Old Testament Genesis 37:1-38:30
New Testament Matthew 12:22-45
Psalm 16:1-11
Proverbs 3:27-32
Advancement
Advancement in the area of business and sports is efficiency and execution. First place wins and second places loses. Many times cheaters *cough* 2014-15 New England Patriots *cough* even win. Not so in the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
From a worldly view point it may seem that following Jesus is one step forward and two steps backward. From God’s point of view steps backward are always steps of advancement.
Joseph’s life is filled with advancement, which includes a few steps forward and then several steps backward. Joseph is promoted relatively quickly as a slave of Potiphar. It was likely 8 to 10 years, but Joseph becomes the overseer of his master’s house. It was during this time where Potiphar’s wife wants to have a personal rendezvous with Joseph. Joseph declines time after time, until one day she grabs him causing him to run away. In the hurried moment his garment (possible an outer garment) was left in her clenched fist. She calls for the guards and accuses him of the very thing she desired. When her husband comes home she tells him the same story. Immediately, Joseph is sent to prison. This is a few steps backward.
It is interesting to note the comparison of the previous chapter, Genesis 38. In 38 Judah is a free and wealthy man who indulges his sexual appetite and is willing to condemn those caught in immorality, but gives himself a pass for committing the exact same sin. In chapter 39 Joseph is a slave with minimal resources, who preserves his sexual purity, because it is a great sin against God and his master. Joseph the innocent again suffers the consequences this time when falsely accused.
While in prison Joseph is assigned by the warden to be the captain of the prisoners. This is a step forward. Some of his co-prisoners happen to be direct servants of the king. They are the chief cupbearer and chief baker. They both have dreams while in prison. It turns out that Joseph has had some experience with dreams, although his dreams of years gone by must have been a mystery in his mind. He interprets both of the dreams accurately and asks the chief cupbearer to remember him when he gets out by telling Pharaoh of his innocence’s. The cupbearer forgets about Joseph for two whole years. This is a few steps backward.
Then Pharaoh has a nightmare that wakes him from his sleep. When he returns to sleep he has another nightmare and by morning this extremely powerful man is deeply troubled. He sends for his men who are experienced in interpreting dreams, but no one able to interpret these dreams. This is when chief cupbearer has a déjà vu experience and remembers the Hebrew prisoner who interpreted his dream. He tells Pharaoh about Joseph and immediately Joseph is summoned to Pharaoh. Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams and is pronounced vice regent over Egypt. Joseph went from prisoner to vice-Pharaoh in a day. This is many steps forward. That is advancement God’s way.
The journey in this life may appear like set back after set back, but the disciple who is faithfully following Jesus can be confident that God is advancing his particular plan even when there are steps backward. You may never be a vice anything in this life, but what awaits the faithful in eternity will likely be very surprising.
Revelation 20:6 6
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.