Joseph’s Dreams Fulfilled Part Two

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So many scenes unfolded as the Lord continued to fulfill Joseph’s dreams. No one obtained the stored grain without Joseph’s approval. Not only did they feed the Egyptians, but those who traveled from other areas.
 
Jacob was in Canaan. He sent his 10 oldest sons to buy grain. In Joseph’s dream his brothers bowed down to him. Genesis 42:6 says, “…And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.”
 
Joseph recognized them, but hide his identity from them. He accused them of being spies. They spilled the beans in verse 13. “And they said, Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.”
 
Joseph put them in prison three days. Then he said that he would keep one brother in prison, and the rest would go home with grain. The condition was that they would bring their youngest brother.
 
The 10 brothers talked among themselves and Joseph heard them. Verse 24 says that he turned himself away from them and wept.
 
Simeon stayed in prison, and the rest went back. When they told Jacob what had happened he was upset that they said anything about Benjamin.
 
The grain that Joseph sent was used up and they were faced with the famine again. Jacob finally consented and sent Benjamin. There is much drama which you can read for yourselves.
 
Fast forward. Joseph saw his little brother. He sent everyone from him and revealed himself. Genesis 45:3 says, “Then Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph; does my father still live? But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence.”
 
Can’t you just imagine the shock? Verse 5 helps us understand Joseph’s perspective in his trials. It says, “But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.”

Joseph’s Dreams Fulfilled

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Pharaoh had two dreams. None of his magicians or wise men could interpret them. The butler remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh there was a Hebrew in prison with him who interpreted dreams.
 
Genesis 41:14 says, “Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.”
 
Pharaoh’s dreams spoke of a coming famine. There would be seven good years, followed by seven years of severe famine. Joseph’s dreams fulfillment, became the answer to the impending disaster.
 
Verse 33 Joseph said, “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set his over the land of Egypt.” He went on to explicitly explain God’s plan.
 
Pharaoh placed Joseph over all the land. He gave him his signet ring, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck.
 
23 years after the dream, Jospeh was second in command of all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh gave him a wife. Verse 49 says, “Joseph gathered very much grain as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.”
 
They had seven years of plenty. Joseph wisely stored provision for the coming seven years of famine. When the famine arrived, Joseph was prepared. Verse 56 says, “The famine was over all the face of the earth…And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt.”
 
Joseph had no clue that the impoverishing famine would connect him to his father and brothers. Remember back in Psalm 105, it said that God called for a famine. The Lord orchestrated every moment in Joseph’s life, just as He does ours.
 
Job 42:2 says, “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” God had to get Jacob and his extended family to Egypt, so 430 years later He could raise up Moses to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. All of history, as we know it, was divinely orchestrated. Our present pandemic is also. May the Lord’s purpose be fulfilled in our lives in this moment of history.
 

Developing Joseph’s Character

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Joseph had two dreams when he was 17 years old. At that age, he did not have the maturity to step into the dreams. It took 23 years of trials that stretched, and trained him for the fulfillment.
 
His brothers sold him as a slave to a band of Midianite traders. They took him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
 
Genesis 39:2 says, “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” Verse 3 says that the Lord made all he did to prosper.
 
Joseph was set up by Potiphar’s wife. He fled the scene, but was thrown into the dungeon because of her false accusations. Joseph excelled in prison. Verse 22 says, “And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison.; whatever they did there, it was his doing.”
 
Two of the king’s servants offended him and he had them thrown into the prison where Joseph was. Note how attentive Joseph was. Even though he was in prison, he took his position seriously.
 
Joseph noticed one morning that the king’s butler and his baker were sad. He asked them why they looked so sad. They both told him their dreams which he interpreted.
 
In Genesis 40:14 he asked them to remember him when they were released. Verse 15 is the first mention of how Joseph felt about his trial. It says, “For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.”
 
Genesis 42:21 in another glimpse of his trail. His brothers were speaking. It says, “…for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear…”
 
There is a great narrative in Psalm 105:16-20. It reveals for us God’s purpose, His tools, and the fulfillment. First He sent the famine. Verse 17-18 says, “He sent a man before them–Joseph–who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons.”
 
