đź”° GOD EXALTED JOSEPH GREATLY đź”°
❇️ 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.” (Genesis 41:42-44).
🔹 Pharaoh had two disturbing dreams. Pharaoh called all the magicians and wise men of Egypt and told them his dream. But no one could tell Pharaoh what it meant. Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer told Pharaoh about Joseph, who had told him the correct interpretation of his dream while he was in prison. Pharaoh ordered Joseph to be brought out of prison. Joseph was brought out quickly. This was God’s time to release Joseph from prison, so everything happened quickly. Often, we think we have to wait a long time. But God never delays unnecessarily. Whatever He does, He does it for our good. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
🔹 When Pharaoh asked Joseph about his ability to interpret dreams, he had an opportunity to glorify himself. But he humbled himself and glorified God by declaring that only God could interpret dreams. Pharaoh told Joseph his dreams. God gave him wisdom not only to interpret the dreams but also to advise him on what to do in the future.
🔹 Joseph told Pharaoh that his two dreams were the same and that God had revealed to him what would soon happen. There would be seven years of great abundance throughout the land of Egypt. Then there would be seven years of famine. Then all the abundance in Egypt would be forgotten. Joseph suggested what to do in the coming years and that Pharaoh should appoint a wise and discreet man over Egypt to manage the approaching crisis.
🔹 Pharaoh realized that Joseph was not only able to interpret dreams correctly but also to give sound advice in accordance with the message from heaven. So he declared that Joseph was a man with the Spirit of God. The character and humility of those who have the Holy Spirit will reveal that they are anointed. So Pharaoh decided to appoint Joseph as governor of Egypt.
🔹 Pharaoh announced the following:
▪️ Joseph would be in charge of Pharaoh’s palace.
▪️ All the people would obey Joseph’s orders.
▪️ Pharaoh would only be greater than Joseph when sitting on the throne.
▪️ Joseph would be in charge of the entire nation of Egypt.
🔹 As a symbol of his authority, Joseph was given Pharaoh’s signet ring, fine garments, and a gold chain. He was given Pharaoh’s second chariot. And people were commanded to bow down before him wherever he went. What a great exaltation! Joseph was not exalted overnight. In fact, it took him 13 difficult years to rise from the pit to the peak. God exalted Joseph to this extent because of his faith, holiness, integrity, humility, and perseverance.
đź”» Let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God so that He may exalt us in due time.