In step

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Genesis 40:1-23

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
Genesis 40:23

Joseph’s experience in Egypt took many twists and turns. One moment he was trusted by Potiphar, one of the king’s officials, and the next moment he was imprisoned because of false accusations from Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39).

In prison Joseph found favor with the warden. But would there ever be a way out?

One day Joseph met the king’s cupbearer and baker, who were sent to prison for making the king angry, and one night both of those men had strange dreams. The next day, the cupbearer and the baker were confused and burdened by their dreams, and Joseph asked why they looked so sad. When they shared their dreams with him, Joseph was able to help, explaining that “interpretations belong to God.” Joseph the dreamer was now wiser, recognizing that God was always helping him (Genesis 39:23).

Both good news and bad news were in those dreams. Soon the cupbearer was restored to Pharaoh’s court, just as Joseph had said in his interpretation, and Joseph likely wondered what would happen next. But the cupbearer forgot about Joseph— for quite a while.

In that prison, however, God was still watching over Joseph and providing for him. As we often find in our own and others’ lives, there is always more to the story that God is working out.

Dear God, thank you for working in our lives even when we face struggles and it’s hard for us to see or understand what you are doing. Help us to know that even in our times of waiting you are still at work. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Genesis 41:41-57

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”
Genesis 41:41

Joseph remained in prison for two years before the king’s cupbearer remembered him.

One night Pharaoh had two dreams that troubled him deeply, and when he searched for someone to interpret the dreams, the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph. So Pharaoh called for Joseph to interpret the dreams, and Joseph responded by saying, first of all, “I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires” (Genesis 41:1-16).

Pharaoh learned that his dreams warned about a seven-year famine that would follow seven years of great abundance. When he received the interpretation, as well as the sound advice Joseph gave about preparing for the famine, Pharaoh knew that Joseph would be the right person to manage the harvesting so that Egypt would have enough food (41:17-40). So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the whole land to prepare for the years of abundance and famine that would come.

God can work in our lives in amazing ways. Though none of this was easy for Joseph, we can see in this story that he learned to trust and serve God in faith while he was in prison—and also when he was freed and appointed to lead.

The faithfulness of God becomes clearer to us over time and through many different experiences, some of which are life-changing. We learn steadiness and certainty as God walks with us faithfully.

Dear God, thank you for weaving together the circumstances of our lives and showing us how you work in them. May we see you at work in our lives each day. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Genesis 42:1-17

“I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us. . . .”
Genesis 42:2

Like many others during the seven years of famine, Jacob’s family and flocks were running out of food. So Jacob sent his sons to go and buy food in Egypt, where they had heard there was plenty.

All of the brothers except Benjamin, the youngest, went on this journey of desperation. They must have wondered, “Will there be food for all of us coming from another country? And what will happen to our family while we are away?”

Joseph came face-to-face with the brothers who had hated him enough to sell him into slavery. What emotions filled his heart when he saw them again? Was he tempted to get revenge and harm them?

Now wiser, Joseph came up with a way to test his brothers, to see if they had changed in the many years since they had gotten rid of him. Joseph’s life had seen alarming twists and turns, and a similar journey now began for his brothers. Through a series of tests and questioning, Joseph learned that his father was still alive and that his brothers were sorry for the wrong they had done (Genesis 42-44). And the Lord worked through all of this to bring about reconciliation and forgiveness, drawing this family back together again.

In what ways have you seen God working at reconciliation in your life or in the lives of people around you?

Dear God, you know we need more than food. We need restored relationships with you and with one another. Thank you for shaping our stories in the way of forgiveness and reconciliation. In Jesus, Amen.