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Pharaoh might have become angry at Joseph's boldness, but he did not. He accepted God's word and recognized Joseph as God's servant. He put him in charge of his palace and made him the second man over Egypt. God was with Joseph. Joseph was changed from a slave to a ruler, in one day. He did not become proud, nor did he seek revenge. He went to work. He believed God's word; for seven years he did not doubt but prepared for the famine. When the years of famine came, he opened the storehouses and fed the Egyptians and the world. He became a steward of the world.
During the years of plenty, Joseph married and had two sons. His sons' names testify to how deeply he suffered in his struggles in Egypt, but also how thankful he was to God for bearing his abundant fruit in Joseph’s life. He held no grudges against his brothers. God's blessing did not make him proud; it made him thankful, humble and obedient to God. Joseph accepted God's sovereignty. He continued to walk with God and accepted God’s hand over all his life.
Jul 13, 2025
JOSEPH IN CHARGE OF EGYPT
Passage: Genesis 41:37-57
Key verse: 51-52
NIV
chapter 41
37. The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.
38. So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?"
39. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.
40. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you. "
41. So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt."
42. Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
43. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, "Make way!" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
44. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt."
45. Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
46. Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt.
47. During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully.
48. 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.
49. 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.
50. Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.
51. Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household."
52. The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."
53. The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end,
54. and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food.
55. When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph and do what he tells you."
56. When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt.
57. And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.
Prayer: Lord, you have been with me in all things. Help me to embrace your sovereign rule over every part of my life.
One Word: Accept God’s sovereignty