Read to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Genesis 41-42
Genesis 41:14
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 story continues. After two long years of loneliness, though the Lord was with him, the chief butler that Joseph had helped in prison remembered him. So, Joseph was brought before Pharaoh. Before entering into the presence of this king, our hero cleaned himself up; he shaved, changed clothes, and probably bathed and cared for his hair. Last year Dr. Jack Trieber of the North Valley Baptist Church spoke at the Great Southwest Bible Conference at Trinity Baptist Church in Arlington Tx. While preaching Dr. Trieber told of his privilege to meet two of our country’s presidents. He stated that prior to the actual meeting he made sure his suit was pressed, shoes shined (twice), and everything else concerning his appearance was top notch. After all, he was meeting the President. He used this as an illustration of the care we take in meeting some high placed individual and stressed that we should care as much, or more, about our appearance when presenting ourselves to the Lord God at our local church.
Back to Joseph. By reading this part of his story today notice two things.
First Joseph had a plan. Not only did he relay to Pharaoh the meaning of his dream, but he also gave the king a plan (41:33-36). There are many who can identify a problem, but Joseph, not only could he, and did he, interpret the dream, he also laid out a plan to save Egypt. The next time there is a problem that has to be addressed, try to have a well-thought-out plan to fix the problem. Joseph did, and he was promoted to Vice Pharoah, for lack of a better term.
Also, notice that Pharaoh accepted Joseph’s interpretation and plan, and then he immediately put Joseph over all his house and all the people of Egypt (41:40). Why? Why would a chief of state immediately promote a man just released from prison to the second highest office of the land? The political fallout of such a decision can only be imagined. But he did. Pharaoh heard the interpretation, heard the plan to save his nation, accepted it, and decisively moved to action. How many would have had to check it out, form a committee, wait for more information, or a more convenient season? Frankly, he simply accepted Joseph by faith.
So too do those who receive the greater Joseph, Jesus Christ. They hear of His plan to save them alive (we call it the gospel) and they immediately receive him and make alterations in leadership for their lives. Pharaoh had no proof, neither do sinners have proof of the gospel except for the proof of faith. After all,…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Pharoah was fearful because of his dream and the interpretation, but he heard of a way of salvation from the famine and by faith accepted the plan and the person of Joseph. Such is the way of every child of God. They simply accept Christ by faith. Pharaoh’s decision turned out to be a good one, and so is it for every Christian. They are saved from eternal death and given eternal life by simply accepting the plan (gospel) through Jesus Christ the Lord.
William T. Howe Ph.D.
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