“Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying: ‘It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (Gen 41:16. KJ)

We all know the story of Joseph, his betrayal, pains and lastly, his promotion. Let’s go back in time and like a little lizard, hide in the palace of the king of Egypt. Let’s witness the events of the day when suddenly, Joseph was promoted from prison to palace.

This day started as ‘an ordinary day’.  Few men knew that Pharaoh could not sleep well in the night. He had two dreams, both of them puzzling, confusing and mysterious. Somehow he knew that these are not ordinary dreams but they are a message from the spirit realm. In the first, he was standing by the river Nile, the source of all the riches of Egypt. His people worshiped the water spirit of Nile.  Seven fat cows came out from the river and happily grazed on the grass. Then seven other cows came from the same river. These were thin and mean looking. They came and swallowed the fat cows, but still remained unchanged, thin and ugly. The second dream was similar to this.

Pharaoh was troubled.  The dreams made no sense; they only brought anxiety with them for no solution was revealed. He was to look for a man who could interpret their message.  He called his magicians, but they could not help. His anxiety became panic. A king’s anger means death…It was then, in the midst of this feverish confusion that his butler remembered Joseph. He confessed to Pharaoh his sin of ungratefulness, of forgetting a good man in prison for the past two years. He did not remember his name. All he knew was that Joseph was a Jew, a servant of Jehovah. But that was enough! Pharaoh sends for Joseph. He has just few minutes to look presentable; to shave, take a bath and change his prison clothes.

Joseph now stands before the most powerful man on earth at that time. Pharaoh explains his problem. He needs a wise man, an interpreter of dreams. No one in his palace could help him. Someone ‘highly recommended him for the job’. Can he perform? Then Joseph speaks.

Please listen to the first words coming from the mouth of a man who was to be instantly promoted:

‘It is not in me…I cannot do it’!

Here we see the humility of wisdom. Joseph could have taken advantage of this opportunity to ask for the favor of freedom or vengeance against his enemies. This is the hour he has been praying for…or is it not? But standing there, this noble prince of Jehovah and ambassador of Christ, a royal priest, a true servant of God, he is magnificently dead to self. He has no personal ambition of worldly gain and speaks the truth: ‘In my flesh, dwells no good thing’. Even the water spirit of Nile cannot help. He disappoints any false hope of idolatry or flattery in Pharaoh. Then gently and firmly, he directs the attention of Pharaoh and all present to the God of Israel who is the only true and ever present Helper in time of need! Joseph is a ripe fruit, ready for promotion! What faithfulness! What humility! What wisdom!

In Christ I declare:

I am a child of God!

I shall be faithful and patient in all my trials, trusting God for the glory!

The time of my favor has arrived!

I shall surely be promoted!

To the glory of God!

In Jesus name

Amen!