A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/2

 

                                                                                   Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                             PART II 

"I, Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, had two dreams last night... They disturbed me so much that I got up early this morning eventhough I was still very tired... I called for my magicians expecting them to give me understanding... But they disappointed me greatly... For they were not able to do so... I did not know what else to do...But then my chief cupbearer spoke to me... He reminded me that some time ago, in my anger, I had him put in prison.... he had met another prisoner.... A Hebrew slave...And this slave had been able to explain a dream he had had at that time.... And that dream had been fulfilled exactly as the Hebrew slave had told him would happen...I decided that I should have this Hebrew slave come before me...This, despite the fact that I look down on Hebrew people... After all, I am in such a desperate position....This Hebrew slave has now come to see me... He looks clean and well shaven... However, he has just told me that he cannot give me understanding of my dreams... My heart sank when he spoke these words....But he then continued by saying that his God is able to give me understanding of my dreams...These words have given me some hope that I will be able to understand my dreams after all...I must go ahead now and give him details of not just one dream... But of both of my dreams...I really hope that his God is able to do what my magicians have not been able to do."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Pharaoh gives Joseph full details of both his dreams....                                                                                

 

 

             ATTTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                    GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                     PART II

Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, then tells Joseph his dreams in Genesis 41:17-24  

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows came up - scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. But even after they ate them, no-one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up. In my dreams I also saw seven heads of grain, healthy and good, growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted - thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. I told this to the magicians, but none could explain it to me."

The Pharaoh mentions as well that the magicians are not able to explain the dreams. No doubt, this will have upset him.After all, these men claim to know things beyond the natural and he will have relied upon them all these years. But this time they hav completely let him down when he is in such a great need of understanding his dreams.       

Read Part Three HERE                                                                                         

                           

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD P/1

 

                                  

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

            GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD 

                           PART I

"I, Joseph, have been in the King's prison in Egypt for  a number of years because my master Potiphar sent me here.... A couple of years ago I did meet someone of importance here in the prison, whose dream I was able to interpret.... I expected him to plead my case before Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, whom he serves as chief cupbearer.... But I never heard from him... But then this morning as I was getting ready to begin my duties in the prison, I was disturbed by a loud knock on the door.... I was trying to ignore it... For who would come for me now?... However, I eventually opened the door.... In front of me stood someone from the palace.... He told me Pharaoh wanted to see me... I got ready as soon as I could... I was then taken to the palace... And I was brought before Pharaoh... He looked very harrassed... It looked like he had not had a good sleep last night.... I noticed the chief cupbearer standing next to Pharaoh... I wondered if he remembered me....I did not say anything.... But waited for Pharaoh to speak... He told me that he had had a dream.... He, furthermore, told me that no-one can interpret his dream for him...That does not speak well of his magicians....Pharaoh then explained that he had heard I have the gift of interpreting dreams.... I looked at the chief cupbearer... How does Pharaoh know that I have the gift of interpreting dreams?...  The chief cupbearer just smiled lightly... He does remember me and what I have done for him.... However, Pharaoh as well as the chief cup bearer need to know that I do not really have the gift of interpreting dreams... It is God who interprets dreams... And I have no doubt that He will give Pharaoh the understanding of his dream."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Joseph was called to appear before Pharaoh...

                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                       GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD

                                                                      PART I

Going back to the story of Joseph, the Pharaoh begins to explain the reason for Joseph's coming before the Court here in Egypt as you can read in Genesis 41:15

Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no-one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

You can see from Joseph's answer that he has really changed since he had his dreams at the age of seventeen. Let's read Genesis 41:16

"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharoah the answer he desires."

It is clear from Joseph's answer that the pride he displayed in his youth, has completely gone. He has become a humble man who has learned that he can do nothing of himself as you can read in John 15:5 where Jesus says,

"I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."

And Joseph makes sure the Pharaoh knows that it is God who give the interpretation of dreams. 

