Genesis 41:33

Genesis 41:33 says, Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.  After interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, Joseph advised him to appoint a wise and discreet man in charge of all the land of Egypt.  Joseph had no reason to believe that Pharaoh would believe him, and he might have even risked angering Pharaoh by offering him advice.  If we believe that God has given us advice that will help others, we must not allow fear or even indifference to keep us from sharing it with them.  Verse thirty-four states, Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.  Joseph expands on what he thinks Pharaoh should do.  Joseph said Pharaoh should appoint officers over the land and set aside a fifth of the crops in the good years.  Verse thirty-five adds, And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.  Joseph said that Pharaoh could still feed the people well on the rest of the crops.  I believe that God expects us to set aside something in the good years to help us through the bad ones, but we should also acknowledge that He will meet our needs.  I don't believe that God ever expects us to be wasteful though.  Verse thirty-six says, And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.  Joseph said that the food stored during the seven good years would be enough to see Egypt through the seven bad years.  As followers of Christ, we are not to worry about having our needs met daily, because God promises us He will meet them.  Still, God may meet our needs in time of adversity by our using His provisions wisely in times of prosperity.  Verse thirty-seven declares, And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.  The plan sounded good to Pharaoh and his servants.  This really was not Joseph's plan, but God's plan shared with Pharaoh through Joseph.  As followers of Christ, we can only share God's plan with others, starting with His plan of salvation.  We have no plans that will work ultimately except the plans that God reveals to us.  Verse thirty-eight asks, And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?  Pharaoh asked where could they find another man such as Joseph, in whom was the Spirit of God.  Hopefully, when people see us as Christians today they will see the Spirit of God in us by the way we act.  Verse thirty-nine states, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:  Pharaoh said that since God had shown Joseph this, that Joseph was the best man for the job.  Pharaoh had to believe that God was really speaking to Joseph.  Verse forty adds,  Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.   Pharaoh said that Joseph would be over everyone except for Pharaoh himself.  Joseph was once again saved from suffering and placed in a position of power, because the time was now right in God's plan.  We may have to suffer in this life, but ultimately we will be delivered if we put our faith in Christ, but it will be when God says this time is right.  Verse forty-one states, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.  Then verse forty-two adds, And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;   Pharaoh telling Joseph that he was in charge might not have been enough to make others believe him, but Pharaoh gave Joseph things that would prove his authority.  Verse forty-three says, And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.  It may not have been his brothers but knees were now indeed bowing down to Joseph, but I don't believe that he took any pride in it.  Verse forty-four adds, And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.  Basically, Pharaoh said that he was putting Joseph in total control.  Fortunately for Pharaoh Joseph was not out to claim power for himself.  If we are given authority to act on behalf of someone else today, we must not abuse our position.  Verse forty states, And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.  Joseph was given an Egyptian name and the daughter of an Egyptian priest as a wife.  Joseph was becoming more and more identified with the Egyptians than with the Israelites.  I personally do not believe that this was God's plan but that God still worked through Joseph's life in spite of the circumstances.