The rise to office of a young man Joseph – Genesis 41:37-57
After thirteen years of slavery in Egypt, Joseph is promoted to be second in command of all the land. Pharaoh had admired his wiseness and discernment, which helped him to successfully deal with many of the problems that beset the nation (Gen. 41:40).
He was now in charge of planning food supplies for the entire nation, something that could have resulted in starvation had Joseph not done his job correctly.
Fortunately, God was with him. He gave him the wisdom, foresight and patience that allowed him to perform his duties well under great pressure.
The story of Joseph is a good example of how God can bring about our ultimate redemption through our obedience, even when we are put in difficult circumstances. He has demonstrated His ability to do this by enabling Joseph to escape from his own brothers and to become the second in charge of all the land.
God was able to use the ensuing events in this story to reverse the curse of violence, unrighteousness and hunger that had been visited upon the people of Egypt through their worship of the false gods of the land. Moreover, Joseph’s obedience to the Lord was a great model for all who would one day be rulers in Israel, serving as the type for the future king from Judah.