Read Part Two HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/21

 

                                                             Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                 FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                    PART XXI 

How is that for you?... Please know that God has not forgotten you just as He had not fogotten Joseph.... Neither has He forgotten you longings, your desires.... He will fulfill them at the right time....Perhaps you do not know that God has a plan for your life... If that is the case then ask Him to show you what He has in mind for you to do.... And trust Him to show it to you....If you do know that God has a plan for your life but you have not yet seen it come to pass as yet then continue to wait for His timing.... If your time has come to fulfill the plans He has for you then give up your despair and put on the garment of praise, just as Joseph had to change his garment in order to be able to appear before Pharaoh."... Please read the typed out attachment when you are encourage to put on the garment of praise when it is time to do so....

 

                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE 

                                                                     PART XXI

Just as God had not forgotten Joseph, so He has not forgotten you. Neither has He forgotten the desires, the longings He has placed in your heart. And at the right time, when you are ready, He will make these desires, these longings, come true. And like Joseph, you must make sure that you are ready to wear the right garment when that happenes. So change your garment of despair to a garment of praise as you can read in Isaiah 61:3

To bestow on them a crown of beauty instad of ashes, the oil of gladnes instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

It may be that you do not know that God has a plan for your life, just as He had for Joseph. In that case, you need to ask God for His plan for your life and then trust God to work in your life through your circumstances to make you ready to fulfill His plan for your life.                                                               Or it may be that you do know that God has a plan for your life but you have not seen it happen as yet. Don't give up hope for you are in training and when the training has finished God will use you for His purposes.Just be patient for God is at work even when you don't know it.                                              Or it may be that you have gone through the training and you know that God has said, "Now is the time to serve Me in the way I have shown you."In that case, I would like to invite you to put on the garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair which may have crept in because of the long wait. Then go and serve the Lord in the way He has asked you to.

P.S. In my next post I will begin to share on A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD.

  

                      

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/ 20

 

                                                            Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                 FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                    PART XX

"I, Joseph, woke up this morning after quite a restless night... I looked around the little room I am staying in... I then realised where I was... I am in my cell in the prison here in Egypt.... I have been here since my master Potiphar sent me here for something I have not done... Two years ago I met the chief cupbearer of Pharoah, the ruler of Egypt, here in the prison.... He had a dream.... I interpreted his dream for him... I asked him as well to mention me to Pharaoh.... I was sure he would do so... But I never heard from him... So I am still here in prison....As I was thinking these thoughts, I was interruptedby a loud knocking at my cell door....Who could that be?.... Initially, I could not be bothered to open my cell door.... After all, who would come for me?....However, the knocking did not stop so I eventually opened my cell door.... I then saw someone in front of me who looked like he had come from Pharah's palace.... I could not believe my eyes....He then spoke up... He told me to get ready for Pharaoh wants to see me.... He had two dreams... And I am to come before him to help him understand them... But I must get changed first....For I cannot possibly appear before him in my prison outfit.".... please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Joseph is to appear before the Pharaoh...

                   ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                             FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                                  PART XX 

Now for Joseph this has been a night as any other night and when he gets up that morning in the prison he has been put in by his master Potiphar he has absolutely no idea that his circumstances are about to change drastically. As far as he is concerned, he knows the day's routine.... But then there is a knock on his cell door. Who can that be? He does not expect anyone to knock at his cell door. It must be a mistake for no-one ever comes for him. He better tell that person who is outside his cell door that he has knocked on the wrong door. The last time he has been expecting a knock on his cell door had been two years ago. But no-one ever came so he is no longer going to allow himself to hope for a miracle. That will be too painful to bear. But the person outside his cell door just will not go away so he better open the door.... "You mean, Pharaoh is asking for me? He wants me to come to the palace? Now? Only let me get ready for I cannot appear before Pharaoh in my prison outfit. I have been set free and I must wear the appropriate clothing." You can read this in Genesis 41:14

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothers, he came before Pharoah. 

