Chapter 4 - Joseph's Favor

Fact:  Over the course of a year, 13.5 million people spend time in prison or jail in the United States.

A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb,

but to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

                                                                                                            - PROVERBS 27:7

As iron sharpens iron,

so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.   
                                                                                                           - PROVERBS 27:17

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

As inmates sit in prisons and county jails around the country, they have an incredible amount of idle time on their hands.  They each have time to reflect on their past decisions that lead to their incarceration.  There are consequences for the decisions we make in our lives and it only takes one bad one to end up in an orange jump suit and sandals.  Remember the saying “You do the crime, you pay the time?”  My question is: what is being done with that time?  What would happen if that time was used to find Christ for the first time or to rediscover the personal relationship with Him they once enjoyed?  Two words that come to mind are “life changing.”

    During a recent visit to the county jail, I was taken up to the 3^rd floor where 3 out of 104 inmates came out to hear God’s Word.  Two of the inmates were under 20 years old while the other was under thirty.  They could easily have stayed in their bunks like the others but consciously decided to spend time learning God’s Word.  Both young men under 20 years old rededicated their lives to Christ during the visit that morning.  One of the young men had tears in his eyes as he told me how disappointed he was in falling away from God.

    It is always exciting to see someone rededicate their life to Christ.  During the past five years of visiting the county jail, I have never met an inmate that was in jail because he was being obedient to Christ.  Instead of walking towards Christ, our sinful nature tries to push us in the opposite direction.  Responsibility for one’s actions is sometimes debated, but each of us is ultimately responsible for our own happiness, possessions, time, success, health, habits and attitude.  Clarity for personal responsibility comes through being obedient to God’s Word.   

Deuteronomy 13:4 is a wonderful reminder of ways to be obedient to Christ.  It says “You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice, you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.” If an inmate were to hide that verse in their heart and commit their life to being obedient to God, I just don’t see how it is possible for their life to not be transformed and radically changed.  Obedience turns our thoughts of self to others first.

A DIVINE APPOINTMENT ON THE FIFTH FLOOR

           

If there was ever a person who was obedient to God in the Bible, the story of Joseph and God’s favor in his life comes to mind.  One Saturday morning I shared Joseph’s story with the inmates on the fifth floor.  Unlike the other floors, the inmates have special privileges on that floor.  Instead of being separated by bars during the visitation, the inmates are locked in a sitting room with the jail ministry volunteer.  Little could prepare me for what God would reveal to me at the end of the visit. 

God’s favor in Joseph’s life has always been very visible to me.  I believe a parallel can be drawn between his obedience to God and the favor he received from God in his interaction with others.  Joseph was the favorite son of Jacob, evidenced by the fact that Jacob made a coat of many colors for him.  This put him on rocky ground with his brothers.  When Joseph started sharing his dreams of greatness with his family, it was enough to make his brothers want to transport him to a far away galaxy.  They had to settle on selling him into slavery instead.

Once sold by the Midianites in Egypt, Joseph found immediate favor from his owner, Potiphar, who was an “officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard” (Genesis 37:16).  In Genesis 39:3 it says “his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.”  Joseph had obtained so much favor from his master that everything had been put under his authority to the point that Potiphar “did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate” (Genesis 39:6).

You might be saying this is all fine and dandy with the favor but show me where he displays his obedience to God.  I was just about to get to that very point.  You see, the Bible says Joseph was a handsome man.  With Potiphar gone all day at work, the house was occupied by Joseph and Potiphar’s wife.  Her attraction to him was evident because the Bible says “she cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, Lie with me” (Genesis 39:7).  Joseph absolutely refused to do such a thing because of the immense privilege that had been allotted to him by his master as overseer of the entire household.  Potiphar had kept nothing away from him, except his wife, and Joseph ultimately tells her “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9).  Joseph acknowledged that committing such an act would not only display disobedience to his earthly master but would also be sinning against God.

Potiphar’s wife was persistent in trying to seduce Joseph and eventually caught him at home all alone.  In Genesis 39:12 it says “she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.”  What Joseph did next is a great example to all of us when being tempted by sin in any form.  The Bible says Joseph “left his garment in her hand and fled outside” (Genesis 39:12).  Instead of running towards sin, we should run in the opposite direction!  As you travel down your life’s path, if an uncomfortable situation unfolds that could lead to disobedience to God, look for the nearest exit instead of contemplating a potentially bad decision.

