Monday, January 15, 2018

Joseph Was Faithful

“Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years. Have them gather all the food produced in the good years that are just ahead and bring it to Pharaoh’s storehouses. Store it away, and guard it so there will be food in the cities. That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.” [Genesis 41.33-36]

Was Joseph thinking of himself when he told Pharaoh his suggestions? I couldn't say for sure, but I am betting he at least felt like he was up for the challenge!

The thing I see here is that Joseph couldn't help himself. He was a manager. In whatever situation he found himself, Joseph was going to give his thoughts for how to improve or fix it. Joseph saw meaning. In other words, he looked at every situation and evaluated how it got that way and how it could be manipulated for good going forward. No doubt, Joseph had a gift.

Joseph's managerial gift no less revealed itself when he interpreted Pharaoh's dream (another gift, by the way). Joseph was not necessarily asked by Pharaoh what to do relevant to the interpretation of his dream. But Joseph, again, not being able to contain his managerial gift, began to tell Pharaoh what to do.

One must realize that Joseph's telling Pharaoh what to do could have backfired enormously (as it did when he told his dream to his brothers and father). However, by this time in Joseph's life, he had learned a thing or two and, I am sure, chose his words shrewdly. Whatever he said, and how he said it, evidently worked and Joseph was promoted to the #2 position in all of Egypt!

I cannot help but wonder how this made Potipher feel (if he was still around and who imprisoned Joseph)? If Potipher was still around, I wonder also how Joseph's promotion made Potipher's wife feel? I wish we knew more about this story!

The moral of the story is that Joseph faithfully acted upon the gifting God had given him. He didn't give up because of adversity. He didn't lose hope in the cistern (at his brothers' hands) or in the prison (at Potipher's hand) but instead, stayed true to his God-given management abilities. Even with what would appear to be setbacks, Joseph rose to the top. He was faithful.

Yes, Joseph was faithful with the gift he was given.

Father, help me to pay attention to what You have given me and be found faithful in it.

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