Year 1, Week 7, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 7, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Genesis 41.

Today’s reading opens with Joseph still in prison, but not for long. The occasion of Joseph’s release from prison surrounds a dream that Pharaoh had, which none of Pharaoh’s counselors can explain. The cupbearer, whom Joseph had helped, while in prison, but who forgot his promise to help Joseph in return, has a moment of clarity. Joseph is summoned to Pharaoh, interprets his dream, and ends up in charge of feeding the world. Joseph’s descent is over and his ascendancy has begun.

What struck me in today’s reading is what it reveals about the role that God’s wisdom is to play in our lives. Genesis 41 says much about “the wisdom from above” (James 3:17a). The LORD has provided much wisdom to Joseph: "the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7b). This wisdom that Joseph displays, enables him to make sense of his own years of affliction, but it also qualifies him to advise Pharaoh: “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29). The LORD is illustrating the value of wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”  (James 1:5). The deeper or greater takeaway from Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams should not be how we can acquire the gift of dream interpretation; it must be how we can obtain wisdom from God—the wisdom to understand our own afflictions, but also the wisdom to practically advise others.

Pharaoh himself acknowledged that discerning the meaning of his dreams and knowing what to do with that meaning, was a function of wisdom: “And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.” (Genesis 41:38-39). Joseph was also clear that what qualified him to advise Pharaoh was the LORD: “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer…God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do…God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do.” (Genesis 42:16,25,28). The function of wisdom served the LORD’s agenda for what the LORD was doing in Joseph’s life, but also through Joseph’s life. As He had promised, the LORD was illustrating His intention to bless all peoples, for as Joseph begins his work, the blessings are more than can counted: "And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.” (Genesis 41:49). The language used to describe what the LORD was doing through Joseph harkens back to promises from the Abrahamic Covenant: “I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore.” (Genesis 22:17). “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5).

The wisdom that Joseph possessed also enabled him to better understand his own affliction. Joseph has been in a descent of suffering: he was tossed down into a pit; he was taken down into Egypt; and he was cast down into prison. Each stage of Joseph’s descent was ill-deserved. But when given the chance to settle the accounts of wrong-doing against him, the wisdom that Joseph had obtained, gave him the perspective he needed to bless and not curse. From this point on in the account of Joseph’s life, we see his ascendancy. Joseph has risen to power: “Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” (Genesis 44:40-43). With the robe and the ring and the prestige of being bowed to and the authority to decide great matters of national interest, Joseph has ascended. Wisdom redirected his energy.

Joseph’s energies were redirected for good, not vengeful purposes, for wisdom enabled his soul to see the LORD’s hand in his life. The names that Joseph gives to his children serve as profound statements as to the state of Joseph’s heart. It is wisdom from God that enables Joseph to see God’s hand in his life, helping him to make sense of all the injustice he had experienced. His children’s names reflect such a perspective: “Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.” The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:52-53). Joseph recognized the LORD’s goodness in his life. Thus, Joseph will ascend to power, not with bitterness, but with contentedness. 

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe