What a ride our protagonist is on! Reading the highlights chapter after chapter, we may loose the perspective of the years that are passing. Joseph has been in prison for 2 more years since the cupbearer was released back into the service of Pharoah. Then Pharoah dreams ...
We all dream ... most of us just don't remember them. It is a subconscious language. But Pharoah's dreams were so vivid - so real - he not only remembered them but was troubled by them. Coincidence? No - these were no mere 'dreams' - these were messages from God and the avenue God chose to have his servant, Joseph, released from prison. Proverbs 21:1 says:
"The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."
Two things stand out to me as I read this account. First, look back at verses 15 - 16. Joseph is humble before his God. If he had a degree of arrogance or self-importance as a young man, it is all gone. Suffering has way of knocking it out of you! And, if a person is to be used by God, it must be knocked out. Joseph respectfully redirects the focus from himself to his God. You see, ALL glory belongs to the God of heaven. ALL. We read God speaking through His prophet, Isaiah, and saying:
For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another. (Isaiah 48:11)
To give the glory to God does not mean wallowing in false self-deprecation. Joseph knew exactly what he was about to do - through the wisdom and strength of God - and he speaks boldly. He just doesn't take credit for it. Lessons for us to learn ... we are to use our God-given gifts boldly, with respect and grace ... but use them - giving all the glory to the God who gave them in the first place. Thank you Joseph for modeling that for us.
And secondly, look again at verses 37 - 40. The manner in which Joseph handled this encounter allowed a pagan king to recognize the Spirit of God. Pharoah noticed two things about Joseph. He noticed that Joseph was discerning and wise. He saw Joseph's character. That lets me know that Joseph's demeanor before Pharoah was respectful, not cowering or arrogant. Pharoah also recognized the Sprit of God. This is the first time in scripture that we see God's Spirit coming upon a man for service. We read of it happening quite often through the pages of the Old Testament ... all the way through the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 ... but this is the first. After that, fulfilling the promise of Jesus, God's Holy Spirit comes to reside WITHIN the believer. Pharoah recognized that the Spirit in Joseph was different that his own magicians and soothsayers. I want the Spirit of God to be visible in my own life, as well. Don't you? James Boice says,
"I wonder if people see that kind of character in us and if they recognize that it is God who has given it to us. The only way we will ever have that character (and the only way that others will ever see it) is if we have our eyes on God in all things. What happens if we see circumstances apart from God? If circumstances bring adversity, we complain and consider the world and those responsible to be unjust. If circumstances bring prosperity, we boast and think that somehow we are ultimately responsible. The one character is whining and unpleasant. The other is arrogant andintolerable. But if we have our minds on God, we see God in circumstances and trust him. Advsersity strengthens and mellows us. Prosperity humbles us and draws us even closer to the Lord."So ... today ... "Fix your eyes on Jesus ... the author and perfecter of your faith." (Hebrews 12:2)
And may the Spirit of God be seen in us ...
No comments:
Post a Comment