January 26th
Today’s reading, Genesis 41, tells of Joseph’s release from prison—a moment that highlights God’s working in our lives during seasons when we aren’t aware.
Though the cupbearer had forgotten Joseph, God had not. When Pharaoh was troubled by a dream, the cupbearer remembered Joseph—the Hebrew prisoner who had correctly interpreted his own dream back in Genesis 40.
It’s interesting that so early on in the chosen people’s history, Joseph was referred to as a Hebrew. We can trace this classification being used as early as Genesis 14:13 with Abraham. The term “Hebrew” means one who “crosses over” or “passes through.” In many ways, this was Joseph’s story—he was just passing through: He passed through Potiphar’s house, He passed through prison, and his family passed through Egypt, albeit it took 400 years, just as God told Abraham in Genesis 15:13.
Joseph had no material wealth or earthly power; he only had his faith and the spiritual gift of dream interpretation. And even what he had, he knew wasn’t his own. He told Pharaoh that the dream’s interpretation wouldn’t come from him but from God.
“Joseph answered Pharaoh, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.’” Genesis 41:16
It was because of his understanding—during life’s lowest points—that Joseph remained faithful and righteous. And then because of that God turned evil into good.
Think about this: The interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream became the very Word of God that we are reading today. The Word of God transformed his life, literally rescuing him from the pit. He was lifted out of prison and made second-in-command over Egypt. God blessed Joseph so that he named his sons “Manasseh” and “Ephraim” meaning,
“God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house” … “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:51–52
As the reader, we’re excited because we feel the climax—we know how the story unfolds. God has not forgotten Jacob (Israel), and the last verse of chapter 41 points to the continuation of God’s plan:
“Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.” Genesis 41:57
Tomorrow Joseph will be reunited with his family.
Joseph’s story reminds us of the importance of God’s Word and the subsequent spiritual gifts He gives when we embrace Him. In John 1:1, 14 we’re told that Jesus is the Word. We know that He is the One who lifts us from the darkest prison and gives us in a new position as His children. He gifts us with spiritual gifts (1st Corinthians 12:7) and everything that we need to live a life of godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Lean into Jesus, trust in His Word, and He will lift you up and place you on higher ground. All you need is Him and the gifts He so generously gives to be brought into His unfolding story.