© Duplication and distribution of these readings is encouraged.

Internet: http://NonConformist.MyChurch.com

Genesis 40:

Reading #146  Lights of the world

Hi everyone, we were looking at a Christian and his problem last week.  Let's see what happened to him.

The sudden humiliating move from the position of a trusted, honoured servant to that of a condemned criminal, would have overwhelmed Joseph had not the word of the LORD upheld him. But his confidence in God was unshaken and the love of God kept his soul in perfect peace.  Psalm 119:165.  Heaven was very near the fertile valley of Egypt at that time, for there was a man who kept the ways of the LORD, something that is not very common.  How uncommon it is is revealed in the following words which tell us how God often works.

***************(Begin Quote)

Job 33:

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction [teaches them what to do that day], 17 that He may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keeps back his soul from the pit [of the grave in dying prematurely], and his life from perishing by the sword [in violence].

19 [But] he is [often] chastened also with pain upon his bed [in sickness], and the multitude of his bones with strong pain [as a result of sin]: 20 so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty meat [he rejects food]. 21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yes, his soul draws near to the grave, and his life to [into the hands of] the destroyers [who are against God].

23  [Then] if there be a messenger with Him, an interpreter [of God’s way], one among a thousand [professed followers], to show to man His uprightness [they are hard to find]: 24 then He is gracious to him, and says, “Deliver him from going down to the pit: [tell him] I have found a Ransom.” [In Job’s case, it was Elihu whom God could use.  Job 32:1-6. ]

25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's [he will get well]: he shall return to the days of his youth: 26 he shall pray to God, and He will [be able to] be favourable to him: and he shall see His face with joy: for He will render [give] to man His righteousness.

27 He looks upon men, and if any say, “I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not [truly repents]”; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. 

29 Lo, all these things works God oftentimes with man, 30 to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

***************(End Quote)

The following words applied to Joseph at that time.

***************(Begin Quote)

Matthew 5:

11 “Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven [and sometimes on earth]: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

13 “You are the salt of the earth [a preserving agent for unbelievers]: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted?  It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel [a basket], but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” [See Romans 10:9-10.] 

***************(End Quote)

Jesus did not bid the disciples, “Strive to make your light shine;” He said, “Let it shine.” If Christ is dwelling in the heart, it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence. If those who profess to be followers of Christ are not the light of the world, it is because the vital power has left them; if they have no light to give, it is because they have no connection with the Source of light.

In all ages the “Spirit of Christ which was in them” has made God's true children the light of the people of their generation.  1 Peter 1:11.  Joseph was a light bearer in Egypt. In his purity and benevolence and family love he represented Christ in the midst of a nation of idolaters.

The presence of Jesus was with him in prison, instructing, strengthening, and sustaining his mind and soul, that the light of heaven might shine forth.  Matthew 28:20.

Joseph had been tested by parental fondness and partiality; by the enmity, envy, and hatred of his brothers; by the esteem and confidence of his master; and by his high position of honour. He was tried by the seductions of a woman's charms, by the flattery of her lips and her lawless love. But the steadfast virtue of Joseph would not permit him to listen to the voice of the tempter. The law of the LORD was his delight, and he would not depart from its precepts. In his life the light of heaven shone forth in clear and distinct rays.

After about a year in prison…

***************(Begin Quote)

Genesis 40:

1 And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. 3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. 4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served [looked after] them: and they continued a season in ward. 

5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison. 6 And Joseph came in to them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. 7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, “Why look you so sad today?” 8 And they said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.”  And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?  Tell me them, I pray you [and I’ll ask God for you].”

9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; 10 and in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes [it was a living plant]: 11 and Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.” [The chief butler was also the wine-taster, to protect the king against poison.]

12 And Joseph said to him [after receiving the answer from the Spirit], “This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: 13 yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up your head [release you], and restore you to your place: and you shall deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when you were his butler.

14 But think on me when it shall be well with you, and show kindness, I pray you, to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: 15 for indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.” [A little bit of self-help!]

***************(End Quote)

Now Joseph saw a reason for being in prison, but thought also that his time was surely up.  The king's cupbearer had professed the deepest gratitude to Joseph, both for the cheering interpretation of his dream and for many acts of kind attention; and in return Joseph, referring in a most touching manner to his own unjust captivity, pleaded that his case be brought before the king, not realising that this was part of a battle between Christ and Satan.

