Genesis 41:1-57
The story continues in this chapter concerning Joseph’s struggles. At this point, Joseph is still in prison in Egypt, and he has been there many years. We know that Joseph was sold as a slave when he was 17 years old (Gen. 37:2). He came to stand before Pharaoh when he was 30 years old (Gen. 41:46). This means that for thirteen years he suffered horribly because of the jealousy of his brothers. For the last two years of his prison sentence, Joseph waited and hoped for the Pharaoh’s butler to remember him, but the butler had completely forgotten what Joseph had done for him. The important point at this place in Joseph’s story is the fact that the Lord was clearly at work, even though Joseph couldn’t see it. Joseph had no idea what the Lord was doing, or what He was about to do in order to deliver him. But the important thing for us not to forget is that God was still moving behind the scenes. This is an important reminder for all of us! Never forget, God is always at work, even when it seems like nothing is happening. This was the fact in Joseph’s life, and it will also be true in yours! Jesus promised, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working” (John 5:17). Jesus is declaring in this verse that from the creation and the fall of Adam and Eve, the Father has been working to bring about the salvation of all mankind. Jesus came to this earth to finish that work once for all. This is why we can be assured that God is working all things together for good to those who are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).
The record continues, “Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh. Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: ‘I remember my faults this day. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.’ Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.’ So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace’” (Gen. 41:1-16).
Pharaoh dreams!
In these first few verses, it is recorded that Pharaoh had two dreams. The first dream was of seven cows that came out of the river who were fat and good looking. Then immediately there were seven cows that were ugly and gaunt, and they ate up the seven fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. Next, he had a second dream where he saw seven heads of grain that came upon the stalk that were plump and good. But again, immediately seven blighted and thin heads of grain came up, and devoured the seven plump heads. Pharaoh could find no one who could interpret these dreams for him, even after calling all his wise men and magicians. The Hebrew word used her for magicians refers to the astrologers, or a soothsaying-priest. The important point here is that the wise men and astrologers were of no help to alleviate Pharoah’s anxiety concerning these dreams. At that moment the chief Butler all of a sudden remembered Joseph, and his fault of not helping him.
Notice how God worked to bring about Joseph’s deliverance. There are two sides to this work. First, God must get Pharaoh to the place that he is willing to hear what He has to say to him. Second, God needed a person willing to boldly stand and speak for Him to this unbeliever. This is so similar to how God gets a hold of each one of us. For me, the first time someone shared the gospel with me, I was completely unreceptive. But, sometime later, after I had gone through some very difficult times in my life, all of a sudden, I was open and ready to hear the gospel. Then one night my life crossed paths with several old friends that I had gone to school with, and partied with many times. They had all been into hard drugs, and had very radical and sinful lifestyles. But the night our paths crossed, I could immediately see that they were very different, and I wanted to know what had changed them. They all shared how God had radically changed their lives, and this really intrigued me, and I wanted to know more. We talked for hours that night, but I still wasn’t ready to fully surrender my life to Christ. It took further difficulties in my life before I finally surrendered my heart after attending a Billy Graham Crusade. My point is that God has to get a person to the point that they are willing to hear the truth, and He also needs someone to speak the truth, and lead that person to Christ. This is why Paul wrote to the Roman church, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14). Hopefully, you will be a willing preacher, so that others will come to know that there is a God in heaven who knows all about them, and how to answer their questions! And remember, don’t forget to thank and bless those who have helped you along in your spiritual life. Don’t be like the butler who forgot Joseph!
Joseph’s two declarations to Pharoah.
After Pharaoh brought Joseph in before him to interpret his dreams, note the two declarations that Joseph made to the king. First, Joseph declared to Pharaoh that, “It is not in me,” to be able to interpret these dreams. Second, he points Pharaoh to the only one who could give him the answers he was looking for when he states, “God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” These are two powerful declarations given to the Pharaoh. Let me explain why.
