Genesis 41-42

January 14

Genesis 41-42

Joseph went from prisoner to second in command in all of Egypt because he walked in obedience to God. Joseph went through a lot of hard times, but God was faithful to protect him and lifted him up out of the pit literally and placed him in a place of authority. He gave God the credit for his gifts. “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:16, NIV)  His life reflected God to those around him; "So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”" (Genesis 41:38, NIV) Because of God’s grace, Joseph became a man with authority. His dream was fulfilled after he listened to God and interpreted Pharaoh’s dream.

Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him. Joseph did not reveal himself to his brothers immediately. He examined their character. He let them wonder what God was doing to them. He let them think God was paying them for selling him into slavery.

Sometimes God allows us to suffer the consequences for our decisions. Sometimes He allows us to examine our lives and to come to the realization that we have sinned and need a Savior. But God has a plan for us. If we will turn to Him, He will forgive us our sins and purify us of all unrighteousness. He had a plan for Jacob and his family. God brought them to Egypt to form them as a nation instead of just a family.

God wants to work in our lives to form us into the people of God. Sometimes he has to take us from a pit to slavery to a prison to authority like He did with Joseph. Sometimes he forces us into a situation where we can look back and realize that there are consequences for our sin and we need to be re-formed as he did with Joseph’s brothers. But we can know that God is constantly shaping us into the image of His Son. Are you pliable?