The chief butler saw the dream fulfilled in every particular; but when restored to royal favour, under the influence of Satan he thought no more of his benefactor. For two years longer Joseph remained a prisoner. The hope that had been kindled in his heart gradually died out, and to all the other trials was added the bitter sting of ingratitude.  How easily he could have given up!  Being forgetful of blessings received is regarded by the LORD as among the most aggravating of sins, and yet, although abhorred by God and man it happens often.

***************(Begin Quote)

Genesis 40:

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation [for the butler] was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and, behold, I had three white baskets on my head: 17 and in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.” 18 And Joseph answered and said, “This is the interpretation thereof: The three baskets are three days: 19 yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up your head from off you, and shall hang you on a tree; and the birds shall eat your flesh from off you.”

20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast to all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 21 And he restored the chief butler to his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: 22 but he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him.

***************(End Quote)

In early life, just as they were passing from teenage to manhood, both Joseph and Daniel were separated from their homes and carried as captives to heathen lands, one to atheism and the other to false religion.  They were such good followers of God’s way that Satan attacked them early.  Like their Saviour, they lived their Christian lives under great threat.  Unlike Him, occasionally they chose to sin and through lack of protection ended up in hard times. But basically they lived a “normal” Christian life as men see it.  In this way they became co-saviours of the worlds they lived in, partial fulfillers of the promise of Genesis 3:15.  See Nehemiah 9:27 and Obadiah 1:22.

Neither returned to the land of their fathers alive. 

Especially was Joseph subject to the temptations that attend great changes of fortune. In his father's home he was a tenderly cherished child; in the house of Potiphar a slave, then a confidant and companion.  Under the daily guidance of the Spirit he became a man of affairs, educated by study, observation, and contact with men.  Then he was plunged into Pharaoh's dungeon as a prisoner of state, condemned unjustly, without hope of vindication or prospect of release. He had not sinned with Potiphar’s wife but other lapses had accounted for this.  Finally he was called at a great crisis to the leadership of the greatest nation on earth - what enabled him to preserve his integrity during all these changes?

Loyalty to the Son of God, faith in the Unseen, was Joseph's anchor. In this lay the source of his power, as with Moses.  See Hebrews 11:27.

By their wisdom and justice, by the purity and benevolence of their daily life, by their devotion to the interests of the people (and they idolaters and rejecters) Joseph and Daniel proved themselves true to the principles of their early training, true to Him whose representative they were and a picture of what all Christians should be (except the chains of course!  Acts 26:29.)

What a lifework was that of these noble Hebrews!  The same mighty truths that were revealed through these men, God desires to reveal through the youth and the children (and the oldies) of today. The histories of Joseph and Daniel are an illustration of what He will do for those who yield themselves to Him and with their whole heart seek to accomplish His purpose.  Mark 12:33.

The lessons given to Joseph in his youth by Jacob when he expressed his firm trust in God and related to him again and again the precious evidences of His loving-kindness and unceasing care were the very lessons he needed in his exile among an idolatrous people. In the testing time he put these lessons to a practical use. Our personal experiences with God are what we should teach our children.

When under the severest trial he looked to his heavenly Father, whom he had learned to trust. However, had the precepts and example of his earthly father been of an opposite character, the pen of inspiration would never have been able to trace upon the pages of sacred history the story of integrity and virtue that shines forth in the character of Joseph. The early impressions made upon his mind strengthened his heart in the hour of fierce temptation and led him to exclaim, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

It is a sad fact that any weakness and indecision on the part of parents is quickly seen by the children, and the tempter then works upon their minds, leading them to persist in following their inclination.  However, those sins of the parents that are recognised and then repented of, and explained to the children, become great weapons for God.

If parents would cultivate the qualities necessary for them to use in the proper training of their children, if they would plainly lay before the children the rules they must follow, and not suffer these rules to be broken, the LORD would be able to co-operate with and bless both parents and children more easily. 

At a very early age children become susceptible to demoralizing influences, but parents who profess to be Christians do not seem to discern the evil of their own course of management. Oh, that they might realize that the bias which is given to a child in its earliest years (from birth to 5 years old) gives a tendency to character and shapes the destiny either for eternal life or eternal death!  See 1 Corinthians 7:14.  Children are also susceptible to good moral and spiritual impressions, and those who are wisely trained in childhood may be erring at times, but they will not go far astray as God promises us.  Proverbs 22:6.  When the time comes they will choose God’s way.  See Hebrews 11:24-26.

Back next week? 

Bye, 

RonP

On to next reading                                  Back to previous reading