Joseph was now before the presence
of the most powerful man in Egypt, an intimating personality. Any one lacking
self-acceptance would be trembling and devoid of confidence. In such a situation,
most people would say what is politically correct and pander to what Pharaoh
wants to hear. There would be the great temptation to moderate the presentation
to accommodate the king. But we know that this was not true of Joseph.
Notice how Pharaoh prefaced by
saying that “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret
it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a
dream you can interpret it.” Pharaoh was at his wits end. The whole council of wise men and magicians
he ordinarily relied upon to interpret his dreams were all clueless, and he was
at a lost. In a real sense he was desperate and helpless. He had an aura that
something woeful was about to happen but he could not do a thing about it.
In contrast, Joseph was very certain
that he could give Pharaoh the interpretation he needed to hear. He was sure a
solution could be found even if the dreams were fearful ones. Joseph’s
confidence was in God. Honestly he told Pharaoh, “It is not in
me; God will give Pharaoh a favourable answer.” He was quick to redirect Pharaoh to
God. He knew he was just a vessel, an instrument between God and the king. He
was aware that the whole purpose of his presence there was to declare the glory
of Him whom he was serving. Just imagine for a while how difficult it must have
been for Joseph to reveal the truth to Pharaoh. The king of Egypt had long considered
himself to be a god. So how to tell him that the real and true God, Elohim,
would explain his dream to him.
Joseph did not try to water down the
message but told the truth as it was. In a very firm way Joseph made known the superiority
and sovereignty of God. He was asserting that there was no one equal to Him. And
this is so true. There was not one equal to Him then; there is no one equal to
him now, and there will never ever be one in the future. Hence it is a great
privilege for us, that this great God should come and make Himself known to us
in Christ Jesus. And that He should now dwell in our believing hearts. The God we
worship and serve has no one equal in superiority or power. He is the one and
only Sovereign God. Hence, we cannot offer Him anything less than a 100%
commitment. Learn from Joseph. He had not changed a bit. He did not shift his
conviction concerning God with the changing circumstances of his life. In other
words, he was very sound theologically. He reverenced God while he was in the pit
and also in prison. He was not about to shift even though he was before the
monarch in the palace. The thirteen years of hardship and endurance was paying huge
interests. And God was making His presence in Egypt felt through Joseph.
One would have thought that Pharaoh would be offended with what Joseph had said about God. For he was blatantly direct in declaring that the source of his interpretation was God. But Pharaoh narrated his dreams again to Joseph. The subtle message we get is that Pharaoh, though considered a god, was helpless and fearful. Of course he would be, for in reality he was a mere man. The one and only true God is the God who had up to now aligned Himself with Israel, His chosen people. We are dealing with the real sovereign, the one and only true God, who wants to transform the fallen world. He had to begin with a nation and the emergence of Israel was His making and He would be working through them. While He was preparing Joseph to save the people of his time, He was also preparing a people through whom His Son and the world’s Savior would be born. He is not only the architect of the universe but also the architect of our salvation. Joseph’s boldness to declare the truth of the sovereign God he served, leaves us with an example to be bold to make known the sovereign God we worship and serve. To Him belong all glory; to Him belong all praise; to Him belong all majesty now and through endless days! Amen!
One would have thought that Pharaoh would be offended with what Joseph had said about God. For he was blatantly direct in declaring that the source of his interpretation was God. But Pharaoh narrated his dreams again to Joseph. The subtle message we get is that Pharaoh, though considered a god, was helpless and fearful. Of course he would be, for in reality he was a mere man. The one and only true God is the God who had up to now aligned Himself with Israel, His chosen people. We are dealing with the real sovereign, the one and only true God, who wants to transform the fallen world. He had to begin with a nation and the emergence of Israel was His making and He would be working through them. While He was preparing Joseph to save the people of his time, He was also preparing a people through whom His Son and the world’s Savior would be born. He is not only the architect of the universe but also the architect of our salvation. Joseph’s boldness to declare the truth of the sovereign God he served, leaves us with an example to be bold to make known the sovereign God we worship and serve. To Him belong all glory; to Him belong all praise; to Him belong all majesty now and through endless days! Amen!
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