A Weekly Meditation of Pastor Chang (October 4, 2009)

<The Greatest Statesman in Human History – Joseph in the Bible> (5)

We really don’t know how long that Joseph was put in jail? But according to the biblical description, we may guess: at least 3-5 years or even longer. After his interpretations of dreams for the baker and cupbearer of Pharaoh, Joseph waited for another 2 more years until one miraculous event happened – King Pharaoh also got dreams. One can tell, it was God’s “kairos moment” – a holy appointed time of God arrived. That ended Joseph long journey of suffering – it was totally 13 years. These painful 13 years – a terrible but meaningful period of time which he experienced -- just like a student who went through a horrible-living-experienced education. Finally, he graduated.

We acknowledge that all human beings are created by God and confined by two things: space and time. These seem to be our limitations. However, within the confined space and time, we human beings have freedom to do whatsoever we would like to do. Yet, we are held responsible and accountable to whatsoever we do. In other word, only the wise will seek for God’s guidance and be obedient to God’s way. Joseph was a wise man; he did not scorn the cupbearer’s forgetfulness nor did he complain God why He did not take good care of him? But just be silent and wait until the appointed time of God came – this was the wisdom of Joseph, because Joseph believed that “the Only Absolute One” is God.

Finally, when the time came, King Pharaoh got dreams which were another arrangement of God -- the opportunity for Joseph to be released and transformed.

Here were the two strange dreams of Pharaoh: One night, he dreamed that he was standing by the side of River Nile. And there were seven sleek and fat cows grazed among the reeds. Suddenly, seven other ugly and gaunt cows came out of the river. The ugly and gaunt cows ate up the sleek and fat ones. Pharaoh woke up.

He fell asleep again. The second dream came: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted – thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin and scorched heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then, Pharaoh woke up again; it had been another dream.

In the morning, Pharaoh’s mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. But no one could interpret for him.

Praise the Lord, when the time came, the cupbearer remembered Joseph finally. He immediately reported to Pharaoh. One of the critical issues was: if the cupbearer remembered Joseph two years ago when he was just released from jail, Joseph could be set free. When this great opportunity came, Joseph could miss it. But since he was still in jail, he could be taken out easily. Again, this is the Providence of God.

Immediately, Joseph was taken out of jail, washed, shaved, and put new clothes on to meet the king.

After listening to the dreams of the King, Joseph humbly acknowledged that it was not because of his ability to give the interpretation of the dreams but only by the power and gift of God that he could interpret the dreams.

Here was Joseph’s interpretation of dreams: these two dreams -- seven cows and seven heads of grain indicated the same meaning but reinforced the event to be fulfilled soon. God already revealed to the King that Egypt would have seven years of great harvest; yet, after that good seven years, a famine for another seven years would follow. And it would be so severe that would even forget the first seven years of great harvest.

The wisdom of Joseph did not only provide interpretation of dreams but also gave the best way of solution. Joseph suggested to King Pharaoh: looking for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt to prepare and arrange the entire nation to face the future. By God’s grace, of course, the wise and discerning man was standing before the King – Joseph was. And therefore, Joseph was appointed to be the prim-minister of Egypt.