Gen. 40-42

Although there was a severe famine everywhere, Joseph was thriving and making a profound difference in the lives of many. It was all a part of God’s plan to bring His people to Egypt for testing and growth.

We have the wrong focus if we only see the hardship. Keep your eyes on God. He is performing a mighty miracle that will become apparent down the road.

Gen. 41

Although he was imprisoned, God’s gift in Joseph was not bound. To him, God gave the interpretation of Pharoah’s dream of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharoah appointed him to be second in command of the entire land.

You are the only one who can diminish God’s gift in your life. Use it, nurture it, enjoy it. Others will be blessed by it.

Gen. 40

After accurately interpreting the dreams of Pharoah’s cupbearer and baker who were also confined in prison with Joseph, he asked the cupbearer to remember him. Didn’t happen. How dejected Joseph must have felt. Nevertheless, God had a plan for Joseph to become his family’s deliverer. Timing was everything. He merely needed to wait until Pharoah had a dream himself.

“He didn’t realize he was a shave and a haircut away from the Prime Minister’s seat.” -Moses Vegh

Gen. 39

Joseph was setup by Potiphar’s wife and accused of making advances toward her. He was cast into prison, but God’s favor and blessing followed him there.

There are SO MANY parallels between Christ and Joseph, the main being a false accusation. It only propelled both to their ultimate position of effectiveness.

Hang in there.

Gen. 39

God’s hand of favor was upon Joseph. EVERYTHING he did was successful. Self-help falls far short when compared to God’s blessing.

The time spent trying to improve yourself would be better spent seeking God, studying His Word, and launching persistent prayers.

“He who waits on God loses no time!”

Gen. 36, 37

To Joseph was given dreams that had his brothers all subject to him and bowing down. This infuriated them. They were older and more in line for the family rule. Nevertheless, he began a long and painful journey to ultimately become the second in command of all Egypt.

God will give you a glimpse of your future and then process you to create capacity to fulfill your destiny. Don’t throw away your ticket.

Gen. 34

Jacob”s daughter Dinah was defiled by Shechem which infuriated Jacob’s sons. To get even they devised a revenge plan. They required all the men of Shechem’s village to be circumcised. While the men were recovering and vulnerable, Simeon and Levi slew them all.

Many entirely innocent men lost their lives. ONLY GOD can justly deal with tragedies such as this. My mentor would often says, “God doesn’t always pay on Fridays, but He ALWAYS PAYS.”

Gen. 32

You are in good company. Jacob was a deceiver. He stole his brother’s birthright. He manipulated the odds of his father-in-law’s livestock reproduction to his advantage. Then, one night he wrestled with God Who put his hip out. God changed his name to Israel, Prince with God. He had a limp on the outside but he was straightened on the inside.

Confess your faults to the Lord and be straightened.

Gen. 30, 31

Jacob’s arrangement with his father-in-law, Laban, was that he would take the spotted and speckled and black livestock and Laban the solid colors. Guess what. Jacob’s choice prospered more thanLabans’s.

God’s hand was in Jacob’s blessing. His hand will also prosper you. Wait and watch.

Gen. 29

It is critical that you marry the right person. The Jewish patriarchs were ultra deliberate on finding the right mate.

Abraham commissioned his trusted servant, Eleazar, to find a wife for Isaac. Eleazar represents the Holy Spirit Who guided him to Rebekah.

It’s never too early to begin praying that your children and grandchildren find the mate of God’s choosing.