This Can Be Your Story - Part 13

Joseph’s story starts at the age of 17. He was the eleventh son of 12 brothers and since he was different from them, they treated him very badly. Family is the first university of every child. 

Joseph was different in spirit and character, just like Caleb and Joshua, as the scripture describes. Even if you seem different in the eyes of the world, if you follow the commandments of the Lord and are righteous in front of him, then God will keep showing up for you at all times. 

When you don’t see any progress in your life, yet when you decide to go out of your way to help others and serve others, you are a true minister of God. This was one of Joseph's qualities, and several people were saved because of his ministry. We can also assume that he would have shared the good news to several other prisoners who showed kindness to many, which is why even his jailer thought of Joseph in high esteem and reached the highest levels. 

While Joseph was in prison, he had interpreted the dreams of 2 of his fellow prisoners who were the cupbearer and baker of Pharaoh. 

In Genesis 41:17-21, Pharaoh describes a dream
 “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows came up--scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before”

The Pharaoh then sees a second dream. 

Genesis 41:22-24,  
"In my dreams I also saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads sprouted--withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads.”

Pharaoh worried about his dreams and called all the magicians of the land to interpret them, but no one could explain them.

One thing to be noted here is that - everyone is curious about their future rather than waiting for things to unfold on their own, to know about their future, even through supernatural ways. Studying chemistry or biology is not going to help anyone interpret such things. So, when your curiosity gets the better of you, then people often seek supernatural ways to interpret them through astrologists, witchcraft, mediums, and such where spirits are involved. 

Similarly, Pharaoh called on all the magicians of the land to interpret his dreams, but they were not able to do so. That’s when the cupbearer says that he remembers his shortcomings and recollected Joseph interpreting his dreams when in prison. Immediately, Pharaoh called on his men to call Joseph. That’s when Joseph’s new leg of the journey and promotion begins. 

We can only assume that Joseph must have influenced several people he’s come across in his life. Speak a good word when someone is down or counsel them when needed. When Joseph was working with Potiphar we can imagine the peace and comfort that he brought to his life. He managed everything in Potiphar’s household, end-to-end.

When Joseph was brought to Pharaoh, he says in Genesis 41:15-16, “ Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."

Joseph is giving all the credit to God, by saying this. He’s humbling himself before God when he proclaims to Pharaoh that if he can interpret dreams, it’s not because of any particular skill he possesses; instead, God will reveal the answer. Even in our personal lives, always remember that the skills that you have are given to you by God and not because of your merits. 

Genesis 41:25 says, ‘ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.’

Verse 25, indicates that the two dreams the Pharaoh saw are one and the same and it is a confirmation of what God was about to do. 

Genesis 41:29-36 says, ‘Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. "And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."’

Only a man filled with the Holy Spirit can interpret such a dream and not by any human skill. In the next few episodes we’ll dive deep into the practicality of this portion, so stay tuned. One thing that must be noted here is that, before this incident took place, Joseph went through years of hardship and pain. God was preparing Joseph to give him a future that was sweeter than all his sorrows. 

Jeremiah 29:11 says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’

God has decided to give you a hopeful and blessed future.

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