Verse 19 is the purpose which is applicable for us as well. It says, “Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.” The Lord always tests the word He plants in our heart. It is His pattern for developing the character needed to fulfill His purpose. Ephesians 1:11 says that He works all things according to the counsel of His will.

Sowing Tenacity

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Jacob refused to let go of the angel that was wrestling with him. Genesis 32:26 says, “And He said, Let Me go, for the day breaks. But he said, I will not let You go unless You bless me!”
 
Have you ever wrestled with God over an issue in your life? It is in the wrestling that the inner change comes. Jacob knew what the Lord had promised, and he was not going to give it up.
 
Circumstances in Jacob’s life were hard. He labored for a deceitful man. All the while he held onto God’s promise to take care of him and return him to his home place.
 
We do not wrestle with a physical angel as Jacob did. We wrestle with thoughts, mindsets, and strongholds. What God has said, He will do. There is no question.
 
However, we may play presumptuous scenes in our mind, or negative dialogue against a person or circumstances, or allow doubt, fear, or unbelief to creep in. Each one of these will begin the process of undermining our faith.
 
That is why Ephesians 6:16 says to take up the shield of faith. Only our faith will quench the fiery dart lies of the enemy. Here is another verse. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 says, “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”
 
The breastplate protects our heart which is our belief center. Anything done in our own strength will not be from love but from our own selfish ambitions. Love and faith are both persevering gifts from the Lord.
 
The helmet of salvation protects our minds. It is our anchor of hope in the storms of our life. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Sowing tenacity is essential for us to finish well.

Futility of Presuming & Jacob’s Transformation

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Futility of Presuming
 
Isaac presumed he was going to die. He sent his son Esau out to get game for him. Rebekah overheard and set up Jacob’s deceit. Jacob stole the blessing intended for Esau the firstborn.
 
Esau threatened to kill Jacob. Therefore, Rebekah sent Jacob away to her family to find a wife. Jacob worked for deceitful Laban for 20 years. When he fled Laban, he sent word to Esau that he was coming back.
 
Jacob’s servants told him that Esau was coming with 400 men. Jacob presumed the worst. Yet here is the reunion. Genesis 33:4 says, “But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.”
 
Not only did the brothers unite, but after Jacob got back he went to his father. Some twenty years had passed and Isaac was still alive! His original presumption of his impending death did not take place. Genesis 35:29 says, “Isaac breath his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.”
 
Jacob’s Transformation
 
Jacob’s name means supplanter or deceitful. As Esau was coming out of the womb, Jacob grabbed his heel. The literal meaning of his name is One Who Takes the Heel.
 
Fast forward. Jacob was on his way to meet Esau. He had sent everyone ahead of him and spent the night alone. An angel came and wrestled with him. Genesis 32:27 says, “What is your name? He said, Jacob.”
 
I recently heard a speaker who said that the angel was not asking for information but confession. He wanted Jacob to acknowledge what he had been. In essence, Jacob said, ‘my name is supplanter and deceitful.’
 
Verse 28 says, “And He said, Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
 
The Lord changed Jacob’s name to Israel, which means Prince with God. God commended Jacob and gave him a new name to reflect his character transformation.
 
Israel became the father of the 12 tribes of the children of Israel. The Lord used his trials to change his character. He does the same in our lives. He uses our trials to prepare us for His purposes. We have to grow in character in proportion to the assignment.
 
Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope.” The Amplified uses the words proven character.

The Power Of Sowing & Reaping Pt. 2

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Remember that Jacob fled from Laban. Then Laban pursed him and caught up, accusing him of stealing his household gods. The night before the Lord spoke to Laban in a dream and told him to speak to Jacob neither good nor bad. After Laban searched everything, Jacob spoke (Genesis 31:36-41). Then verse 42 says, “…God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”
 
Laban and Jacob made a covenant together. Laban made a true statement that applies to us today. Verse 50 says, “…God is a witness between you and me!” No matter what we think or what we do the Lord is a witness.
 
