Genesis 40-45

"Two years later." Here is Joseph, in prison, an innocent man, seeing his way out, interpreted a dream for both the butler and the baker and yet butler forgets his promise! At what point would you and I despair, give in to the temptation that we had been forsaken, give up hope on the prophetic dreams of our yesterdays that proclaimed the prosperity of our future? 2 Peter 3:8 reminds us that a day is as a thousand years and thousand years as a day to the Lord. Our despair is not because we have been forgotten by God, impossible, but rather that we have forgotten that time does not drive Him but rather timing.

I love too the names Joseph chose for his two sons. According to the Apologetics Study Bible, Manasseh means "God has made me forget all my hardship in my father's house." And, Ephraim means, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." May it be that all of us see that our names, whatever they may be, have a strong foundation, be rooted in an unrelenting conviction that "God made..." We are in His grip and no set of circumstances can displace us! If you are in a dark place in your life, whether it be in innocence like Joseph or due to reciprocity like Joseph's brothers, if you genuinely love God, He is working to both Manasseh and Ephraim you!

These chapters for me are also a the basis for reconciling two people who are offended with one another. Usually there is no Joseph in my experience. Both side typically bear some guilt, as well, both side typically can boast some innocence. One can make a great case that Joseph was not completely innocent. We see arrogance and pride in his youth, and the story reveals, these can be costly sins. Think of a time you have been offended by someone, was your heart toward that person, your attitude, your words to them, your words to others about them...were they the perfect mirror of Jesus? If not, we aren't as innocent as we might think. We usually are both Joseph and his brothers mixed together. Since both side are typically this, the mediator must help each person see where they themselves have sinned. Usually, we can't see our own wrong doing because we are too focused on the other's. That is why Jesus talks to us about getting plank out of our own eye before we try to operate on the speck in our brother's eye. This is how reconciliation always takes its first step, each party sees the willingness of the other to take responsibility for their part...that releases grace into the situation, confession and requests for forgiveness become the seeds that soon blossom into restored relationship.

Finally, let us not forget that God brings Israel into Egypt, for one immediate purpose...slavery?

Pastor Fred