Genesis 41:39-44 – The Land of Affliction

Genesis 41:39-44
39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

After what no doubt seemed like an eternity of affliction, things finally started to go well for Joseph.  He had been given power above all but Pharaoh himself and was responsible for determining the future of both the nation of Egypt and her people.  In light of such tremendous blessing, it would be easy to forget that Egypt was never supposed to be home for a Jew.  Joseph didn’t forget, and even though he is basically running the show, he still refers to it as the “land of affliction” (Genesis 41:52).  This is why Joseph asked the Hebrews to take his bones out of Egypt when they left (Genesis 50:25).  Earth is just a stop along the way for all of humanity.  No matter how richly the Lord may bless you here and no matter how good people or circumstances may be to you here, never forget that this is not home.  Even on the best days, this is just another land of affliction.  “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).

Genesis 50:20 – God Meant it For Good

Genesis 50:20
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Getting angry when we’ve been wronged seems like common sense, but it is instead proof positive that we lack perspective.  Consider the life of Joseph as told in Scripture.  Many people wronged him.  His brothers sold him into slavery, Potiphar’s wife accused him of rape, and the king’s chief butler forgot him in prison.  But where others would have only seen the bad, Joseph instead realized that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).  Joseph had peace and forgiveness in his heart because he was less focused on what people were doing in his life and more focused on what God was doing in his life.  We would all do well to follow this example.  The Bible teaches that it is needful to let go of hate and bitterness (Ephesians 4:31), so to forgive is not to admit that the person who wronged you is right, it is to admit that God is right.

Matthew 1:18-21 – Blessed Are The Peacemakers

Matthew 1:18-21
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
 
-Imagine what must have been going through Joseph’s mind during the start of this.  His wife and love had apparently betrayed him and was now carrying another man’s child.  What a hard decision to leave the woman he loved and move on with his life.  It would have been easy to react harshly and make a public mockery of Mary.  But instead of being despondent and rash, Joseph was patient and discreet.  Let this be a lesson in grace to each of us the next time we feel that we have been wronged.  Even though Joseph seemingly had a case, he still planned to treat Mary with respect and dignity and look at the end of his situation.  A personal revelation from God and the opportunity to help raise the Savior of the world.  “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:8-9)