Thursday, January 14, 2010
January 14 ... Genesis 41 - 42 "Double in Land of Sorrows"
Genesis 41:57 - How did Joseph go from such an arrogant twenty-something to a humble thirty-something? When he interpreted Pharaoh's dream with God's help, and told the Head Ruler to look for someone wise and experienced. I wonder if he had any thoughts that were screaming in his head----Pick Me! Gen 41:57 says that "the whole world came to buy supplies during the famine." Talk about success! How would you feel to be in that position. For being such a young guy, God must have got hold of Joseph in those prison years to rid him of living for ambition. So impressed with what God did with this guy. And there's a window to Joseph's soul when he names his two boys: Manasseh meaning FORGET my hardships and my home. I looked up the Hebrew word for "forget" and it means God allowed him to forget. God put a wager on it that He would forget about those hard days in pits and prisons. It's an active present verb. It happened---he forgot the horror. But how I love Ephraim's name meaning "double prosperity." "God has prospered me in the land of my sorrow." I love it that Joseph didn't make it look better than it was---it was very sorrow-filled what happened to him. He didn't minimize it and say God is good all the time. He lived in his sorrow and watched God prosper Him. Oh, that I might learn a tad more what that means to embrace my sorrows and let God do His perfect work. And if it's double prosperity, praise God! That's up to Him! I just want to live well in the land of my sorrows which are many right now. I'm a bit nostalgic and evaluative in watching my oldest child marry his college sweetheart this week. And I'm in awe of a Beautiful God Who has given me so much in the land of my own sorrows. Wow. This thought of living well in the land of our sorrows really touches deep places in me. Wonder what it will look like to live that out? No formulas in the land of sorrows but there is God's Hand stretching out inviting us all to more. My prayer is that we all find "more" today. May He give you double for your sins as you repent---that's Isaiah 40:2.
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I found that name for his second son held the most meaning for me this day. God prospering us in the land of our sorrows...and how that looks, not having any formulas is a good piece of advice, too, Bev.
ReplyDeleteThe truth in his words, acknowledging God always first, acknowledging his sorrow as well, Joseph has endeared himself to me in his character, his honesty, and his victories in the midst of years of loneliness & darkness, forgotten by everyone but God. I wonder if he cried more for his loss or the fact that his brothers remembered.
I wonder...
ReplyDeleteHow many times can I say "land of my sorrows" in one paragraph. That so spoke to me! I've been singing a song all day and I don't know who or what---"YOU made me fruitful in the land of my suffering..." Do you know it? That's all I can recall.
Found the song, but I didn't know it and had to go listen to it! It's Matt Redman http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics/so-beautiful/beautiful03765.htm
ReplyDeleteI listened to that song on Matt Redman's myspace. Perfect for this time in my life and in Joseph's life.
ReplyDeleteNow we are getting to the point for all of this horrific suffering Joseph has been through!
Aren't you glad that there is a REASON behind this? I am. I would hate to think that this was another "JOB" thing (a test) where satan wanted to get JOSEPH to curse God like he wanted JOB to do.
This is about a dire FAMINE coming and the providence for God's people to survive this famine.
This verse says it all:
"As the country is emptied by famine, there won't be even a scrap left of the previous plenty—the famine will be total."
I am so thankful that Joseph obediently followed God in this land of suffering. He didn't have to follow. He could have chosen to fight God every inch of the way. Or He could have given up and just had the biggest pity party know to mankind.
Or he could have chosen to blame God and turn his back on God.
Man, this speaks to me. I've had some rough things happen in my life in the past 6 years. But I have stayed faithful to God and did my best to allow Him to BE God in my life. I have never blamed Him for the sorrows of my life. But I have doubted myself. Did I cause this? I have not been condemned by God one time. In fact, during this wilderness time of great sorrow, He has been so tender and loving towards me. I know what I'm going through will reap a huge harvest. God has shown me that. But I have to be faithful to Him and let Him work in my situation as I obey Him.
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10a.
We must all do what Christ commanded his disciples to do:
"Follow me."