9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6
We said yesterday that Joseph wanted to get his freedom from prison but that he never allowed his heart to become bitter. He never gave way to bitterness, which would have soured his whole character and perhaps thwarted God’s powerful plan for his life.
The other thing Joseph had to endure in prison was the waiting, ‘Doing Time’, like Marking Time, must be tedious for everyone in that situation. But, many people on the outside can be faced with similar circumstances in their lives.
40 SOME TIME LATER, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. Genesis 40
41 WHEN TWO FULL YEARS HAD PASSED, Pharaoh had a dream: Genesis 41
The connection between Joseph and Pharaoh’s two high ranking servants had been made in prison, but there was still to be a lengthy Wait before God released Pharaoh’s dreams about the coming famine.
23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. Genesis 40
Even after Joseph had correctly interpreted the two men’s dreams, two more years passed before Pharaoh was finally told about Joseph.
In his earlier life God had spoken to Joseph himself through his dreams and the younger Joseph had freely shared the dreams with his parents and brothers. God probably permitted that, so his brothers would want to be rid of him and advance God’s plan for Joseph and the whole family.
Joseph had to submit to God’s unseen hand, he had no alternative, no way to escape the direction his life had taken. He had to learn to wait in prison until God’s time had fully come for his release. I have said in other blogs that Jesus began His earthly ministry at thirty years of age and Joseph entered Pharaoh’s service at the same age.
46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Genesis 41
Joseph (and the Lord Himself) apparently had to reach a certain stage of maturity in life before they could stand in God’s calling on their lives. We may think we’re ready to step into God’s call for us, but He alone knows when we’re really able to carry the responsibility that it entails. We too must finish the maturing process so we can carry our calling.
WAITING IS TESTING AND GOD ALONE CONTROLS THE DURATION OF THE TEST.
24 ‘“‘The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace.’”
27 ‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’ Numbers 6