Devotion for Monday 17 May
Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 39 verse 23, “The Lord was with Joseph; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper,” (NRSVB). Joseph was in very unusual circumstances. We read that his brothers sold him to slave traders. He was bought from the slave market in Egypt by Potiphar. Untrue charges were fabricated against Joseph by Potiphar’s wife that caused his master to hand him over to the Egyptian State Prison. Here, in prison, Joseph’s behaviour was impeccable, so much so, that the warden of the prison started to rely on Joseph to care for the prisoners. Whatever duty Joseph was given, it was well done, for the Lord blessed Joseph and allowed him to find favour in prison due to his good and ethnical behaviour. It is a remarkable trait of character that one can still be of service to those who are in practice, closer to being an enemy, than a friend. Being in a strange land, unfairly locked up in jail, Joseph still chose to serve the system that he was subjected to by improving situations for everyone. The wisdom and insight that God gave Joseph did not go unnoticed by the authorities. Even his jailers trusted him and depended on his management abilities!
Joseph could have rebelled or he could have fallen prey to despair! He was used to a very comfortable life, he was the favourite son of his father, Jacob. He was the centre of his father’s attention and was adored and deeply loved by his father. Now, due to his brothers jealousy, he was reduced to a prisoner. He had little hope of release from a jail where he was held as a Hebrew slave. Despite these dire circumstances, Joseph chose to do his father and his nation proud, and above all, to honour the Name of the God of Israel. In these dark times, God still send him dreams and he was reminded of the visions he had when he was just a lad. God used his ability to interpret dreams in the jail. The Pharoah grew displeased with his baker and butler and had them put in prison. Joseph interpreted their dreams for them and explained that the life of the baker would be ended but the butler would be spared. The reinstated butler forgot about Joseph after he was reinstated in the Pharaoh’s service. For two years Joseph continued to be in prison. The Lord was with him and prospered what he did, however, he was not released from jail.
The Pharoah had troubling dreams that disturbed his spirit greatly and he shared it with his butler. The butler suddenly remembered Joseph and told the Pharaoh how Joseph, a Hebrew slave in jail, who served the captain of the guard, helped him and correctly interpreted his dream. At once the Pharaoh sent for Joseph and told him that he heard that he was capable of interpreting dreams. “It is not me: God, not I, will give the Pharaoh a favourable answer of peace,” (Exodus 41 verse 16). History tells us that through Joseph’s interpretation and advice, Egypt was saved from a devastating famine. The surrounding and neighbouring countries came to buy grain from Egypt, who stored up enough grain in many storehouses. This saved the lives of the people of the Ancient Near East. Joseph’s exceptional walk with the Lord grew stronger through his prison days. Even in such an unlikely place, God prepared Joseph to lead the Egyptian’s through famine and drougth. Ultimately, Joseph was instrumental in saving his own father and brothers was reunited with them. It was a journey of many years, coupled with fears and tears, and crowned with success. God promises his children that he will protect them wherever they are. God will turn circumstances that were intended to harm his children to benefit them. They will be successful and even their enemies will respect them, thus glorifying the Lord, for he is an awesome God. He brings his children out into an wide and open space.
People are prone to be curved in on themselves as Luther explained regarding the human condition. Even in the ministry and work of the church and religious organizations jealousy or animosity can read its ugly head. The Apostle Paul was no stranger to the ways of humans and their competive natures. He warns those who claim that certain apostles were more blessed in their work than others, that each one works as it pleases God, but it is God who is the one who secures success. “I planted. Apollos watered, but God gave the growth,” he wrote in his First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter Three verse 6, (NRSVB). Each person’s work in the vineyard is important, but it is God who will reveal himself to each person in his good time and make his grace known. Let us continue to plant good seeds and nourish these, but let us wait on God’s good time to produce the plentiful harvest. There in the prison, Joseph planted seeds of kindness and watered the little plants with encouraging words of hope. God allowed the crop to grow so that it filled storehouses with grain enough for seven years of drought.
Father, we thank you for your word and the stories of the faith of the heroes of Scripture. Thank you that you bring your children out of calamity and crown them with success, Amen.
