Proof of Relationship

And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.” [Genesis 40.8]

I love what this verse implies.

First, Joseph acknowledged that God alone is the interpreter of dreams. That was a noble enough gesture. We all could learn from this instance of giving God all the credit.

Then, without hesitating, it seems Joseph took the responsibility upon himself to tell the meaning of the dreams of the cup bearer and baker. Is that a problem? I don't think so.

Hesitation is one of my own greatest weaknesses. I am perhaps the worst second-guesser of self in the world. But the lesson from Joseph should convince me to be otherwise.

Here is what I take away from this story. Joseph knew God. Joseph knew, among all else that he knew about God, that God is THE interpreter of dreams. Joseph was not uncertain in this. This kind of confidence about God can only come through a relationship with God. It can only come from KNOWING God and, knowing Him well. And, there is simply no way to know someone without spending time with them. I believe we can safely conclude that Joseph spent more than just casual moments in fellowship with God.

Then, we see something else very important. Joseph not only knew God, but he knew God well enough to speak for Him.

It is one thing to know someone. But it is an entirely different level of knowing someone to be able to speak for them! That is precisely what Joseph did - he spoke for God.

We see this later in history in the person of Jesus Christ too. He spoke for God. He said that whatever He saw the Father do was what He did.

But wait!

Jesus also said that whatever we see Him do is what we should do! We have four different accounts of Jesus' life (the four Gospels selected to be in the Holy Bible) that all bear witness to this fact: Jesus' followers are to be like Him. They are to look like Him, act like Him, and speak like Him... and they are to do it all on HIS authority.

Saving souls is God's business. It is our business to put hands and feet to it. It is our business to put our mouths and efforts to the work of the Kingdom of God. We are AUTHORIZED!

However, we will be utterly ineffective if we do not know our Leader. How can we speak confidently for someone we only know marginally? We, like Joseph, must be confident of our leader - our God - confident enough to know we can speak for Him, we can heal for Him, we can raise the dead for Him, and that we can feed the multitudes for Him. Any hesitation on our part is indicative of insufficient knowledge of our Lord! We must know Jesus!

The proof will then be in the results. Proof of relationship.

Wow. That hits hard.

Father, I am grateful for the Bible and the amazing stories of faith and confidence in You found therein. I want to know You more - I don't want to bring shame to Your name by doing anything in my own power.