Verse of the Day 6/2

 

Genesis 41:16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Our Pastor Bob has been going through a series by the title "Joe", chronicling the life of Joseph in Genesis.  I've read through the story many times over the years and it is one that is remarkable, layer upon layer.  Following along this past week today's verse caught my attention.  I think that it points to Joseph's heart.  When you think of all that he had been through up to this point his heart could easily have been bitter.  Looked down upon by his brothers to the point where they considered killing him, instead sold into slavery, put in jail after being wrongly accused and then forgotten.  Now he has an opportunity to clear himself get himself out of the situation, or does he?  He is able to keep his ego in check and testify that it is God who is in control, is the giver of dreams, and is working out a plan in his life and those around him.

 

In our men's Bible study this week we were in Galatians 5 where verses 16 and 25 of that chapter serve as bookends, talking about living by and walking by "the Spirit".  Sandwiched in between in the passage is the familiar "fruit of the Spirit"

 

Galatians 5:22-24  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control;against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Joseph is an Old Testament example or testimony of this. Think of the qualities mentioned here "patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control".  They are definitely qualities seen in Joseph's life in and through the trying circumstances.  It all points back to the beginning of today's verse which shows the humility of the man, and his trust in God, "it is not in me" it is God working, accomplishing His purposes in Joseph.

 

We may hope for God to do great things through us.  If He is to do so, our sense of pride needs to be removed, and if our dreams are fulfilled, to be able to acknowledge "that it is not me" it is God who will accomplish those things, He will bring about the favorable answers.

 

To God be the glory.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Genesis 41:15-21

The Message (MSG)

¹⁵ "I dreamed a dream," Pharaoh told Joseph. "Nobody can interpret it. But I've heard that just by hearing a dream you can interpret it."

¹⁶ Joseph answered, "Not I, but God. God will set Pharaoh's mind at ease."

^17-21 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile. Seven cows, shimmering with health, came up out of the river and grazed on the marsh grass. On their heels seven more cows, all skin and bones, came up. I've never seen uglier cows anywhere in Egypt. Then the seven skinny, ugly cows ate up the first seven healthy cows. But you couldn't tell by looking—after eating them up they were just as skinny and ugly as before. Then I woke up.