Joseph’s decision to flee resulted in him being accused of taking advantage of Potiphar’s wife and then being sent to jail.  Even though he was sent to jail, Joseph was once again provided with a healthy dose of God’s favor.  Genesis 39:21 says “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”  Joseph had received so much favor that “the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison” (Genesis 39:22).  To put this favor in perspective, let’s imagine for a moment if this were to happen today.  An inmate at the county jail is given responsibility for all the other inmates to the point that nothing under his authority is looked into or questioned.  Whatever decisions are made, the Lord makes them prosper.  No riots, no fights and no complaints that need to be directed to a higher level of authority.  It is truly amazing and remarkable!

One of the things I have always admired about Joseph is the fact that he never complains about his situation.  An example of this can be found when the chief butler and chief baker were thrown into jail for offending the king of Egypt.  The wheels were being set in motion by God for greater things to come with both men having strange dreams that they did not understand.  God gave Joseph the ability to successfully interpret each man’s dreams.  All that Joseph asked in return from the chief butler can be found in Genesis 40:14 when he said “But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house.”

Although the chief butler was released from prison and was restored to his position, he failed to remember Joseph.  The Bible says “at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream” (Genesis 41:1).  Joseph sat in prison for a full two years after interpreting the butler and baker’s dreams.  Again it is encouraging to me that no where does it say he complained during those two years.  Was he frustrated about his situation?  I’m sure he thought about his predicament every day.  The key is that he had an incredible amount of trust in the God he worshipped and he placed his life in the Lord’s hands.

Every time I read Proverbs 3:5-6 that says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths,” I think about Joseph.

     God’s favor in Joseph’s life was displayed again shortly after Pharaoh had his dreams.  Pharaoh gathered together all his wise men for his dream to be interpreted but none were successful.  The chief butler suddenly remembered how Joseph had successfully interpreted his dream more than two years earlier.  The next thing that happens always puts a smile on my face because it reminds me of how God is capable of doing amazing things in our lives.  In Genesis 41:14 it says “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.”  Joseph was going to be given the opportunity to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. 

    Let us never forget that when God decides to move in our lives, He can do it as swiftly as He did for Joseph or He may also work slowly as He helps us develop other aspects of our Christian lives.  It says “they brought him quickly.”  They did not delay or waste any time in getting him out of the dungeon.  Not only was Joseph summoned but he was also allowed to clean himself up by shaving and getting a change of clothing.  There was still one thing that needed to be accomplished.  Joseph needed to capitalize on his opportunity.

    When Pharaoh got to meet Joseph face to face he told him he had a dream and heard Joseph was able to understand and interpret them.  Joseph was so solid in his faith he was not ashamed or afraid to say “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”  Even though he was locked up for over two years, his faith and dependence on God was stronger than ever. 

   Joseph was given an opportunity by God to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams.  The outcome of that opportunity was up to him.  Would he depend on God to provide an answer or simply fold under the pressure?  If he folded, the story would end here and he would have most likely gone back to prison for the rest of his life.  Instead, Joseph decided to rely solely on God for the answer and once again God’s favor interceded on his behalf with Pharaoh.

    Joseph successfully interpreted the dream and Pharaoh was blown away by his advice.  The dreams had to do with seven years of plenty and seven years of famine.  Through God’s divine wisdom and knowledge, Joseph laid out this very plan in Genesis 41:33-36.         

“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” (Genesis 41:33-36).

After this plan is laid out by Joseph, Pharaoh says these words to his servants “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God? (Genesis 41:38).  What an incredible compliment!  The King of Egypt recognizes God’s presence in Joseph through his reliance on God to provide an answer to Pharaoh’s dreams.  The King goes on to tell Joseph “there is no one as discerning and wise as you” (Genesis 41:39).  This immeasurable amount of favor for this former confined inmate catapults Joseph from the prison to the palace in the blink of an eye.  Pharaoh tells Joseph, “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” (Genesis 41:40).  That is what I call extreme favor!

