Waking Up

He looked out over the land through the palace window and watched all of the people moving about the grain silos like ants around a mound. Joseph noted today there were many caravans from far away places today. He could tell by the peoples’ dress and colorful blankets on their animal packs. He reached out to wave at one of his favorite servants and the sunlight bounced off the ring on his hand. The shiny gold of the ring matched the heavy gold chain around his neck. Both were given to him by the Pharaoh many years ago when the Pharaoh had made him governor over Egypt. In addition to the jewelry, the Pharaoh had given Joseph an Egyptian name and a wife to go with it.  She had bore Joseph two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Upon seeing them after their births, Joseph had wept. It was the first time in over 20 years that he felt he had any sense of family. “If only Father could see my sons,” Joseph thought, but then the daunting realization came that probably by now Jacob had died. Once again, this stabbed at his heart and he put the pain of homesickness back in the deep recesses of his mind where he had stored it —since the day the Egyptian caravan had carried him away from the land of his home.

Joseph thought about the day Pharaoh had sent for him in the palace prison. His heart had sung at the thought that perhaps justice had finally been served, and that he would be restored to some level of dignity and prosperity. When Joseph was sent to bathe and dress before his appearance before the King, he barely recognized his own face in the polished bronze disc.  As he shaved off his beard, gone was the 17 year old that had come to this land. In its place was the face of a mature man who had been seasoned and refined by the triumphs and the tragedies that God had brought him through. Joseph could still remember the smooth cool feel of the palace marble floor on his bare feet. How opulent the bath house had been and its fixtures compared to the prison conditions he had lived under for 10 years. When Joseph entered the court of the Pharaoh, he and the king had immediately proceeded with the business of the Pharaohs’ dream. Joseph smiled even now as he thought about the cupbearers’ face that was filled with both embarrassment and relief as Joseph had entered the room. 

When the Pharaoh had shared his dream of both the fat and skinny cows, and the healthy and diseased wheat stalks. Joseph had responded by saying “It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.” (Genesis 41:16, NLT)

“Joseph responded, “Both of Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do. 26 The seven healthy cows and the seven healthy heads of grain both represent seven years of prosperity. The seven thin, scrawny cows that came up later and the seven thin heads of grain, withered by the east wind, represent seven years of famine……..As for having two similar dreams, it means that these events have been decreed by God, and he will soon make them happen.” (Gen 41: 25-32)

If Joseph had learned anything over the last several years, he had learned that God was in charge of all things —especially dreams. Joseph humbly remembered the conflict his own personal dream interpretations had caused with his brothers. Those dreams had birthed Josephs’ journey to the House of the Pharaoh.  

Pharaoh was impressed by the spiritual wisdom God had given Joseph and the power to interpret the dream. It was because of this that Pharaoh had put him in charge of the national project to protect the people from starvation. When the Pharaoh had given Joseph his ring, it was official. Joseph was governor over all of Egypt. Joseph was thirty years old when he went to work for Pharaoh the king of Egypt. (Gen 41:46) Even today, as Joseph looked out the window down into the streets, his heart swelled with gratitude for all that God had done on his behalf. It was beyond all Joseph could ever dream or imagine. But the homesick 17 year old Hebrew lad was somewhere inside him, and in quiet moments, Joseph could still feel the tears of the young dreamer that were shed at the bottom of the well.

Josephs thoughts were broken by a servants’ knock. “Come in,” Joseph called, and the servant relayed that there was a group of men that had traveled from far away to trade for grain. As was customary, Joseph oversaw large grain exchanges, especially with foreign tradesmen. Joseph followed his servant downstairs to his own court where the band of shepherds dressed in their native garb, nervously awaited the reply of their request for grain. They were wearing Canaanite cloaks and Joseph recognized the group of bearded men immediately (Gen 42:7). As Joseph scanned the small crowd of men, who could have predicted that Joseph would find himself staring straight into the eyes of none other, than his older brother, Reuben (Gen 42).

Every time I read this scriptural account of these events, all I can say is WOW!The amazing providence and power of God to bring all of the circumstances that have occurred to this moment is overwhelming. What I read in a few passing moments took years to unfold. It is easy when you are on the outside the story to casually dismiss all the waiting, praying, refining, humbling, and the trusting that was required by Joseph. All of it was orchestrated by God for Joseph to arrive at this outcome. It was the fulfillment of a lofty adolescent dream long ago. If I am not careful, I can go all Hollywood and cinematic by being caught up in the pageantry and irony of all that has happened thus far. It is more than mere coincidence. The hero of this story is not Joseph. It is God, Himself! 

