Highlights In Today's Reading:
The thrilling as well as horrifying events follow Joseph's God-given gift of dream interpretation. His own dreams had led him to being sold as a slave and later to a powerful position in Egypt. Joseph's brothers were forced to buy corn (grain) from Joseph in Egypt and they bow down to him. In Egypt, his interpretation of dreams result in him being able to preserve the lives of his brothers.
Verses for Today:
Shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharoah. . . . For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon (Gen. 40:14-15).As a teenager, Joseph was misunderstood, hated, and sold as a slave by his brothers to Ishmaelite traders (37:2,23-28). He was taken by them to Egypt and sold again in the slave market to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officers (39:1). Because of the false accusations of Potiphar's wife, Joseph was put in prison, where he remained for several years. While he was there, his feet were severely injured by shackles (Ps. 105:17-18).
Although Joseph had not committed any crime, he was treated cruelly. But through it all, he had confidence that the Lord was with him (Gen. 39:21-23) and, in God's time, Pharoah sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. . . . And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art. . . . See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt (41;14,39,41).
Just think! God used the hatred of Joseph's brothers and the vengeance of his Egyptian master's wife to mature Joseph and prepare him to protect and provide every need for the people of God. Joseph's release from prison was perfectly timed by God. After Joseph revealed the extent of the famine and the need of supervision (41:32-38), Pharaoh said: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou (41:40).
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! (Rom. 11:33).
There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity or being prepared to be used by the Lord. Consequently, He allows His servants to experience trials, hardships, suffering, before bringing deliverance. But the timing of God is always perfect.
Thought for Today:
After someone has been as cruel to us as Joseph's brother were to him, will we say: Do good to them . . . and pray for them (Matt. 5:44)?
Christ Revealed:
By the wisdom of Joseph (Gen. 41:39). Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:2-3).
Word Studies:
40:1 butler =cupbearer, chief servant officer; 40:3 in ward =in custody; 41:3 ill favoured =cery skinny; brink =bank; 41:5 rank =large full grain; 41:6 blasted =blighted; 41:18 fatfleshed =fine looking; 41:33 discreet =of wisdom and discernment; 41:35 hand =authority; 41:47 by handfuls =abundantly; 41:54 dearth =famine; 41:56 waxed sore =became severe; 42:7 made himself strange unto them =acted as a stranger to them; 42:15 proved =tested; 42:21 besought =begged; 42:34 traffick-do business.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer • Staff: Jennifer Cunningham • Government Official: Rep. Michael McCaul (TX) • Country: St. Kitts-Nevis (42,000) in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies • Major language: English • Religious freedom • 74% Protestant; 7% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Commit your fears to the Lord; He will give you peace and strength (Dan. 10:19).
Optional Reading: Matthew 14
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 23:4