Today's thought

Today’s thought from Genesis 40 & 40

 

When faced with tragedy people are willing to try just about anything.  Look at those around Joseph a cupbearer and the baker are in prison with Joseph, (sounds like the start of an old joke) and are perplexed by dreams that they had while sleeping.  These two guys obviously were in a bad spot, accused by Pharaoh, spending an undetermined amount of time in prison and now are having disturbing dreams; they have fallen far from their lofty positions as pharaoh’s attendants.  Do you really think that they would normally have sought advice from a foreign born slave in his early twenties and serving time for accursedly attacking the wife of a public official if they weren’t at the end of their options.  Regardless of how well Joseph was liked in prison, his resume as a consultant wasn’t looking all that good at the moment.  Even thought Joseph’s interpretation to these men was spot on he was quickly forgotten by the cup bearer when he was restored to his life and position in the Pharaoh’s service.  He was also forgotten by the baker, but we’ll cut him some slack since he was hung. But is it really all that hard to believe. How many people do we encounter through our lives that we touch and forget, I can think of dozens if not hundred of people that I have briefly encountered who may have been interesting or given some random advice that I would never recall to my recollection without significant thought.  I think it is just our nature to remember the significant and the rest just kind of blurs to the background, not forgotten, just not remembered. 

Pharaoh finds himself in a similar spot to his servant’s early situation, he is having lousy dreams, and none of his wise men and magicians capable of interpreting, and a foul mood is developing in the palace.  When that little crisis spark is lit and the cupbearer remembers that insignificant young man in prison that had accurately interpreted his dream.  Now the cupbearer brings this to the Pharaoh’s attention and once again, council is sought in the most bizarre of realms, not because of likely success but because there is no other option.  Joseph however rather than taking credit for his ability gives all the glory and credit to his God.  And when he is able to interpret the dream to pharaoh’s satisfaction he is not only removed from prison he is elevated to the highest position in Egypt, second only to the pharaoh himself.  The task that is before him is enormous and it has taken years for Joseph to be prepared for this role.  In God’s timing and through circumstances that are definitely God arraigned, God now has a devout follower as the lead man of a nation that has no relationship with him. 

For God nothing is unattainable.  When his people are willing to be his instrument God is willing and capable to accomplish the bizarre and it will often happen in the most unlikely of ways.  For Joseph it was from the lowest of positions, foreign slave imprisoned, to second in command in a matter of moments.  And in that moment, Joseph had obtained greater authority than anyone could have imaged in that land.  He now had a platform to transform a nation and openly communicate the power of his God.