Joseph's time has come. God has not forgotten him but has been preparing him for this moment. 

Read Part Twenty-One HERE

                                                

                  

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/19

                                                            Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                PART XIX

"I, the chief cupbearer of Pharaoh here at the palace in Egypt, went to see my master this morning.... When I walked in the room where he was seated, I noticed his face looking very miserable... I gently approached him... I did not want to upset him further... I have been in prison once already... And I do not want to repeat the experience... The moment the Pharaoh saw me, he shared with me why he was looking so miserable.... He had had two bad dreams during the night... So he had called in his magicians... For they should have been able to give him the meaning of these two dreams... But they had been unable to do so....I then spoke up... I reminded Pharaoh that some time ago he had been angry with me and had put me in prison... While there I had had a dream... I had not known what to make of that dream... But I had shared that dream with the young man who was in charge of the prison... And he had interpreted my dream for me... And his interpretation had come true... This young man is a Hebrew.... His name is Joseph... I was supposed to mention his name to Pharoah two years ago already... But I had completely forgotten about him...However, he will be the answer to Pharaoh's problems... So Pharaoh should have Joseph come before him even though he is nothing more than a Hebrew slave.... And a prisoner at that."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the chief cupbearer shares with Pharaoh his experience with Joseph while he was in prison....

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                            FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                                PART XIX

Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, has had two dreams in the night and it seems no one can interpret them for him. When the chief cupbearer sees Pharaoh that morning he suddenly remembers who was able to interpret his dream for him when he was in prison two years ago as you can read in Genesis 41:9-14

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged."

The chief cupbearer may believe that he should have mentioned Joseph to Pharaoh before this day but he will not have realised that God has prevented him from speaking to Pharaoh about Joseph since it had not yet been the time to do so. However, the time has come for Joseph to be released from prison according to God's schedule for him and, consequently, God gives Pharaoh two dreams that no-one can interpret, apart from the man chosen by God. 

Read Part Twenty HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/18

 

                                                            Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                   FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE 

                                    PART XVIII

"I, Pharaoh, the ruler of all of Egypt, am not in a good mood... And I cannot be blamed for being quite short tempered with everyone this morning... After all, I had a terrible night... I had not just one nightmare... I had two nightmares.... They caused me to lose much needed sleep... I ususally try to be even tempered with those who serve me breakfast.   But this morning I could not help but lose my patience with them... It seemed nothing went well.... They were not able to serve my favourite breakfast food.... At other times that may not have mattered too much...But this morning I was in need of something soothing... It had been such a rough night....That was not the end of my misery though...For after my breakfast I had the magicians come to see me... I had high expectations that they would be able to help me understand my strange dreams, or rather nightmares.... But they could not!!... These men are of no use... I may have to get rid of them...They eat of my table.... And drink my wines... But when I need them the most they are totally useless... What am I to do now?.... Please read they typed out attachment when you will learn that no-one is able to help the Pharaoh understand his dreams....

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFEL OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                               FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                                  PART XVIII

The dreams that Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, have had do not makes sense to him. But he believes he knows who can interpret these dreams for him. However, Pharaoh soon finds out that he is mistaken as you can read in Genesis 41:8

In the morning his mind was troubles so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharoah told them his dreams, but no-one could interpret them for him.

There is only one person in all of Egypt, who has the God-given ability to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. And God has made sure he is in the right place at the right time, eventhough he is not among the magicians at Pharaoh's Court.

