Obedient Love

September 13, 2020 Background Scripture: Genesis 41:14 – 57 Lesson Passage: Genesis 41:25 – 33, 37 – 40, 50 – 52 In last week’s lesson, Joseph was about seventeen years of age. In this week’s lesson, Joseph is now about thirty years of age. The previous thirteen years were difficult for Joseph. It started in last week’s lesson when he was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Joseph went from being a house servant (or slave) to a prisoner in Egypt as a result of the lies told by his master’s wife who found him attractive. Somehow, Joseph managed to maintain what appeared to be an even-keel attitude during those years. Joseph maintained steadfastness of character despite the circumstances of his life. There is much more to this than just a “made-up mind”. One must be firmly rooted in their faith towards God, despite the unfairness of life, for one’s character to remain above reproach—and criticism. Let’s face it, there are some situations in life that will just make you “go there”! Somehow, it appears that Joseph did not have those moments of character weakness. Not only was Joseph’s faith firmly rooted in God, Joseph was also spiritually gifted by God. Joseph got into a lot of trouble as a boy sharing his dreams with his family. Those dreams, however, were just an indication of his true spiritual gift, the interpretation of dreams. While in prison, God began to develop the spiritual gift He had given Joseph, i.e., the interpretation of dreams. Two fellow prisoners learned of Joseph’s unique gift. Each of them had dreams while in prison with Joseph; and Joseph gave them the interpretation of their dreams. The dreams pointed towards the exoneration and release of one of the prisoners and the conviction and execution of the other. Joseph asked the prisoner who would be exonerated to work to free him from prison once he was delivered. Joseph assured his fellow prisoner that he was innocent and had been falsely accused. As life too often happens, Joseph and his plight were forgotten by the former prisoner once he was set free. That all changed after Pharaoh had a disturbing dream and none of his magicians and soothsayers could interpret it for him. At that point in time, Pharaoh’s chief butler, the former prison mate of Joseph, was delivered of his amnesia and remembered Joseph. He told Pharaoh about the Hebrew in prison who could interpret dreams. Pharaoh was so disturbed by his dream that he wasted no time sending for Joseph. This is where our subject, Obedient Love, comes in. Joseph, contrary to Hebrew customs, shaved himself and then changed his clothes. Joseph made himself presentable to the Egyptians before coming in the presence of their leader, Pharaoh. Joseph was wrongly imprisoned, and he possessed what Pharaoh needed. Rather than allowing his advantage to be disrespectful to his captors, Joseph humbly went before Pharaoh. Joseph demonstrated a divinely influenced character. This is what causes the rest of the lesson to unfold in the manner it does. Joseph demonstrated obedience to God and love and compassion for his fellowman—who were created in God’s image. I won’t discuss the dreams or their interpretations; you can read the background scripture and do that. I will offer this: What you suffer in life will often cause a bipolar outcome. Your situations will either cause you to become “bitter” or “better”. Joseph was a great man because he chose to be “better” as a result of the adversities in his life. This is only possible by having a faith firmly rooted in God. Too often we want God to control the circumstances of our lives. Our faith must give us the assurance that God will control the outcome of our lives despite circumstances and the trials of life that we go through. We must be willing to obey God and love our fellowman. Robert C. Hudson August 26, 2020