Nougat 26

Pharaoh obviously sees Joseph as his right hand man, despite his prison record. Who would have thunk that interpretation of one dream would have such impact? Maybe Joseph, since he was in direct conversation with God. The fact is siblings, we can’t truly know the extent of our obedience to God until we obey. Today’s Holy Nougat helps out this in perspective.

“So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭39‬-‭40‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Favored

There’s no denying it – Joseph has come a long way. And it was the result of his faithful administration of the gifts given him by God’s Spirit. The ability to interpret pharaoh’s dream/vision wasn’t a gift everyone displayed, as pharaoh’s wise men and wizards weren’t so blessed. Plus it was Joseph’s season.

We can’t ignore God’s timing, and when we’re in alignment with God’s will, we will find ourselves with access to unmerited favour. A pharaoh was a king, usually born into the role dynastically, and Joseph’s dad was a conniving twin. His mother was an idolater. And yes, his dad encountered God and was transformed – but that was his dad.

As for Joseph, he’d been to hell and back. Under normal circumstances, many of us would have expired under the weight of Justice delayed. Yet Joseph persevered. It resulted in His public promotion: pharaoh literally ceded authority to him. With partial conditions – but he was pharaoh’s deputy.

In short, faithfulness carries its own reward, including favor – whether we can see it in the here and now or not. There are times, when like Joseph, we are vindicated off prior wrongs levied against us. Again we see pharaoh acknowledging God’s miraculous deeds through Joseph. When we abide in God’s will, there is scope for reward.

Now I need us to recall that, obedience can also be pricey. Remaining true to God landed Joseph in jail, but the story didn’t end there.

Neither does ours

God is still on our case. There is scope for favor, despite. When we persevere in faith, we lay ourselves open to the move of God’s Spirit And how God awaits us all to lift us up in due season. If we’re not seeing it as yet, we continue to press forward in faith.

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May all we seek be found in Christ