Bible Study Online Article
In the previous article I mentioned how Pharaoh was himself a foreigner when it came to the land of Egypt. Being that he was part of the invasion that had taken place in the Egyptian Empire around 1700 BC. Because of this invasion, the infamous fifteenth royal family dynasty would be formed. Keep in mind, that 1700 BC was also around the same time that Joseph had been taken to the land of Egypt as well. Understand, that this meant -- when Joseph was promoted, he wasn't promoted by a Pharaoh that held and obtained the position through the traditional inheritance process. But he was promoted by an Egyptian ruler that was not of the same blood of the land that he ruled over, but a foreigner that came to power through force. It's believed, that this Egyptian king might have been from an Arabian tribe that was known as the Bedouins. If this is true, this would have placed the Egyptian king closer to Joseph's ancestry, instead of the Egyptians that he ruled over. Also, if this is the case -- this would explain why Pharaoh was sympathetic and open-minded towards Joseph. Because of Pharaoh's attitude towards Joseph, this would also explain why the Egyptian king was willing to make such a drastic move when it came to elevating the dream interpreter to second-in-command. Being that Pharaoh held the throne through force, and was himself a foreigner -- we could also assume that there weren't very many people around him that he could trust. Understand that I'm not pointing these things out, in order to take glory from the one true God. I'm pointing these things out, in order to connect and track God through Joseph's ordeal not only in the spiritual, but in the natural as well. This Egyptian king would not have held the throne if it weren't for God. We must understand that God had allowed Egypt to go through this season of disarray, for the sake of Joseph and the destiny that God had bestowed on him. I like to think, that this is vital information, for it helps us to understand how God causes and uses natural situations and circumstances to teach and prepare us for our season of abundance (increased responsibility) that's about to enter into our lives. We must not make the mistake of limiting God to a certain time period or person. Know this, God never changes -- if He did it for Joseph, He can do it for us as well. Now let's turn our attention back to the scriptures, for we are now told that Joseph was thirty years old when he was elevated to the position of prime-minister of state. Understand that the age is given in order for us to appreciate the ordeal that Joseph had just gone through. That might read a little crazy, but be aware that the ordeal that Joseph had went through didn't just provide a way to track God -- but it helped us to understand that although Joseph had to endure a season of affliction, his season of prosperity would be much longer. Joseph was elevated to prime-minister of state when he was thirty years of age. This means that he had spent thirteen years in the land of Egypt before he was elevated. But understand that Joseph won't die until the age of one-hundred and ten. Remember that Joseph was seventeen years of age when he was first sold by his brothers, so this means that he spent thirteen years being afflicted and the next eighty years of his life living in prosperity. These are the things we need to keep in mind while we're going and traveling through the dark valleys of life. You never know, the time that you spend in obscurity - could mean, that you spend that same amount of time, multiplied -- in a season that's paved with a path that's bright and filled with enlightenment. I tell you this -- there's nothing to hard for the almighty God. For it will profit you to -- Believe it, know it and embrace it! The scriptures has now confirmed that the first seven years of abundance seemed to have started, being that Joseph was now storing up the extra grain that the land of Egypt was producing: "During the seven years the land produced plentifully. Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure." (Genesis 41:47-50) Next we are informed by the scriptures that during these seven years of abundance, that Joseph too, would experience the gift of abundance when it came to his household: "Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph and Asenath daughter of Poti-phera, priest of On. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, 'It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household.' The second son he named Ephraim and said, 'It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.'" (Genesis 41:50-52) Although the scripture is very clear, there are some things that I want to touch on for a moment. When it comes to the names, the statement that Joseph made after they were born, tells us what each name signifies. Manasseh signifies -- (forgetfulness) and Ephraim signifies -- (fruitfulness) Also, the statement: "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." This deals with the hardship and betrayal that Joseph had experienced, when it came to how his brothers treated him. The seven years of abundance has ended, and now the famine of seven years enters in the land or perhaps to all parts of the known world. Not just Egypt? If this is the case, will there be enough grain to supply all those who need food?
Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty **YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 84) Joseph's Dark Dreams Interpretation 85) Joseph the Overseer of Egypt 86) Joseph the Revealer of Secrets 88) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 90) Joseph the Egyptian Prime Minister 91) Joseph's Temptation of Revenge 93) The Confessions of the Ten Tribes  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
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