Genesis 41:37-57

Joseph in Charge of Egypt

 

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."

 

Joseph is Placed in Charge of Egypt

 

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 men 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 the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt.

 

57 And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.

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This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way that we think, and the way that we live.

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

Joseph in Charge of Egypt

From prison to the second in command of Egypt. A magnificent demonstration of God's power. Joseph stayed faithful to God so in turn God was faithful to Joseph allowing him to flourish even though he was an outsider and prisoner of Egypt.

It's absolutely amazing what a person can accomplish when God is brought into the equation so never underestimate what God can do in your life.

You or I may never be second in command to a throne but we are all children of God and if we trust Him, we can also see the work He can do through us.

We are sometimes so caught up in trying to do it ourselves that we wait until we feel total defeat that we finally ask God to help us.

Joseph always asked God first and counted on God's help in every situation he faced. In turn, God rewarded Joseph with the throne of Egypt.

Let's ask God to come in and help with the problems we are facing today. He will give us what we need if it is in His will.

Love in Christ

- Bob

Comments are welcome. Please email me with any questions or comments you may have.

Genesis 41:1-36 - Joseph Reveals the Dream of Pharaoh - A bible study lesson about being prepared for hard times and taking advantage of opportunities that come in our lives. Are you ready to accept God's blessings? Am I?