After Pharaoh made the decision to make Joseph second in command over all of Egypt, Joseph got married and began his task of preparing Egypt for the inevitable famine.  During the seven years of plenty the Bible says, “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 (Genesis 41:48).  So much grain was gathered and stored during this time it was said to be “as the sand of the sea” (Genesis 41:49).

After the seven years of plenty ended and the seven years of famine struck the land, Egypt was well positioned to endure the difficult years.  They had stored so much grain they were not only able to provide for their people but also for the surrounding countries.  People came from long distances to purchase grain and one day, Joseph came face to face with his brothers that had sold him into slavery. 

     There is a reason Joseph had received so much favor in his life from God.  I believe it is because he had a heart for God and was willing to be obedient regardless of what life threw his way.  In Genesis 45:5-8 Joseph reveals himself to his brothers for the first time after putting them through several tests.  Here is what he tells them.

“But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.  For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.  And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.  So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 45:5-8).

Joseph is so in tune with God working in his life he recognizes that his brothers are not to blame for him being sold into slavery.  In Genesis 50:20 Joseph tells his brothers, “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”  The dreams he shared with his family as a teenager were being fulfilled before his very eyes.  God sent him to “preserve life.”  He then tells his brothers to immediately go and get their father and families to come dwell in the land of Goshen.  Do you know what I call that?  I call it being faithful with what you have been given and sharing it with others.  I call it loving your brothers as yourself and ultimately keeping God first in your life.

We all have the opportunity everyday to be a strong witness for Christ just as the life of Joseph illustrates.  Let us move forward every day being obedient to His will, His Word and relying on His strength.  Your eyes will be opened to the surrounding favor in your life and knowing God is in control will impact how you react to trials and tribulations.        

    As I shared the story of Joseph with the inmates, I noticed that one of the men was falling asleep and his head was bobbing back and forth.  During the end of sharing Joseph’s story, something seemed to get his attention.  As the visit was coming to a close and prior to saying the closing prayer, the inmate shared something very inspiring with the group.  He said the devil was trying to give him every excuse in the world to not get out of his bunk to come to “the lesson” that morning.  As he was lying there, he felt overwhelmed by the feeling that God wanted him to be present for the visit.  He felt there would be a special message especially for him.  Something that would stoke the fire in his soul to combat complacency and encourage him to start running the race in such a way that he would win.  I suddenly put two and two together and remembered he said his name was Joseph.  It was a moment I will always marvel at and cherish.

This visit reminds me of how precious we are in the eyes of our Creator.  Psalm 40:5 says “Many, O Lord my God, are your wonderful works which you have done; and Your thoughts towards us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”  I cannot wrap my head around so many thoughts that numbering them would be useless and overwhelming.  Let us never forget that this verse not only applies to those that are free, but also to those behind bars.  That morning I witnessed a message from God’s Word that was specifically targeted to an inmate.  I had no idea which floor I would end up on; however, God knew exactly where I needed to be.  To God be the glory and honor!

Obedience to God will lead to His favor in your life, but that favor doesn’t mean you will live a life that is free of problems and disappointments.  Obviously, Joseph had problems!  He was sold by his own family and thrown into jail.  However, God used those circumstances as part of His greater plan for Joseph’s life.

My prayer is for you to remain obedient to God no matter what you are going through in your life.  Always remember Romans 8:28 that says, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God.”

     Discussion Questions

1)   Do you believe you are ultimately responsible for your own happiness, possessions, time, success, health, habits and attitude?  If you said yes, how can knowing that be a driving force in your life?

2)   Does Deuteronomy 13:4 remind you of ways to be obedient to Christ?  What areas need some improvement?

3)   Like Potiphar’s initial assessment of Joseph, do others see the Lord working in your life?  If not, what do others see when they view your life?

4)   When Joseph was caught by Potiphar’s wife he “left his garment in her hand and fled outside” (Genesis 39:12).  Does that encourage you to run away from sin instead of being attracted to it?

5)   Have you come to a point in your Christian walk where you trust God and willingly place your life in His hands?  How does Proverbs 3:5-6 speak to your soul?

6)   Does knowing that God is in control help you react differently to trials and tribulations?  Have you ever asked yourself “What is God trying to teach me through this storm”?