Daily Devotions
Genesis
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side…" Psalm 124:1
Text: Genesis 41:1-57
UNMOVED BY HONOURS
A lesser man would have his head turned by the power and authority given by Pharaoh so suddenly. Though but a young man, Joseph did not allow all the pomp and pageantry associated with his high office to get in the way.
WORK TO BE DONE
There was much work to be done. He was on a mission – from God, and not just the Pharaoh. The dreams from the Lord were His special way of revealing what would take place shortly. Joseph took his responsibility most seriously.
“And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh,
and went throughout all the land of Egypt.”
GENESIS 41:46
Joseph had not seen much of Egypt. His first priority was to do a quick survey of the entire land of Egypt! The next task was truly formidable.
“Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth
abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven
years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food
in the cities; he laid up
in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them.
Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea,
until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.”
GENESIS 41:47-49
THE SONS OF JOSEPH
Joseph had two sons from his marriage to Asenath, the daughter of the priest of On. God had provided for every need. God’s hand of blessing was to be acknowledged.
“Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh:
‘For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s
house’. And the name of the second he called Ephraim:
‘For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction’.”
GENESIS 41:51-52
THE COMMENCEMENT OF FAMINE
God’s word had come to pass. There were seven years of extra abundance! Now the lean years had begun! Egypt and all neighbouring countries were badly affected!
“And the seven years of famine began to come,
As Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands,
But in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
So when all the land of Egypt was famished,
the people cried to Pharaoh for bread.
Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians,
‘Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.’ ”
GENESIS 41:54-55
Joseph was well and truly established as the Pharaoh’s right hand man!