Daily Devotions
Genesis
"He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his possessions, To bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom." Psalm 105:21-22
Text: Genesis 41:1-57
A WORD OF ADVICE
All trembled before the master of Egypt, with the exception of Joseph. He feared no one except the Lord. He spoke plainly and urgently. He spoke convincingly as well. Would Pharaoh also heed this word of advice?
“Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man,
and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this,
and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth
of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years.
And let them gather all the food of those good years…
and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh…
Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years
of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land
may not perish during the famine.”
GENESIS 41:33-36
What sound and practical advice Joseph gave Pharaoh. His clarity, his insight and his practicality were astounding! This man languished in Pharaoh’s prison these past two years?
JOSEPH HONOURED
Pharaoh was swift in acknowledging an obvious and important truth!
“Can we find such a one as this,
A man in whom is the Spirit of God…
Inasmuch as God has shown you all this,
there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
You shall be over my house, and all my people
shall be ruled according to your word;
only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you…
See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
GENESIS 41:38-41
Joseph must have been humbled by the tremendous responsibility that the Pharaoh had placed upon his shoulders. Never in his wildest imagination could he have thought that he would be the second-in-command over the mighty land of Egypt!
JUST THIRTY YEARS OF AGE
Joseph was well and truly honoured. He wore a special signet ring from the Pharaoh. He now wore fine linen. He had a gold chain placed on him. He was given a special chariot from Pharaoh! He was introduced to Egypt with great pomp and splendour. The Pharaoh went further. He gave a wife to Joseph as well.
“Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh…”
GENESIS 41:42-46
None of this would have been possible without God’s hand of blessing!