A Product of Preparation

"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 shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:" Genesis 41:38‭-‬39. In my last post, I used a picture which said, "Joseph's greatest challenge in life was to keep his dreams alive."- Lee Stoneking. The truth is, the only way Joseph's original dream of leadership over his brethren would be fulfilled is in humbling himself and interpreting the dreams of others. Joseph learned that we cannot rule in pride and our own power, but with a humble trust in God's power. Every dream he interpreted for others led him closer to his dreams. In life, we need to give and take, and desire to see the dreams of others fulfilled just as much as our own.

So, Joseph was a product of preparation. He had a strong relationship with God developed over time, and so no situation caused him to panic. As we discussed last post, Joseph had integrity. Therefore, he was granted interpretation and understanding of dreams. Our opening Scripture describes the success and favor Joseph had in interpreting Pharaoh's dream, but it all started back in prison with the butler & baker:

"And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you."
Genesis 40:8.

Right away in Genesis 40, Joseph gives credit to God. Interpretations and fulfillment of dreams belong to God alone! In proclaiming this, Joseph was prepared by God to interpret these dreams. It turns out, the butler was removed from prison and restored to his position, but the baker was removed from prison and killed, both of them after 3 days. Joseph asked the butler kindly to remember him when he was free: "But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon. Genesis 40:14‭-‬15. Unfortunately, the butler did not put in a good word to the Pharaoh for Joseph-until the Pharaoh himself had a dream:

"And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Genesis 41:15‭-‬16.

Once again, Joseph attributed all power to God. When we realize in our own lives that only God has the power to help us understand how to handle life's challenges and difficulties, then it doesn't matter how hard the challenge may be, even if that means 7 years of famine is going to enter the land...and that's exactly what Pharaoh dreamed about!

First, Pharaoh dreamed that 7 large cows were eaten by 7 skinny cows. Then, he dreamed that 7 fruitful and plentiful wars of corn were destroyed by 7 thin ears of corn (Genesis 41:17-24). What could this all mean? With God on his side, Joseph knew:

"Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;" Genesis 41:29‭-‬30. And not only did Joseph have the interpretation, God also gave him the solution:

"And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine." Genesis 41:35‭-‬36.

Joseph had to store up food in the good years to help Egypt and the surrounding lands prepare for the bad years. In reading this, I realized Joseph always had this solution. Joseph always practiced this solution, in all other problems of his life! Again, he was a product of preparation. He always trusted in God! For years, Joseph stored up, built & prepared a loving and trusting connection with God, which prepared him for any troubling experiences he would face! In return, God blessed him!

"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 41:40.

God raised Joseph up. No one had to panic in the famine because Joseph was prepared. Eventually, Pharaoh gave Joseph his daughter to be his wife, and he had two sons: Manasseh, which meant "God made me to forget my toil and my father's house" & Ephraim, which meant "God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." (Genesis 41:51-52). God certainly allowed Joseph to forget his personal famine of being starved of his brothers and family because he was fruitful in the land of his affliction.

But God did not forget Joseph's original dream! Remember? The brothers bowed to him? And that's exactly what had to happen. The famine reached into the land of Canaan, and Israel and his family were desperate. The brothers went to Egypt & had to answer to Joseph to ask for food, and the brothers did not recognize Joseph. But Joseph recognized them! Joseph knew his brothers were not spies, but he called them spies of the land of Egypt. He pretended to be in disbelief of their true intentions of needing food to bring home to their father and youngest brother, Benjamin. So Joseph said:

"...bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land." Genesis 42:34. They had to leave Simeon behind as hostage and go to retrieve Benjamin.

Will the brothers be TRUE men? Will they pass the test of integrity as Joseph has had to do all his life? Our next chapters will tell us! So stay tuned!

Are you prepared for the famines of your life? When all material things are stripped away, remember, God is enough. Store up some time with God to prepare for the tough, "famine-like" times in life. Be a product of preparation!