“And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.” Genesis 41:1
When you bake something in an oven and remove it too soon, it will not be done. If you leave it in too long, it will burn. It was the Lord who determined that two full years were to pass for Joseph before He would bring him out of prison. God didn’t want to bring Joseph out of prison before he was fully done. God has precise and perfect timing over all of our lives.
“And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.” Genesis 39:5-6
We the church, have the same responsibility as Joseph. Just as Joseph was in charge of all of Potiphar’s house and all that he had, so are we here on this earth in charge of all that God has. We are to be good stewards of His kingdom here on earth.
“Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” Gen. 37:20
Those dreams that Joseph had really bothered his brothers. They were afraid they would end up being true. So if they could kill him it would put an end to his dreams. You know, you have to be careful who you share your dreams and promises from God with. There are plenty of skeptics out there that will put you down.
“And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.” Gen. 45:3
Joseph is a type of Jesus Christ in that one day Jesus will reveal himself to the Jewish people, His brethren, and say, I am Jesus, your savior. This time, they will believe Him and receive Him.
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; 43And 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.” Gen. 41:42-43
I wonder how many Christians missed their chariot ride because they gave up when they faced circumstances such as Joseph did.
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.” Gen. 41:14
Joseph woke up one morning in prison and went to bed in a palace. Kind of like the day a person becomes born again. They woke up a lost sinner going to hell and go to bed a redeemed saint, going to heaven.
“And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” Gen. 39:10-12
Just to expound on the statement I made yesterday about Joseph running from himself. Of course Joseph was running from Potiphar’s wife. Yet every one of us understands that we have that sinful nature that still hangs around. The sinful nature, when confronted by temptation, will give into that temptation if it entertains it and doesn’t flee from it. Every time you have been tempted and you immediately ignored it, denied it, fled from it or asked the Lord to strengthen you, you in a sense have run from it. So the point I was making was Joseph was running from the temptation so he would not give into it.
“And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” Gen. 39:10-12
Joseph didn’t run from Potiphar’s wife, he ran from himself.