Read Part Nineteen HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/17

 

                                                             Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

               FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                  PART XVII

"I, Pharaoh, had such a bad night last night... As a consequence I am very tired this morning... I may be the most important person in Egypt as the Pharaoh... But even I need a good night's sleep just like anyone else in my kingdom to be able to make the right decisions... The reason I had such a bad night is because I had two dreams that kept me awake... They were more like nightmares... I cannot remember eaten anyting unusual the evening before... So I cannot blame my chief cook for these night mares.... In my first dream I saw seven sleek and fat cows coming out of the river Nile... I then saw seven ugly and gaunt cows coming up out of the river Nile.... To my horrow the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows.... I then woke up... I wondered what this dream could mean... I wanted to stay awake and call for my magicians... But I fell asleep again.... I then had another bad dream.... This time I dreamed that seven healthy heads of grain were growing on a single stalk.... But that was not all.... For I next saw seven thin heads of grain that had been scorched by the east wind... And the thin heads swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads... I then woke up again.... That was the end of my sleep... I got up soon afterwards... All the while I was thinking about these two dreams... What could they mean?".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn about the Pharaoh's two dreams....

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                              FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                                PART XVII 

But God has not forgotten Joseph while he is in the prison he has been put in by his master Potiphar. And just at the right time when God knows that Joseph is ready for the task that He has prepared for him, God gives Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, a dream. In fact He gives him two dreams as you can read in Genesis 41:1-7

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream. He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds After them seven other cows, ungly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had a second dream: seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted - thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.

Two years have passed since the chief cupbearer was restored to his position as chief cupbearer to the Pharaoh. Joseph is still in the prison he was put in by his master Pharaoh. He is still taking care of all the prisoners. Then one night Pharaoh has two unusual dreams.

Read Part Eighteen HERE

                                                           

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE P/16

 Read Part One HERE

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                 FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                     PART XVI

"I, Joseph, finished my conversation with the chief cupbearer... I then turned to the baker... He too is in the same prison that I am in because Pharaoh sent him here... He too had a dream... And he shared his dream with me... He shared with me that in his dream he carried three baskets of bread... In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh.. He shared as well with me that birds were eating the baked goods out of that top basket... The Lord then showed me that, sadly, after three days his life would come to an end... I had no choice but to tell him so... The baker accepted my explanation of his dream... For the next three days I continued to take care of him... They were then both released from prison... The chief cupbearer went back to Court to serve Pharaoh... The chief baker lost his life... I continue to serve the prisoners who are with me in the prison.... All I can do is dream of the day that I will be released... I pray that it will be soon."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the chief baker shared his dream with Joseph....

               ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                               FROM THE PIT TO THE PALACE

                                                               PART XVI

Having given the chief cupbearer, who is with Joseph in the prison he was put in by his master Potiphar, the interpretation of his dream, Joseph then turned to the baker to learn about his dream. Unfortunately, the outcome of his dream was not at all favourable as you can read in Genesis 40:16-19

When the chief baker saw that Joseph had given a favourable interpretation, he said to Joseph, "I too had a dream. On my heads were three baskets of bread. In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head." "This is what it means, "Joseph said, "The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat away your flesh."

These two men have been put into the prison where only the King's prisoners are being held because they have been serving at Pharaoh's Court. God has made sure that Joseph is in the same prison so he can meet them. God then gives both men a dream and gives Joseph the interpretation. Everything works out exactly as Joseph has foretold; the baker is hanged and the chief cupbearer is reinstated in his position at Pharaoh's Court. Joseph is convinced that God will use the chief cupbearerer to help him come out of prison and so he waits to hear from Pharaoh's court. Day after day he expects someone to knock on his cell door to tell him, "Joseph get dressed, the Pharaoh is expecting you." But days turn into weeks. Weeks turn into months and no one ever comes to get him.... Surely, God must have forgotten him and the dreams He had given him. After all, thirteen years have passed since he had been sold into slavery...

Some of you may have come to believe that surely your training time has come to an end for it seems God has begun to put things into your life which might take you out of your circumstances. After all, it is not your fault that you are in your circumstances. You have done nothing to deserve them. But then, like Joseph, you have been waiting and waiting for a change to come but nothing has happened. At last you give up. God must have forgotten you and the desires He has placed in your heart. After all, it has been a long time since you first had these desires....

Read Part Seventeen HERE