“GOD HAS SHOWN YOU!”

 Genesis 41:34-40                                          (ESV)

“[34] Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. [35] And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. [36] That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”

Joseph Rises to Power

[37] This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. [38] And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the SPIRIT of GOD?” [39] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since “GOD HAS SHOWN YOU” all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. [40] You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.””

Joseph found himself in “the place where the king’s prisoners were confined”, in other words, prison!  Just a few days ago I wrote how THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH, but now we SEE that he was RISING TO POWER according to the writers of this text.  Joseph had been sold by his own brothers, lied about by Potiphar’s wife, and imprisoned without cause, but he is never recorded questioning GOD or HIS PLAN!

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers right after he told them of the dream he had where his brothers were bowing down to him (Genesis 37).  He then began his journey through years of “persecution”, following GOD wherever he was led.  The path didn’t lead through comfort and luxury, rather rejection and solitude.  There was nobody telling him how steadfast and obedient he was.  He had to rely on the SPIRIT of GOD to guide and direct him in the path that he was called!

When Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams, he could have told him whatever he thought that would get his prison sentence lightened or possibly pardoned.  Yet Joseph told Pharaoh that seven years of abundance would be followed by seven years famine, and that Pharaoh should prepare!  Pharaoh acknowledged THE WORD from Joseph and ordered that he should be over ALL Egypt, save only his throne.  

How did Joseph know what to tell Pharaoh regarding his dream?  “GOD HAS SHOWN YOU” was the reason given by Pharaoh himself. Nobody else was able to say “GOD HAS SHOWN YOU” because Joseph was being used by ALMIGHTY GOD for HIS PURPOSE.  ONLY JOSEPH was CHOSEN by THE CREATOR to perform during these events.  

When GOD reveals HIS PLAN to you, obedience is a MUST for your life.  Obedience will probably cost more than money, but the reward will be GREAT, just as it was for Joseph.  Just knowing that “GOD HAS SHOWN YOU” is worth it, but HE REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM (Hebrews 11:6)!!!