Joseph Rises to Power

Genesis 41:37–49
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Pharaoh and his officials were so impressed with Joseph, who was “a man in whom the spirit of God is” (vv. 37-38) that Pharaoh elevated him to a position second only to his own position (vv. 39-40). He made Joseph governor of all of Egypt (v, 41), placed his royal ring on his hand (v. 42), gave him royal clothing to wear, let him ride in the second chariot and had the people bowing down to him (v. 43). The king told Joseph that “no one in Egypt can do anything without your permission (v. 44). They gave him an Egyptian name and also let him marry Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera who was a priest (v. 45). Joseph is now thirty years of age (v.46). In the next seven years the crops grew so well that he stored the extra grain which was so much that they stopped keeping record and it could not be counted (vv. 47-49).

In one day he had been elevated from the prison to the palace. However, it had taken God thirteen years to bring him to this place of service, for he was  only seventeen when he first arrived in Egypt. No doubt he felt disappointed during those years, but he never chose to feel discouraged. Because Joseph had walked with God and trusted Him through many years, he was ready for this promotion when it came. From all outward appearance Joseph was an Egyptian but he still maintained  a testimony for the God of Israel.

Application

If Joseph had not trusted God in the  prison, he would not have gotten to the palace. Because he had trusted God in all the hard years, God could now trust him to stand for Him in this place of leadership. Based on this thought, I wonder how much God can trust me to do?