In Joseph’s first statement, he revealed his humility by not trying to take the glory for any interpretation that he gave. It is so important to note that these were the first words out of Joseph’s mouth, “It is not in me.” He could have said, “Oh king, I’m the man you are looking for if you want a real interpretation to your dreams.” Or, he could have bargained with Pharoah, by asking if he would be released from prison if he explained what these dreams meant. But he didn’t do that. He simply wanted the king to know that any insight that he had, would not be coming from him, but from the one true God. This is why God declared through Jeremiah the Prophet, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the LORD” (Jer. 9:23-24). Joseph had tremendous wisdom and giftedness, but he did not exalt himself or his abilities in front of Pharaoh. He simply exalted the Lord. This should be an example to each of us, that when people praise us for some spiritual ability we possess, wisdom, or insight we share with them, that we make sure to acknowledge that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights (James 1:17). Sometimes this acknowledgement will be done verbally to others, and always make sure that you acknowledge in your private time with God, that you know where your gifts have come from. This will please God, and keep you useable in His Kingdom.
The previous concept that I have just stated, leads us directly to the second declaration of Joseph. “God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Remember that Pharoah was filled with extreme anxiety from the dreams that he had just experienced. He knew that these dreams were prophetic, for something still yet future, he just didn’t know exactly what they meant. This is why Joseph makes this statement to the king, so that Pharoah would absolutely know where the peace he was about to receive was coming from.
The glorious thing is that God also wants to give each of us a peace in our hearts that will quench all our anxieties. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6)! Jesus said to His disciples on that last night before the crucifixion, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me… Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:1; 27). Later on, that same evening He said to them again, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Many times, when people read these verses, they miss the fact that Jesus explained to His disciples how they might actually experience this peace that He was offering them. He told them that they must first believe in Him; this is how an anxious heart will be able to rest and walk in peace. Specifically, they must believe that He had overcome this world, which meant that He was the One who was in control of all things. Then, most importantly, they must believe that He was the giver of this peace, which would come as a gift if they just trusted Him. This was exactly the same message that Joseph gave to Pharoah. The king had to realize that God was in control of the future of Egypt, and this knowledge would give him this gift of peace.
There is one other truth that is essential to understand how God’s peace can be experienced that is revealed in Isaiah 48:18. There God declared to His rebellious people, “Oh, that you had heeded My commandments then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Note that there are two similes in this verse, referring to God’s peace being like a river and like the waves of the sea. Both of these images are to reveal that God’s ability to give peace comes from an unending source. Think of the Mississippi river which flows every single day into the Gulf of Mexico. The river flow may be large or small, but it never dries up. Or, think about the last time you went to the sea shore, and watched the waves crashing on the shore one after another all day. These waves may be large or small, but they break on the shore every day. Just like a river or the waves, the Lord is this unending source of peace and righteousness for your soul, and for anyone who will come to Him in faith. But, the key to experiencing this peace of God is obedience. He said, “Oh, that you had heeded My commandments then your peace would have been…” We must obey whatever God commands, then His peace will reign within us. That first command is to believe! The point of what I am saying here, is that Pharaoh could have rejected the interpretations to his dreams, laughed at Joseph, and sent him back to his prison. But he didn’t do that. Why? Because Pharoah believed Joseph’s words and he heeded them, which ultimately saved all of Egypt, and all of Joseph’s family as well. So, remember these truths the next time you become anxious!
Pharoah repeats his dreams to Joseph.
In Genesis 41:17-24, Pharoah now repeats his dreams to Joseph again to make sure that he understood what he had seen. “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: ‘Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke. Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good. Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”
Joseph interprets the dreams. Vs. 25-36
“Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, ‘The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one. And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine” (Gen. 41:25-36).
Joseph gave the simple interpretation to these dreams in Genesis 41:29-31. He explained that there would first be 7 years of plenty in the land of Egypt. After that there would be 7 years of famine that would be very severe. This made it absolutely clear to Pharoah exactly what was about to happen. This was God’s warning to this king to prepare and take action.
Why did God repeat these dreams twice?
