January 15 – Genesis 40-41/Genesis 35:28-29: Following an offense to Pharaoh, his chief cup-bearer and baker landed in prison under Joseph’s supervision. Joseph interpreted their dreams accurately—the chief cup-bearer returned to his position in Pharaoh’s court and the chief baker endured tormenting until his to death.
Jacob and Esau bury their father, Isaac. Jacob lost his son and father within a short span of time.
Magicians or wise men of Egypt lacked any interpretations of Pharaoh’s disturbing dreams. The cup-bearer remembered the Hebrew man who interpreted his dream, along with the chief baker’s dream, and their accurate predictions. Immediately, Pharaoh prepared Joseph to meet with him planning for his dreams’ interpretations. Joseph said, “It is beyond my power to do this, but God can tell you what it means….”
Pharaoh heard the interpretation to his dreams – seven years of prosperity and seven years of famine. Pharaoh set out to search for a man filled with the spirit of God to plan for the years ahead. He ended with Joseph as the one in charge. Only Pharaoh ranked higher than Joseph.
Pharaoh clothed Joseph, gave him a new ride (a chariot) and renamed him Zaphenath-paneah, meaning “God speaks and lives.” Pharoah also gave “God speaks and lives” a new wife. His wife birthed two sons. The first son, Manasseh, meaning, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my family.” The second son, Ephraim, meaning, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my grief.” As the famine spread into Egypt, Joseph sold the stored grain, which he prepared as Pharaoh’s second in command.
My Nourishment: “When we wait, God acts, and when we act, God waits,” said the late Jack Frost. Though Joseph suffered abandonment by his brothers, by Potiphar, and by Potiphar’s wife, he waited. While he waited, he gained favor from God and man. His gift to interpret dreams prompted Joseph to honor the Lord for the wisdom for the interpretation. He declared, “It is beyond my power, but God….” Then Pharaoh declares, “God speaks and lives” as Joseph’s new name.
Lord, I pray that I wait on you and not get ahead of you at work in my life and for my life. When I wait, you place people in positions that honor you. When I wait, I gain your favor. I truly say, today, some things lie “beyond my power, but God.” Three people in my life, need your healing. It is beyond my power, but God. I ask, “God speak and live” in and through these loved ones.
Lord, I thank you that you continue to speak to us in dreams. I pray that I realize those dreams and allow you to use them.
As Pharaoh recognized and renamed Joseph to “God speaks and lives,” I pray, today, “speak and live” in and through me, in ways for others to see and hear the love of God.
What lies “beyond my power” today in my life, that I may say, but God?
In what area of my life might I say, “God speaks and lives,” and watch Him at work, as I wait?
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