Unfortunately, not everyone is for you...(Part 2)

The story of Joseph comes to an end. And things have turned around in so many ways. One thing for sure is perspective.

——We must have a change of perspective ——

Reading: Genesis 41-50

The story takes a sudden turn in writing, but in actuality it was a few more years. Joseph clearly endured a lot, but as I read, I wonder if he forgot the dreams he had or thought if they would even come true at all anymore.

——Our dreams NEED to be challenged——

Joseph stayed in prison for another two years. After two years Pharaoh had two dreams back to back and he asked for its meaning. No one could give the interpretation except Joseph. After Joseph gave the interpretation of the dreams Pharaoh made Joseph the top of all Egypt. Only the throne did Joseph not have power over, but everything else Pharaoh placed under his command because of the wisdom he had regarding the dreams.

Genesis 41: 25-36 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt,  but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land,  and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. And the doubling of Pharaoh's dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 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. 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. 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 had no formal training. He learned as he went—thrown to the wolves (pretty much). He was sold to be a slave and in that he became a leader. He was framed and went to prison and in that he pretty much became second in command of the prison. He dealt with those in high social status, and he dealt with those in low social status and how to give direction. In those times, Joseph’s faith was strengthened too because of how the interpretations he gave was always accurate.

Those moments were important moments in Joseph’s life which lead him to rule over all the land of Egypt. This was where God wanted to be from the beginning. His brothers initially plotted against him because they were jealous of him, but at the end, Joseph was the reason why they lived and was later recognized by all the land of Egypt because they were Joseph’s family.

Our dreams need to be challenged in order for us to be able to handle the responsibility of the dream itself. If you look carefully at the road that Joseph went through you will see that people were always involved. Joseph’s dream was that of elevation. He was called to be a ruler. His dreams dealt with things bowing down to him. God’s purpose for Joseph dealt with communicating with various people.

We really need to change out perspective. After Jacob, Joseph’s father, died, his brothers feared that Joseph would take revenge on them because of what they did to him all those years ago. They must have thought that all the kindness that was given to them by Joseph and all of Egypt (because of Joseph) was because their father was still alive and so they begged him for forgiveness. But please take a look at Joseph’s reaction.

Genesis 50: 17-21 Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

After everything that happened. Joseph could see that it was all God’s plan. There was no hate in him towards his brothers. You can clearly see Joseph before, during, and after he came into his position of calling. One thing for sure that remained was his integrity. He didn’t try to make things happen, well he kind of tried, but it was all in God’s timing after he was forgotten by the prisoner for two years.

This is just a few days into the new year. Do you have dreams that are currently being challenged? Don’t give up hope. Keep going and, just like Joseph, you’ll get there.

God bless you