Joseph tells Pharaoh the reason God gave him two dreams that taught the same thing. He explained to Pharaoh, “The dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass” (Gen. 41:32). This is an important note in Joseph’s interpretation, because it reveals that God wants people, even unbelievers, to know and be absolutely assured of what He is trying to communicate to them. So, when God speaks to me several times about the same thing, or I read a verse of Scripture that really touches me in my devotions, and then someone shares that same verse again with me later in the day, I take notice that God is speaking. This is an important principle not to miss, because God wants you to know His established will for you and your life. When this happens to you, you should see it as a signal so you should pay attention. Often, when God repeats Himself, it means that we may not have fully grasped or applied the truth the first time we heard it. Or, that God is intentionally preparing us for something that lies ahead. When you hear something twice, it’s always a good idea to stop, listen, and seek understanding. Notice that this is why the psalmist declared that God got his attention when He spoke to him twice about the same issue. He declared, “God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God” (Ps. 62:11). May we each be quick to hear His voice, and recognize it as such!
Joseph also gives the application to Pharaoh.
Notice that Joseph doesn’t just simply interpret the dream for Pharaoh; he also provided him with a plan. This reveals another very important principle in Scripture: when the Lord shows you a truth, there is always an application to it. When you read Scripture and the Holy Spirit speaks to you, don’t just think, “Wow, that’s a powerful truth.” Pause and ask yourself, What does God want me to do about what He has just shown me? Is this a promise He wants me to trust Him for? Is this a commandment I need to obey? The application to any truth God reveals to you is where the transformation can occur in your life. Without application of spiritual truth in your life, spiritual insight is useless. Prayerfully ask the Lord, “What is the application for me?”
This is also a key part of effective Bible study, known as inductive Bible study, which involves three key questions:
- What does God say about this issue? (Observation)
- What does God mean by what He has said? (Interpretation)
- How should I apply this truth to my life today? (Application)
Don’t miss this process in your personal study of God’s Word, or in your time of devotion. Never forget that, application transforms truth into real life action.
What was the application Joseph gave to Pharaoh?
Joseph counseled Pharaoh to select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt, that he might appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years, in order that they would have a supply of food during the years of famine. What Joseph did was to encourage Pharoah to have a savings plan to prepare for the famine they knew was coming.
Do you realize that having a savings plan is a very biblical principle. Here is one of the primary places in Scripture where savings is taught. Remember, these dreams and the plan to save came from God, and are given here in Scripture. I hope every single one of you reading this study has a savings account. If you don’t, you are being very foolish. A savings account is an emergency fund, for a time ahead that will be difficult in your life. Preparing for an emergency is just sound wisdom! Having emergency food and water in your home is also very wise. Why? Because we see disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods regularly on the news. But we think, These things only happen to other people. I believe this is foolish thinking. Many years ago, I was in Mexico talking to a pastor that we were working with, and he told me, “Ten years ago a hurricane came through our area, and I simply wasn’t prepared. I wasn’t ready for what we experienced.” He told me, “There was no electricity, or running water for days, and we were in real trouble.” He ended our conversation with, “That will never happen again.” If you prepare financially and physically, this will also open door for you to help others in an emergency.
What does the Scripture say about being prepared? In Proverbs 6:6-9 it declares, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?” It appears from these verses that an ant sometimes is smarter than people. Solomon says again in Proverbs 27:12, “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished.” Solomon clearly teaches us that if you are a wise individual, you foresee that emergencies are going to come. But, will you be prepared for them? In addition, Proverbs 13:11 teaches, “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.” God here declares that gathering and preparation by your own labor is encouraged. Why? So, you don’t have to depend on a hand out from the government.
Pharaoh’s response to Joseph’s interpretation. Vs. 37-45
Scripture continues, “So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.’ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’ Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, ‘Bow the knee!’ So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, ‘I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.’ And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt” (Gen. 41:37-45).
