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Learn to live on the divine time-table
It is important for us to remember that when God gives a revelation, he does not always give us a copy of the divine time-table. There are details in the divine plan that, sometimes, need to be developed on the personal level. Training and experiences that make up life are often the crucible that can temper the life of the individual for the divinely designed task. Joseph had two dreams. Genesis 37:6-9. As the result of his relating his dreams, his brothers "hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words." Genesis 37:8c. We are further told, "his brethren envied him..." Genesis 37:11. These feelings of animosity led them to selling "Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver..." Genesis 37:28c. When the merchantmen arrived in Egypt they, "sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's and captain of the guard." Genesis 37:36. While Joseph served in the house of Potiphar, he was the "overseer over his house." Genesis 39:4. The wife of Potiphar was the cause of this young man being cast into prison. Genesis 39:7-20. However, the time that Joseph spent as the overseer in the household gave him experience in management that would have been difficult to have obtained in the house of his father. When he was cast into prison, "the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keep of the prison." Genesis 39:21. This slave prisoner was placed in a position of great responsibility, even in this lessthan desirable place. Genesis 39:22,23. The fact that he was doing someone else's work did not change the situation that allowed him to learn, even under these difficult circumstances, as he continued to rely upon God. Joseph had been 17 years old (Genesis 37:2) when he made that fateful trip to the grazing site that his brothers had found. When he was called before Pharaoh to interpret the two dreams, he was 30 years old. Genesis 41:46. Thus, the 13 years of preparation were not wasted. God had a plan that was unfolding, and this young man was playing a major role, even though he was completely unaware of this fact. After Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh, he was elevated from prisoner to government official. Pharaoh "set him over all the land of Egypt. And...took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a chain of gold about his neck ... and ... made him to ride in the second chariot ... he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt." Genesis 41:41-43. As ruler, the son of Jacob was in charge of gathering the grain of the seven years of plenty, and storing this food for the coming seven years of famine. Genesis 41:47-49. Thus, the administrative skills that Joseph had developed became the tools that would save many people from starvation. This famine was widespread - "and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread." Genesis 41:54b. We are told that "all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands." Genesis 41:57. Jacob, the father of Joseph, "saw that there was corn in Egypt." Genesis 42:1a. He sent "Joseph's 10 brethren ... to buy corn in Egypt." Genesis 42:3. We are told that "Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him." Genesis 42:4. These 10 brothers made the journey into Egypt. We are told that "Joseph was the governor over the land, and it was he that sold to all the people of the land; and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth." Genesis 42:6. Joseph had changed in appearance in the 13 years that had lapsed since his original sale. "And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them..." Genesis 42:7a. He questioned, "Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food." Genesis 42:7b. Then, Joseph accused them of being spies. Genesis 42:9. These men explained their situation (Genesis 42:10- 13), and he put them in prison for three days (Genesis 42:17). When they promised to bring the younger brother on their next trip, he sent them away with the needed provisions, while Simeon remained in prison. Genesis 42:21-25. Their money was returned to them, being placed in the sacks with the grain. Genesis 42:25-38. The famine continued. Genesis 43:1. "And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food." Genesis 43:2. Judah reminded their father of the conditions that had been stated by "the man." Genesis 43:3-7. Judah, then told his father, "I will be surely for him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame forever." Genesis 43:9. He reminded his father, "For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned the second time." Genesis 43:10. Finally, Jacob consented for Benjamin to make the trip with his brothers. Jacob insisted that they take a present to "the man," with double the amount of money that was needed. Genesis 43:11-12. This time they left with a prayer. "And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin." Genesis 43:14. When they arrived in Egypt, "Joseph saw Benjamin with them," and arranged for them to have a meal at his royal house. Genesis 43:16. Upon arrival at the house, they explained to the steward the situation that they had found on their first journey. Genesis 43:17-23. Joseph questioned these men concerning his father. Genesis 43:27,28. These men wondered at the seating arrangement. Genesis 43:33. They were sold the grain that had been the object of the journey. However, the cup that Joseph used was placed in the sack of grain that belonged to Benjamin. Genesis 44:12. This act of theft was a very serious crime. The group returned to "the man." Judah made a plea on behalf of Benjamin. Genesis 44:18-34. At hearing the plea of Judah, Joseph "could not refrain himself." Genesis 45:1a. After sending all of the attendants out of the room, "Joseph made himself known unto his brethren." Genesis 45:1b,c. "And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at this presence." Genesis 45:3b. Finally, they were convinced of his identity. Genesis 45:4a. He told them, "Now therefore be not grieved nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life." Genesis 45:5.
Can we see the hand of God in the difficulties of our lives? We need to understand the constancy of God. Malachi 3:6; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:8. God is working "his plan" in your life.
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