‘It is not in me’ - Part 1, The Proclamation
2004 : Week 23  |  Website Version  

In last week’s message we saw that our Christian life is meant to be extraordinary; God provides the power and creates circumstances that are incredible, and we are meant to honor and glorify Him at all times. When we make the promise to serve, obey and follow Him, the Lord can to do great things with our lives. This week provides another example of God working miracles through a man; this week we look at a story from the life of Joseph in the Book of Genesis.

Joseph is unjustly imprisoned in Egypt. While in Jail, he interprets dreams for two other prisoners: Pharaoh’s baker and Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer. They had offended Pharaoh, and in his fury, he had them thrown in jail. Soon after, the cupbearer finishes his time in prison and resumes his work for Pharaoh, as Joseph had foretold. The baker, however, is executed by Pharaoh for his offense; again Joseph had predicted this outcome.

The cupbearer forgets about Joseph’s remarkable ability to interpret dreams, and two years pass. One day, Pharaoh is troubled by a dream, and he summons the magicians and wise men of Egypt to interpret it; they all fail. It’s then that the cupbearer remembers Joseph and suggests him to Pharaoh; Joseph is summoned from prison.

Joseph prepares for the meeting with Pharaoh, and, when he arrives, Pharaoh quizzes him about his power to interpret dreams. Joseph’s answer to Pharaoh shows us where his heart is:
 
         "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
 Genesis 41:16 (NASB)
 
This is an extraordinary and bold answer; Joseph uses this opportunity to declare the power of God to Pharaoh. Let’s think about this for a moment. He is standing before someone who does not believe in his God. Further, this is someone who took the life of his baker when he offended him, but Joseph doesn’t care. He risks offending Pharaoh to proclaim God’s power.

This could be an opportunity for Joseph to seek great fame and riches from Pharaoh. Joseph could claim the glory for himself, but that’s not what he does. Joseph makes sure Pharaoh is focusing on God and away from him. This is the heart of a servant of the Lord. This is a man who has learned humility from his time in jail. Further, Joseph is persistent in praising God before Pharaoh. He wants to make sure Pharaoh does not miss the point, so he reminds Pharaoh the power is God’s three more times during his explanation of the dreams:

In this story, Joseph sets a wonderful example for us to follow as Christians. Even before a man who does not believe in God, a man who could have him executed, Joseph stands firm in his convictions. Boldly he stands before Pharaoh and glorifies God. Humbly he divests himself of any power and says it is of God.

Most of us will never stand before a man as powerful as Pharaoh: someone who can take our lives. However, we can all be as focused on God as Joseph was. In our daily activities, we can let our lives shine, so that we focus the glory back to God. If we keep our pride in check, we can praise God before the world for the many blessings He has given us. If we tell the world, they will hear us, and God will bless our faithfulness.

Next week, we will see the incredible outcome of Joseph’s bold proclamation before Pharaoh. Next week will watch as God uses a man, focused on Him, to do extraordinary things.

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you today and always…

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Genesis 41:14-16

14  Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh.
15  Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; and I have heard it said about you, that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
16  Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."

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