Note that Pharaoh recognized the wisdom of Joseph’s counsel, and he acted upon the insight God gave him. Now if an unbeliever can recognize the wisdom of God’s counsel, so can anyone. Do you recognize godly counsel when you hear it? Can you recognize faulty and foolish counsel when you hear it? In your lifetime you will surely hear both. Recognizing godly counsel is a very important part of how you mature in your Christian life. Good counsel will cause you to succeed in life, and foolish counsel will bring you great heartache if you follow it. Solomon warned his son, “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel” (Prov. 1:5). Again, he wrote, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Prov. 12:15). Sadly, I have seen many in my years of ministry that have not heeded wise counsel, and they have reaped tremendous sorrow. You will never regret heeding the counsel of God’s Word!
God fulfills His Word. Vs. 46-57
“Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable. And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: ‘For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.’ And the name of the second he called Ephraim: ‘For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.’ Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.’ The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands” (Gen. 41:46-57).
Critics have doubted these biblical accounts of Joseph in Egypt for years, but archaeology continues to confirm Scripture’s historical accuracy. However, Joseph’s name was found on several coins in 2009 as archaeologists were sifting through material that had been stored for years in an Egyptian museum. Some of the coins had cows and green stalks of grain on them affirming Pharoah’s dreams, which also confirms the biblical text, and Joseph’s role in history. The researchers who have studied the coins say that the minting dates of the coins have been matched to the period in which Joseph was recorded to be in Egypt. One coin even bore the image of Joseph, and the declaration that he was the treasurer of Egypt.
Never doubt what the Bible teaches, or listen to its critics. For years the critics believed that Pontius Pilate never existed, because there was no record found anywhere with his name, except in the Bible. But these critics were wrong again, because in 1961 the Italian archaeologist Dr. Antonio Frova and his team came across what they called the “Pilate Stone.” This stone was found while excavating an ancient Roman theatre in Caesarea, Israel, which had been built by the decree of King Herod, around 10 BC. This stone carving was a dedication stone. The translation of what is left visible on the stone reads, “To the Divine Augusti [this] Tiberieum…… Pontius Pilate…… prefect of Judea…… has dedicated [this].”
For years critics have also questioned the fact of whether King David actually existed as the Bible clearly teaches. However, in 1993 the Tel Dan Stele was discovered by archeologists excavating at the ancient biblical city of Dan. – A stele is the archeological term for an upright monument drawing attention to a significant person, place or event. The Tel Dan Stele was used by an Aramaic King to boast about defeating King Jehoram of Israel who was of the “House of David.” The stele reads, “Ahaziahu son of Jehoram, king of the House of David.” The date on this stele is approximately 900 BCE. Therefore, trust archeology to always uncover the truth. Never bet against the authority and historicity of the Bible!
Trust God’s Word!
These archeological discoveries underscore the fact that when God’s Word speaks about historical people or events, the facts will always be seen to be accurate by the archeologists when they begin to dig in the ground. When God predicts the future, it will come to pass. When you trust God’s Word you will never be disappointed. Every prophecy and historical detail in Scripture prove that He is God, and He knows what He is talking about. These facts should give you great confidence in all of the other teachings of Scripture. This is why studying biblical prophecy and archeology is so vital to your faith. These facts provide some of the strongest proofs that the Bible is the Word of God, and that His promises are trustworthy. One of the most often repeated truths from God is, “The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying, ‘Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand’” (Is. 14:24). His Word is sure, and His Word shall withstand every critic, and test of time.
Joseph marries. Vs. 45; 50-53
An important postscript in this chapter is the fact that after Joseph was lifted from his prison cell he got married and began to have children. There are several important points that should be mentioned about Joseph’s marriage. The first is the fact that Joseph married a Gentile bride. Why is this an important fact? Because you must remember that I covered in an earlier chapter, that Joseph is an Old Testament type of Christ, which means that he prefigures the work of the Messiah. So just as Joseph was rejected by his Jewish family, and then started a new family with a Gentile bride, so Jesus would be rejected by the Jews, but then draw his own Gentile bride to Himself (Matt. 21:42-43; Matt. 22:1-10; Rev. 19:7).
