbelief or unwilling to act in a way pleasing to God.

Joseph remained obedient. He stayed faithful to God through his trials (and when everything was good). It was not instant forgiveness, but the Lord enabled him to "forget" what happened with his brothers and used him greatly. Two years after he interpreted the prisoners' dreams, things were beginning to change. He would soon interpret dreams for the Pharaoh. None could understand the meaning of the dreams, but God knew! God used Joseph to interpret. The Pharaoh first turned to magicians, then to the "wise" men of Egypt. Finally, then, Joseph was called. He was brought out of prison and made presentable to the Pharaoh: shaved and clothes changed~ the beginning of from rags to riches.

  

Joseph was honest when he openly declared it was not him who interpreted, but God. God used Joseph to interpret the dreams. God was revealing to Pharaoh what he was about to do in the land of Egypt. There would be a 7 year famine! Joseph would be put in charge of taking care of Egypt during the famine! God is working greatly, as Joseph will encounter his brothers during this time also. The famine hit hard, and many from all over the world would come to buy grain, including Joseph's family~ his brothers.

Much of the time, the godly are forgotten or stashed away until they are needed. God often isn't sought after by society unless something goes wrong, then many say: "Where is God?" God should be our first priority! Choosing to rely on Him daily, and choose to seek Him. Letting our lives declare the One who we gladly serve! The Pharaoh showed he did not know God. Godly advice was his last choice, not his first! Who did he turn to first after the dream? The magicians. The "wise" men of Egypt. Only then when none knew the meaning of the dreams did he call for Joseph, the one who chose to follow God and honor him in his life. Only then is Joseph taken out of the prison. to interpret the Pharaoh's dreams. Pharaoh asked those with him if they could find a man with the spirit of God that could be the overseer in caring for the land during the famine, but there was only Joseph! Joseph becomes Governor!

Joseph saw his brothers, but treated them like strangers and was harsh to them. It was the way he would see his brother, Benjamin. He would show kindness to them, giving them the grain for free. One brother (Simeon) remained in custody while the others took food back to their families and to get Benjamin.. While in Egypt, the brothers continue with their life long lie that Joseph, their other brother, had died. With the way that Joseph spoke to the brothers, they greatly feared Joseph for they did not know it was Joseph~ all they saw was the governor of the land who would decide if they were allowed to trade and purchase food for their starving households. What if the brothers feared God as much as they did the governor of Egypt? They would not of done wrong to Joseph. They would of dealt kindly with him. Maybe even, seek out the meaning of his dreams God gave him when he was 17.