Grace For Unusual Lifting Part 3.

There are a number of things that were in the heart of Joseph that had been waiting for some answers, but due to the sensitive nature of what he was dealing with, he was not able to get answers directly. One of those things was: Is my father still alive after all these years? That was why once he revealed to them who he was, he went on to ask that very important question. So in verse 3 he said quickly,

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless, for they were stunned and dismayed by [the fact that they were in] Joseph’s presence.”

The question was so important to Joesph, but the people from whom he expected an answer were too amazed and seriously shocked that this question and the reality of this answer would reveal far much more than what they actually expected. That is the reason why they “…were speechless, for they were stunned and dismayed by [the fact that they were in] Joseph’s presence.” It was true that this question needed some urgent answers to be given as soon as possible, but the ones appropriate to give the answers were too afraid to speak, this was simply because they were afraid that they were standing before the one who they never thought of seeing alive that moment.

Once Joesph saw how stunned they were, he humbled himself before them and the scripture says in verse 4 - 5,

“And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.” And they approached him. And he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.

5 Now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to save life and preserve our family.”

Please take note of that which was said, Yes I am Joseph, Yes it was true, you sold me as a slave to Egypt, but you don’t need to blame yourself about what you did, for it was the Lord who sent me ahead of you to save the lives of men and preserve our family. This means, when Joseph finally saw the importance of working hard to preserve the souls of men, he had the need to work so hard for him to be able save the lives of men far beyond Egypt and all over the world. That is why the Lord took him from as far as the land of the Hebrews and he became so desperate to have enough to preserve the souls of men far beyond Egypt. For if the king of Egypt finds out that what was preserved would not be enough, there would not be any need to sell to people outside the land of Egypt.

And Joseph went on to tell them how serious what he was saying had become before the people. He said from verse 6-7,

“For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five more years in which there will be no plowing and harvesting.

7 God sent me [to Egypt] ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth, and to keep you alive by a great escape.”

So pay attention to the fact that Joseph began to tell his brothers that once he was given this responsibility, it became obvious that he had to work so hard to be able to grow the confidence of Egypt, that they will be bold to open their doors to reach out to his family members living so far away. Look carefully and you will find out that his motivation was strongly to provide for his loved once, even as far as they were. That is why in verse 8 he went on to say,

“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 household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.”

Please once again, take note of what Joseph said, it was not you who sent me here but God. When we make the decision to move, is it actually because the Lord has a plan for us to accomplish through us or we are just selfish about our pride? Please think about this. And once again remember what Joseph said in this verse, “… He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.”

You see, from the first word used there, the word “He” refers to the “Almighty GOD” who has made him, Joseph, to become a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.” Hallelujah! Our God is truly worthy of all the praise and the glory. There is much more that the Lord our God is doing, be careful and let Him reign even over your life.

Beloved, the Lord our God is indeed worthy of all the praise and the glory and He is at work in our lives. We must be careful to live for Him alone. Shalom!

Written and edited by Igho L Y.