August 2010 - English

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him (Psa 37:7a)

There is a very famous story about Joseph, which is found in Genesis Chapter 40 and 41. He is in prison for righteousness sake. Pharaoh’s butler and baker are also imprisoned. One night, both have dreams and Joseph is able, through God’s help, to interpret the dreams for them. For the butler, it means that he will be restored to his former position, but for the baker, it means he will shortly be executed. Both interpretations come true! Before the butler’s release, Joseph asks him to use his influence with Pharaoh to have Joseph released. But the butler immediately forgets about Joseph. The opening verse of chapter 41 starts with these poignant words, Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years … (Gen 41:1a)

Joseph had expected that the butler would quickly be able to effect his release from the prison on the unjust charges, but it was not to be. God’s timing was very different, and as we find out when we read further. His plans for Joseph, were not just his release from prison, but his elevation to the role of prime minister of Egypt, and the salvation of his whole family, through whom, in time, the Lord Jesus would be born.

But the time to accomplish this had not yet come, so God left Joseph in prison for a further two years; what questioning he must have endured during those two years!
God knows what He is doing with your life and with my life, and we will, in time, see the wisdom of all that happens, for we serve Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11b)