“And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.” Genesis 41:37
Praise God! Joseph is finally out of prison! You remember Joseph, don’t you? Favored son of Israel…coat of many colors…that Joseph. Joseph was so easily promoted after being almost dead it made us wonder if anything could ever hold him down, but false accusation landed him in prison. Joseph’s gift of visions and the interpretation of them seem to have gotten him into trouble with his brothers, but the same gift that got him into trouble gets him out. I love God. He saves us to the uttermost. We don’t have to change that we are to receive redemption.
“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath showed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.” Genesis 41:38-40
Pharaoh’s reaction to Joseph’s help is positive and rewarding. He immediately begins to make plans to promote Joseph and place him where he belongs. Pharaoh has forgotten totally that Joseph was in prison. No probation, no checking with the parole board. Total exoneration! What a blessing. God does this for us. When we are forgiven, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Pharaoh encourages Joseph by letting him know how much he has helped the whole nation, and that he is valuable to him as the ruler over all of Egypt. He confirms this by making him second in command. Only Pharaoh, himself is higher.
“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:41-44
Joseph’s promotion is immediate and dramatic. Pharaoh gives him the tokens of his office, gives the appropriate clothing for the job, and presents him to the people. In one day Joseph’s life is totally changed. We can say that about our conversion. The day we received Christ we were totally changed. God provided us with the evidence (token) of our new life. We received His peace…not our peace, but His peace. We received a lasting part of Him. We knew we were changed, because we had evidence of God’s abiding love and life on the inside of us.
“And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.” Genesis 41:48-49
God begins to confirm Joseph’s words with signs following. Everything Joseph says happens. We’ve all had that “honeymoon” experience with God. It seems that for a season we can do no wrong. This is the way it was with Joseph. God will exalt us and let people know who we are. We never have to “prove” ourselves to anyone. God makes room for our gift the way He wishes. Many of us despise the day of small things. We all begin as seeds. How would you like to be the “prison prophet?” Not the best start, but it is a start. God will elevate us as we are faithful.
“And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.” Genesis 41:45-47, 50-51
Pharaoh changes Joseph’s name. In so doing, he gives Joseph a new identity, which fits his new image. From now on, if anybody who knew him when he was Potiphar’s servant or in jail will have a difficult time recalling his past. This is the most wonderful part of the new birth experience. God takes a big eraser to our lives and blots out all past sins. He even changes our desires. The things that drive us drive us no more. He causes us to forget how messed up we were. He causes us to forget our transgressions and ill-will and lack of forgiveness toward others. How complete is this forgetting? It allows us to live a totally new life through forgiving others. Joseph’s forgetting was tested when his brothers came looking for food. God has caused to him to forget even the sins of others toward him. Has He made you forget something that you used to remember? What a blessing!
A teaching by Rev. Barbara Williams, president of the Ministry of the Watchman International
HE MAKES ME TO FORGET (5 CD Set)
In this series by Rev. Barbara Williams, we will follow the life of Joseph and discover God’s restoration process as He helped Joseph to forgive his brothers and others who had mistreated him, and finally established him to fulfill his calling, bringing help and deliverance to multitudes.