First, I am reminded that the seeds planted in the young dreamer Josephs’ mind were Gods’ alone. They were not designed to solely bear fruit for just an exciting adventure and climb to success for Joseph. Though this was a by-product of the turn of events, Gods’ greater purpose of revealing His powerful love, pursuit and provision for the Israelite people is at the heart of this epic account. But let’s stop for a moment and look at the journey of restoration that Joseph has been through. Isn’t it good when the underdog, the wronged are made right? It reminds me of a line I read in a book called Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach  She wrote, “Following God results in a reminder that at the end, all the rules are fair and God has wonderful surprises in store for those who follow Him.” Of course, this is not the motive to obey, but God gave us the bible. He gave it to us to encourage us, remind us, and to discipline us into a way of thinking that He (God) is faithful and He honors faithfulness. I laugh and tell my life-group that I teach that bible is Gods’ internet. He is always on-line and if you access your problem, God has a solution He is willing to share because he loves us!

Joseph lost family, cultural identity and later was unjustly imprisoned. He was later forgotten by a friend he helped in prison and waited for 10 years for justice to prevail. In the current culture we live in, these experiences most often leave individuals with a sense of entitlement to both restoration and reparation. For those of us who follow Christ, we are reminded that “in this world we will have trouble”(John 16:33) and that “we will be hated and experience persecution.” (John 15:18) Jesus also promises through several parables that the faithful will ultimately be rewarded in this life and in the life to come (Mark 10:30)

The problem for me is that I start deciding about when it’s time for me to be restored and rewarded without regard to Gods’ purpose and timing. I have doubt about the delay of these things, which fosters unbelief where if I am not careful, I can start doubting the very character of the loving heavenly Father I serve. By the way, this isn’t a new thing, it’s as old as the human race. The serpent in the garden used this 2 point attack to entice Eve. First, the serpent caused her to question Gods’ character and then he convinced her she was entitled to more. (Genesis 3). The only route out of this mindset for me is prayer, confession, repentance, and anticipation that God will do as He promises. Keeping a journal or notes of things I don’t understand has helped. When God puts it all together, the journal has served and does serve as a reminder for tough times when I am waiting for the restoration and reward. Even now there are situations I am in that I am waiting for resolution. There are prayers I am waiting to be answered. Betrayals that I am waiting to be avenged. I must hold fast to the promise and belief in my heart that God knows all of this and He is behind the scenes working. Just like He orchestrated the life of my fellow servant, Joseph.

We see in the life of Joseph that God reveals His glory and power by weaving national interest and the protection of Israel, and the personal development of His relationship to Joseph together. I am amazed at the multitude of blessings Joseph receives. I am also amazed at his response. He flourishes in refinement, matures and becomes skillful at facing challenges. Gone are his youthful arrogance and haughty spirit. I love that Joseph makes the journey from “I am a dreamer and  I am destined for greatness,” to telling the cupbearer and chief baker, “Dream Interpretation is Gods’ business.” Joseph now understood the wrong he committed in interpreting his own dream before his brothers. 

While the content proved to be ultimately true that he would be a great leader, Josephs’ delivery of the message of the dream lacked reverence to God and the purpose He had for him. By the time Joseph arrived before the Pharaoh, he had matured in his relationship with God where now Joseph humbly states it is only through the power of God that he can interpret a dream.  It Is God alone speaking in the dream. How do I account for this change? God and His perfect ability to change the human heart and the willful submission on Josephs’ part to the transforming work of God. I believe by this time Joseph had come to recognize it wasn’t all about him.

Sometimes when things are going so well, we say, “If I am dreaming, don’t wake me up.” I wonder if Joseph had moments like this when the Pharaoh placed a ring on Josephs’ finger and proclaimed Joseph as Governor. I am sure Joseph had moments here he wanted to pinch himself to make sure it was a reality and not a dream. The real truth is that God is good and that He owns it all and everything is under his sovereign control. He is as interested in restoration as much as He is in reward. Despite all that Joseph had obtained, he still had a wound and a loss that had not healed. 

Come next time where we look at what God does to heal this hurt in the life of Joseph to remind us all, just when we think somethings can never be recovered— it can.