In our last lesson, we left off with the knowledge that during Joseph's
imprisonment, at the end of two full years, Pharaoh dreamed dreams that
left this ruler in a greatly troubled state of mind! As the Lord is continually
showing us in the story of Joseph, these are perfect opportunities for
God's people to share God's perspective with those who have exhausted
all other avenues of help. As a matter of fact, we'll see in our reading
today of Genesis 41:9-14 that a certain person in Pharaoh's company had
experienced the help of a particular servant of the Lord, and it just
so happens that it jars his memory…
Genesis 41:9-14
Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults
this day: Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the
captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker: And we dreamed
a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation
of his dream. And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant
to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us
our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. And it
came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto
mine office, and him he hanged. Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and
they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and
changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
Joseph's life is a prime example of the fact that a servant of the Lord
must always be prepared for unexpected opportunities to serve God! One
day, without warning, Joseph was thrown into prison, yet was faithful
to make good use of his time ministering there. Now today, without warning,
he finds himself hastily snatched out of prison to be brought before Pharaoh!
I think we can confidently say that Joseph will be faithful with this
new opportunity, amen? Mark it down ladies; if you're a righteous person
in good standing with the Lord, God will use you anywhere and everywhere!
You see, God could count on Joseph to do right in every setting He placed
him in so He used him often. I wonder if that is the way the Lord feels
about you and I today? Faithfulness should be characteristic of God's
people, yet how many Christians can our heavenly Father really count on
today to represent Him suitably in whatever circumstances He brings their
way…
Psalm 12:1
Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among
the children of men.
Psalm 101:6
Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell
with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
If you recall, Joseph had hoped the butler would remember him and intercede
for him at a much earlier date. However, a man he had shown so much kindness
to had forgotten Joseph until the day Pharaoh became disturbed by the
meaning of his strange dreams. Notice the chief butler said "I do remember
my faults this day".... Ladies, have you ever come to the place where
something jars your memory and causes you to come face to face with your
faults in a way that you've never seen them before?? Do you confess them
publicly to the appropriate party like the chief butler did? When you
come to the sudden and heavy realization that what you do or don't do
greatly affects someone else, you will! You see, there are people within
your sphere of influence that are suffering because of your faults and
they need to know that you realize your neglect in the situation. There
is no such thing as private sin! Acknowledging your faults is part of
the process that brings about the proper changes in a relationship…
Psalm 51:3
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Of course, the offended person should be quick to forgive, but the healing
process begins when others hear YOU humbly confess what you clearly understand
to be your fault, or your contribution to the problem. True confession
proves to others your commitment NOT to continue on in that sin! Those
who have been hurt by your negligent actions are comforted by your confession.
No one can discern all of his sins without the help of God and His Word;
therefore, when God makes your secret faults known to you, always confess
them right away! It clears the way for maximum fellowship and real joy
with God and man.
James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another...
Psalm 19:12
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Though the chief butler confessed his fault to Pharaoh, Joseph had not
the privilege to hear that this man knew he had wronged him. Yes, Joseph
has suffered at the hand of many different people many different times,
yet he remains devoted to the Lord and it is seen here in the smallest
of his actions. Let's look again at verse 14 in our text today and you'll
see what I mean:
Then Pharaoh send and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out
of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came
in unto Pharaoh.
The Bible says Joseph shaved himself and changed his clothes before going
in unto Pharaoh - I love that tidbit of information!! Scripture doesn't
say that anybody required this of Joseph, does it? Certainly Pharaoh wouldn't
care, for he only wanted his dreams interpreted by this prisoner and then
would probably throw him back into confinement. Because things happened
so hastily, Joseph didn't even know the reason he was being summoned!
For all he knew, execution was just around the corner… It is when a person
is caught off guard, that character is best revealed. Joseph's exceptional
character is exhibited in this emergency, for his actions prove his humility
and trust in the Lord. Through research, I learned that Egyptian custom
was to let the beard and hair grow when in mourning. Yet here we have
a young man who had been thrown into prison without justification (a perfect
reason to mourn) making sure that there were no signs of despair showing
in his life! Joseph purified himself for the undisclosed mission that
awaited him. Whatever the outcome, he wanted Pharaoh to know that He was
fully submitted to God.
What do your actions prove, dear lady?? Are there any signs of despair
showing in your life today? Do you care as deeply as Joseph does about
your Christian testimony? As ambassadors of the Lord, regardless of whom
we are about to confront or whether or not we know the details of the
matter, we should ardently prepare ourselves to appropriately represent
our King in every setting. Even when your circumstances require you to
bring yourself before people that do not have your best interest at heart,
you must still come with the mindset of glorifying God! Perhaps you have
a husband today who does not love the Lord - you must still do all you
can to honor his position and love him as a person. Likewise, a Christian
worker should be the best on the job even if he has the worst boss. Maybe
certain family members do not approve of your Christian lifestyle - you
must still give your time and attentions to them in a respectable fashion.
Whatever the case may be, we must never disconnect ourselves from the
duties of the gospel! We should never become lazy about our testimony,
regardless of life's difficulties. No matter what, we should strive for
excellency, for it's the Lord we really serve!
Col. 3:23-24
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:
for ye serve the Lord Christ.
In closing, let's all learn from Joseph that our social skills and relationships
must be dominated by our relationship with the Lord! It is by God's power
and authority that we should live out our daily lives. If the Lord is
truly preeminent in our hearts, then we will love, submit, and treat all
people suitably in the Lord - NO MATTER WHAT. God's life in us should
express itself AS God's life! Are you prepared to live this way? Can the
people around you plainly detect that you are filled with the Spirit and
the Word of God?? If not, then perhaps you need a shave and a change of
clothes…
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003
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