Qualities of Joseph in 40:1-41:13
Responsibility - he was given the care of other prisoners.
Leadership - as above.
Sensitivity - he noticed other prisoners were dejected.
Pastoral care - he did something about it.
God-centred - he recognised it was God who reveals dreams.
Integrity - he didn't try to get undue reward for interpreting dreams.
Winsomeness - he did at least ask not to be forgotten!
God used time to heal, and in His good timing, the opportunity for freedom came along. He used the opportunities that came to Joseph for His glory. Joseph's honest responses to temptation and false accusation ultimately led to God's greater glory. All of these were developmental for Joseph in preparation for his future roles.
It was because Joseph was a man in whom the spirit of God was that Pharoah was impressed. This must have been obvious and evident to outsiders.
If in Christ, we have found the Bread of Life, we must share the Bread with others who do not have it. Our job is to ensure all those who don't have it, get the opportunity to feast!
Joseph appears to be looking to see if there has been any change in his brothers. He loved them still, but was grieving over all that had happened. God disciplines those He loves - He allows them to go through pain and suffering, to refine and make more like Him.
When they pondered their situation, they realised that they had done wrong with Joseph and still felt guilty about it. Here, they admit their guilt.
Jacob still believed Joseph was no more, when he was at the very centre of all that was going on. We must remember that even when we think we know everything, there may still be things that God is doing and involved in that we know nothing of. Jacob would later learn this lesson.
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