SESSION 10 OVERCOME HARD TIMES GENESIS 41:33-36 (33) Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the lad of Egypt. (14) Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. (35) And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. (36) And that good shall be fore store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. KEY WORD: DISCREET (v.33) - The Hebrew word translated DISCREET means to consider, perceive, distinguish and indicates someone with true insight into things, as distinguished from WISE, which indicates sharp administrative skills. As Joseph explained the dream and what was to come, he began to map out a survival plan for the next 14 years. Joseph offered a strategy to prevent starvation and a plan to shield Egypts harvest each year, empowering a capable leadership team, and building suitable storage facilities with appropriate safeguards, Joseph scripted a menue to feed the people for both the bountiful years and for the seven lean years that would follow. It was a solid plan. Maybe God gave the plan to Joseph in that moment - an epiphany directly to Joseph because his mind was sensitive to the Lord - and Joseph subsequently relayed Gods message to Pharaoh and his court. It is possible the plan came from knowledge God had poured into Joseph through his previous experiences of growing up in a farming family, managing Potiphars household, and administrating matters while in prison. Either way, the ultimate Source of the plan was God. The reality of Josephs story was that in the midst of adversity, he rose to the cause, with Gods help. * When he was sold, he served faithfully. * When he was betrayed, he bounced back. * When he was humbled, he worked his way up. Joseph had learned how to match what he had with what needed to be accomplished. In this moment with Pharaoh, Joseph put those God-given skills and experience to work. Scripture teaches that God provides us what we need through His Word to be thoroughly equipped for the good works He calls us to accomplish (2 Tim.3:17). Weve all sat in classes or training where weve thought: I am never going to need this. (How many times did I say that about algebra and geometry?) But God never gives us anything we dont need. Life will provide us opportunities to apply what we have experienced and learned.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:30:25 +0000
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