“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Genesis 41:16
Pharaoh had a dream, and none of his wise men could tell him what it meant. When Pharaoh heard that there was a Hebrew prisoner who could interpret dreams, he sent for him right away. When the messenger came for Joseph, I wonder what he was thinking. I wonder how much the messenger told Joseph about what Pharaoh wanted and how Joseph felt about the prospect of standing before the king. I wonder if he thought about the dreams that he interpreted in the prison for Pharaoh’s servants. I wonder if he thought about the dreams that he had as a teenager. I wonder if he got nervous thinking about appearing before Pharaoh, who had the power of life and death over him. Joseph had experienced more than his fair share of hardship since his brothers had sold him into slavery. Perhaps now he would have the opportunity to turn things around. Now people would see that he had a talent that made him special; one that made him extremely valuable. If Joseph had been thinking that way, this would have been his opportunity to let the world know how special he was. But instead of pointing out his own value, Joseph gave all of the glory to God. “It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Joseph immediately let Pharaoh know that God was the source of any help he could provide. Joseph acknowledged God in this extraordinary situation, and God used it to direct Joseph’s path to the palace.
Morning: Genesis 41-42
Evening: Matthew 12:1-23