Genesis 40
Joseph to Pharaoh's cupbearer: "Get me out of this prison and show me kindness" (v. 14). But the cupbearer did not remember. Once back in the comfort of Pharaoh's palace, he forgot those left behind in prison. The chapter ends with these words: "The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him" (v. 22).
Loving God with all my mind means remembering (and doing something about) those being held captive by the world systems of injustice.
Question
Who do I know that needs to be remembered today?
Alexander Ivanov 1806–1858
Joseph, the Butler and the Baker (Genesis 40:8)
Genesis 41
Two years later, the cupbearer remembered! Joseph is brought out of prison to interpret for Pharaoh a deeply troubling dream. Joseph insists on making sure that Pharaoh understands where the information comes from: "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires" (v. 16). Joseph not only interpreted the dream; he outlined a strategic response. And Pharaoh believed him—even though he was a stranger, a foreigner, a prisoner. Amazing.
The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?"Imagine President Bush appointing a prisoner from Guantanamo Bay to head up the Department of Homeland Security.
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." (vv. 37-40)
Seven years of abundance followed, and Joseph followed through on what he had advised Pharaoh. Egypt stored up so much grain that Joseph "stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure" (v. 49). Yet Joseph did not take credit. Thousands of years later, the apostle Paul instructed believers to follow this kind of example when he wrote, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you" (Romans 12:3). Joseph demonstrated the measure of faith he had by saying, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering" (Genesis 41:52).
Loving God with all my mind means understanding that God can make something good out of my misery.
Loving God with all my soul means giving God the credit for all the good he empowers me to accomplish.
Prayer
Lord, grant us the strength to withstand whatever misery we're experiencing. Increase our faith just as you increased the quantities of grain in Pharaoh's storehouses. May we not squander the resources you provide, but distribute them generously in your name so that the whole world will know that your power is at work in the world to feed the hungry, release captives, and defeat wicked oppressors.
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