The next scene is about Esau and Jacob. Jacob sent his servants to tell Esau that he was coming. The messengers came back and told Jacob that Esau was coming to meet him, and he had four hundred men with him.
 
Genesis 32:7 says, “So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed…” His actions after that reflected his fear and distress. He put his animals out in front with his servants to distance himself from Esau.
 
Verse 20 says, “…For he said, I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.”
 
Jacob jumped to conclusions. He acted out of fear. He dialogued in his mind about his circumstances, and did everything in his own strength. Even though he had just rehearsed that the Lord had promised to protect him and bring him back to his father’s house, he schemed how to preserve his life (32:9-12).
 
When we sow deception, we reap it in another season. It had been 20 years since Jacob had fled his father’s house because Esau threatened to kill him. In his present circumstances, he assumed he knew what Esau was thinking.
 
We NEVER know what another is thinking. It is not wise to presume anything. Our actions need to be based on truth alone. David wrote Psalm 19. Verse 13 says, “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.”
 

3 FREE EBOOKS

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3 FREE EBOOKS
 
Today, Friday, and Saturday three of my ebooks are on Amazon for FREE!
 
These two are short:
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Conquering Fear: Jesus is our Victorious Conqueror
 
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The Power of Sowing and Reaping

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After Esau found out that Jacob had received Isaac’s blessing, he hated Jacob and vowed to kill him. Rebekah sent Jacob to her brother Laban to find a wife.
 
Jacob agreed to work seven years for Laban so he could marry Rachel. When the seven years were fulfilled, he asked for his wife. Laban deceived him! The wedding took place and the next morning he discovered his bride was Leah (according to custom the firstborn had to be married before the youngest).
 
He agreed to work another seven years. He loved Rachel more than Leah. Fast forward. Leah had 7 children. After Rachel had Joseph, Jacob asked to leave Laban. Laban implored him to stay.
 
Jacob did stay and his flocks increased greatly. Laban’s countenance was not favorable (Genesis 31:2). Jacob spoke to Rachel in verse 7. “Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times…”
 
Do you see how the deception was a family sin? As the story continued, Jacob left with all that was his. Verse 34 recorded Rachel’s deceit. She stole her father’s gods, put them in her camel’s saddle, and sat on them. Laban searched everything and could not find them.
 
Hosea 10:13 says, “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.”
 
Verse 14 defines the reaping of lies. It says, “You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies…”
 
We are trees of righteousness. The end of Isaiah 61:3 says, “…the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” When we sow righteousness, we reap the fruit of righteousness that glorifies Him. It is succulent fruit for others to eat from the tree of our lives.
 
Isaiah 32:17 says, “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.” We do not reap in the same season that we sow. What we sow now, we will reap in another season. Be careful what you sow.

The Power of Deception Versus the Power of Truth

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The Power of Deception
 
As I continued to read in Genesis, yesterday I noted the deceptive path of Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, and Jacob. Abraham lied to Abimelech that Sarah was his sister. Isaac did the same, saying that Rebekah was his sister. Then when Rebekah heard Isaac instructing their son Esau, she planned her deception as well.
 
Rebekah explained to Jacob what she wanted him to do. He said to her that if he deceived his father, he would bring a curse upon himself. Note this chilling verse. Genesis 27:13 says, “But his mother said to him, Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.”
 
When we plan our deceit we bring a curse upon ourselves. Joshua said the same thing to the Gibeonites in Joshua 9:22-23. The enemy of our soul is called the deceiver. Why would we practice his ways?
 
The Power of Truth
 
Truth leads us into righteousness. Psalm 25:4-5 says, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.”
 
Psalm 43:3 says, “Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.”
 
John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
 
John 14:6 says that Jesus is the truth and the way. Verse 17 says “The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
 
What a glorious truth! The Spirit of truth dwells within us to always lead us into truth. 1 John 2:21 says, “…no lie is of the truth.” God’s word is our source of Truth. When we hide His word in our heart, we are filling our heart with truth. His truth IN us will lead us away from the deceptive lures of temptations to sin.