Grandson’s Ryker on the right, Nate in the middle and cousin Mason.

Good Times 

Genesis 41 

Joseph, lesson 15 

This is a long chapter, 57 verses, but a very interesting narrative. It tells a fascinating story but doesn’t provide any color commentary. In sports, a color analyst will give his thoughts on what might be going on in the heads of the players, what the coach is thinking about or speculating what might be driving a particular play or overall strategy. He will also say whether he agrees with the coaches/players decisions or not. We don’t have such commentary in this chapter from the author. He never says something like, “this pleases God’ or “their hearts are far from God,” or something similar. 

Therefore, I have to conclude that the point of this section of scripture is to simply tell the story and not teach a moral lesson on doing the right thing or not doing the wrong thing. God is simply at work orchestrating the amazing events in Joseph’s life in order to accomplish something. 

Joseph interprets Pharoah’s dreams. Joseph says to him,  

Behold, seven years of great abundance are coming in all the land of Egypt; and after them seven years of famine will come, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt and the famine will ravage the land…now let Pharoah look for a man discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharoah take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance. Verse 29-34 

Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh’s authority, and let them guard it…So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has informed you of all this, there in no one so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.’ Pharoah said, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’ verse 35-41 

We often speak about the purposes of going through trials and hardships. The Bible makes it clear that God uses trials to test us, refine us and strengthen us. But what about when God blesses us beyond measure? We tend to just ‘go with it’ and somehow believe that God is blessing us because we deserve it. I’m not sure we go deep into prayer and ask God, ‘why have you blessed me so? What should I now do? How can I be faithful and useful to you in my blessings’?  

Trials push us to our knees with deep anguish and words asking for help, strength and guidance. Blessings tend to push us to say ‘thanks’ and then enjoy. We don’t have a commentary as to what Joseph was thinking during this time but it would natural for him to think, ‘I’ve been suffering as a slave and prisoner in a foreign land for over 10 years now. Finally, God is blessing me. I kind of deserve it after everything I’ve been through.’ 

I must admit, I have had a large measure of success in my professional life as an executive. Some of my blog followers are friends who knew me back in high school, college and in my 20’s. There was no indication whatsoever, from my upbringing, my natural skills, my education, my life as a Youth Minister in my 20’s, etc., to remotely indicate that someday I would be a successful executive. In my case, because I view my professional success as something outside of myself, I have often asked God, ‘why’? Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t always been super spiritual about it. I have really enjoyed the success and a lot of times, I just ‘go with it’ and enjoy it. But it has become clearer to me recently and now, my main prayer of reflection is “Am I being faithful with the resources and position You have given me’? 

Regardless of your level of earthly success, I’m asking you today to consider the blessings you have. Count them all and then ask the same questions; Am I being faithful with the resources and position (whatever it is) You have given me? 

Father, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there in variation or shifting shadow, (James 1:17). Whether we have abundance or whether we suffer in need, may we be faithful and fruitful in our hearts to serve You and do what is right. Only in Christ, do we have the capacity to serve You God, with sincerity and faithfulness. May we cling to Christ above all else! Amen!