The second thing that is important about Joseph’s new family are the names he gave to his children. Joseph’s first-born child he named Manasseh, which means to forget my toil. In those times, children were always named for a significant fact surrounding the birth, or a hope or desire they had for the child. So, Joseph was expressing the fact that God had brought him to a place in his life that he had forgotten his previous hard toil that resulted from the betrayals by his family and Potiphar’s wife. This is an important note. Why? Because there are many that have told me that they can never move on from the heartaches and betrayals that have occurred to them in their past. But it appears from Joseph’s perspective, he was able to move on from the grievous betrayals in his life. How was Joseph able to move forward, and do others not? I believe that Joseph was able to move forward because he was ready and willing to truly forgive all those who had betrayed him. He put their offenses behind him. How was he able to forgive so completely? Because he truly trusted God, because he knew that God was working out a far better plan for him than he could ever imagine. Later in Genesis Joseph will say to his brothers, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Gen. 50:20). This perspective is essential for every single one of our lives! God wants us to see God’s sovereign hand over our lives, and forgive. Forgiveness will enable us to put behind us all of the hard toil, and let go of the hurtful betrayals that we have experienced in our lives, and truly move on. This is the only way any believer can truly go forward in our lives after such sorrow and treacheries that befall you. Unless you do, you can forget true growth and maturity in your Christian life. Remember that Jesus gave us all this command to His disciples. “Whenever you stand praying, if you have against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25-26).
But forgiving does not mean that this erases your memory bank from what has been done to you. Forgiving and forgetting are both choices of the heart and mind. Paul explained this truth when he wrote the Philippian church and said, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). The Greek word forgetting in these verses means to choose to neglect or to conscientiously put out of your mind. This word is also in the present tense, which means that Paul did this continually in his mind. In other words, this is what Paul did continually in his mind when the thoughts of the way he had been treated came into his mind. Remember, Paul had been falsely charged by the Jews of blasphemy and sedition, when in reality he had done nothing wrong, and then spent 4 years in prison. This choice to forgive and put out of your mind must sometimes be made multiple times a day. If you don’t, you will be drawn back into your angry and resentful attitude.
Now I’m sure you have heard the phrase, “When God forgives, He forgets.” But this statement is not biblically correct. God is omniscient and knows all things from eternity past, to all that eternity hold in the future. So, God cannot forget anything, because remembers all things. But what does it mean when God says, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins” (Is. 43:25). The word remember in this verse means to not recount or to mention again. What a glorious promise is that! When God forgives you, He will never mention your sins against you again. Why? God doesn’t forget your sins; He simply chooses not to ever throw your sins up in your face ever again. Only Satan, the accuser of the brethren, will do that (Rev. 12:10)! Praise God for His glorious grace toward us.
The birth of Joseph’s second son.
Joseph’s second son was named Ephriam, which means double fruitfulness. This child seems to remind Joseph of the double blessing that he has now received by this second birth. Joseph had received double the pain in his life, by first being sold into slavery by his brothers, and then the doubling of this pain after Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of rape.
Can the Lord take double the pain in a person’s life and turn it around to become double the blessing? Yes! How does a double blessing come upon Joseph? By his simply continuing to trust God and walk in faith no matter what happened to him. Joseph abode in a simple trust and obedience to God. This is always how God brings fruitfulness out of the destruction that has taken place in our lives. Jesus taught the disciples that they must simply abide in their faith and obedience to Him, and He promised that He would bring forth abundant fruit from our lives. Jesus taught, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5). Remember that abiding is a choice you make each day. If someone chooses to not abide in Jesus, that is their decision. This is why Jesus said in the very next verses, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:6-7). Abiding in Jesus is the only way He takes what we have done with our lives, and turns it into fruitfulness. He can take what is spoiled and good for nothing, and turn it into something good. That is His ability. Therefore, let His Words abide in you, and obey Him as Joseph did. Don’t let the betrayal of others move you to bitterness and disobedience. Trust His Word toward you, and He will bring forth the fruitfulness that you long for! Remember, God is always at work, preparing you for what lies ahead. Trust Him, abide in Him, and allow Him to turn your pain into a testimony of His grace! It won’t happen overnight. It took 13 years in prison, 7 years of plenty in Egypt, and another 7 years of famine until the complete fulfillment of Joseph’s dreams came to pass. But God’s Word did come to pass!