“You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”
Genesis 41:40
This verse comes from the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob, is probably best known for his “coat of many colors.” The story goes that Joseph was his father’s favorite son, and the rest of his 11 brothers were jealous of him. They thought about killing him, but instead they decided to sell him into slavery and tell their father that he had been killed by an animal.
They sold Joseph into slavery and he was taken to Egypt. He was made servant of the captain of the guard. He won favor in his eyes and was given control over all of his household. After some time, he was framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and put into jail. In jail, he earned the favor of the guard and was put in charge of all the prisoners. There, with God’s help, he began interpreting dreams for some of the other prisoners. When the Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, had a troubling dream and needed help, they brought Joseph to him. His interpretations and answers earned him favor in Pharaoh’s eyes and he was put in charge of the whole country, which is what we see in our verse for today.
The reason I think this verse in particular is substantial is because it’s the moment of triumph. Jacob went through some real ups and downs. He was his father’s favorite, but then his brothers sold him into slavery. He was a slave, but then his master trusted him and gave him a good life and power. He was framed, but then he found favor with the prison guard. He was a prisoner, but then he was made ruler over all of Egypt. There had to have been several moments that Jacob felt hopeless. When he became a slave, when he was put in prison, those are low moments. But God delivered him through both, to a place of victory over everyone who had oppressed him.
That’s the redeeming love and power of God. That’s the reward for his faithful people. That’s not to say that we will become the ruler of our country, but simply that God rewards faithfulness. Through crazy ups and downs, Joseph held onto his faith. In our lives, we will also face a whole lot of ups and downs. We must remain faithful. In the end, we know that we will have victory, but greater than Joseph’s victory in Egypt. An eternal victory through Jesus Christ, with whom we will spend eternity in heaven.
Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for the story of Joseph and for his example of faith. I pray that we would work hard for you in every season of our lives, clinging to our faith no matter the circumstances. I know that if we do, we will be rewarded in heaven someday, and that victory with Jesus makes it all worthwhile.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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