Genesis 41:46 – 52 “Now Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout the land of Egypt. During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. During those seven years, Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities. In every city he laid up the food from the fields around it. So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance, like the sand of the sea, that he stopped keeping track of it; for it was beyond measure.
Before the years of famine arrived, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, (“Making to forget”) saying, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s household.” And the second son he named Ephraim, (“Making fruitful,” or “Twice fruitful”) saying, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
From seventeen year old slave to thirty year old Chief Administrator, Joseph’s life has taken a remarkable turn. But none of this would have been possible had Joseph not humbled himself and also forgiven all those who had hurt him. And none of these good things would have happened to Joseph had he remained whiny and full of self – pity.
v. 53 – 57 “When the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt. When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. And every nation came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.”
God is fulfilling Pharaoh’s prophetic dream, just as Joseph interpreted it. Many times when disaster strikes, we blame God, not realizing that He can use everything to work out His purposes. At this point, Joseph has become the most important man in Egypt, actually more important than Pharaoh. Joseph controls the food supplies and Joseph is the one who must keep a close watch on things, knowing that there will be seven years of famine before the situation improves.
APPLICATION: While this appears to be a lull in the story, it really is not. Forgiveness sets us free for the good things God wants to do in our lives. As long as we fail to forgive, we cannot move forward. Does this mean that if you forgive those who have hurt you, you will wind up in a position of high authority as Joseph did? Not necessarily. But forgiveness frees your mind and heart to see new possibilities. When you forgive, God can bless you! (And do you REALLY want the administrative headaches that Joseph took on???)
The verse from James 4:10 says “Humble yourself before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Psalm 75:6 – 7 says, “For exaltation (promotion) comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge. He puts down one and exalts another.” As long as we refuse to forgive someone else, we are putting ourselves above them and setting ourselves up to judge them. But God is the ultimate Judge and He is the only one who truly knows the human heart. Forgiveness is an act of humility, and God rewards the humble. Proverbs 3:7-8 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.”
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for loving us so much that you refuse to allow us to wallow in unforgiveness! Help us to freely and completely forgive all who have hurt us so that we will be open to the bright future you have for us. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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