Genesis 41: 12 Years a Slave

[MUSIC] Welcome to chapter by chapter, a four-year journey through the greatest book given to the human race. It's the word of God, it's the Bible. And we get to go through it chapter by chapter. Seven minutes a day, seven days a week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can join the journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder. We'll even have chapters that will be instructive and others will find joy and comfort. And occasionally we're going to be convicted and need to change. But all in all the journey will be worth it. Once in a while we may take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's choices servants on their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is to read the chapter we're discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. You will find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to chapter by chapter. And today's chapter is Genesis 41, 12 years a slave. In 2013 there was a movie that won best picture. It was real, raw and eye-opening of America's dark past. It's called 12 years of slave. 12 years of slave is historically accurate film based on the actual 1853 autobiography of Solomon Northrop and the educated free black man who was an accomplished musician who was kidnapped from New York and enslaved in deep south in Louisiana for 12 years. His 12 years were full of pain and torture. The real Solomon Northrop says those 12 years was such a devastating impact on his family. He learned the importance of maintaining one sense of self and the necessity of hope and a strong spirit to survive oppression and injustice. This is Solomon's story and this is Joseph's story in Genesis 41. According to Hebrew tradition and rabbinic sources, Joseph was in prison for 12 years. This is based on the calculation of the 13 year period between his sale into slavery and his appointment as Prime Minister by Pharaoh. Solomon had a gift to play violin around the northern cities and eventually people told what happened to Northrop and it was pulled out. Joseph was a dream interpreter and a cup bearer told the most powerful person in the land that there was a man that can interpret your dreams. And in this chapter Joseph has pulled out of 12 years of being a slave and a convict. In one day Joseph takes off a prison jumpsuit where he is only known by a crime and now he is in the courts of Pharaoh. Listen to Genesis 41 verses 14 through 16. Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes he came to Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have had a dream but no one can interpret it and I've heard it said about you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it. Joseph then answered Pharaoh saying it's not in me but God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer. This is a remarkable conversation. Joseph the convict before the king of the world. Joseph unafraid never stopped speaking about God. He will see it in all of his responses to Pharaoh. He's unashamed and after he has told the dream that Pharaoh had Joseph interprets it that there will be seven years of plenty in Egypt and then seven years of famine and Egypt needs to wisely navigate the plenty season so they can effectively overcome the famine season. Once Pharaoh hears this he knows Joseph is different than anyone he is working with. Pharaoh shocks his kingly court when he does this in Genesis 41 verse 42. Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, put it on Joseph's hand and clothed him in garments, a fine linen and put the golden necklace around his neck. He had him riding his second chariot and he proclaimed before him bow the knee and he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, though I am Pharaoh yet without your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zafinath Penaeum and he gave him as an act the daughter of Potapherra priest of on as his wife and Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt. Now Joseph was 30 years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt and Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Joseph is the second most powerful man in the world and it happens in one day. This is how God promotes. Man's promotion is an upward slope. God's promotion seems to be like a flat line of 13 years and then a spike from convict to Prime Minister. David the Psalmist was right when he said in Psalm 756, "This I know the favor that brings promotion and power doesn't come from anywhere on earth for no one exalts a person but God, the true judge of all. He alone determines where favor rests. He anoints one for greatness and brings another one down to his knees." As incredible as this story is, there is something that doesn't happen that is even more incredible to the 12-year slave now second to the king. Joseph has massive power now. Everyone must bow the knee and no one can raise their hand against him but he comes to power with a reputation. He was the man known for raping Potiphar's wife which never happened. Joseph has the opportunity to set the record straight. Any one of us would have taken that promotion and the first order of business is to knock on Potiphar's door and lock up he and his wife but it never happened. Joseph never sets the record straight of his false imprisonment. This has to be one of the greatest accomplishments in Joseph's life. You have the power to control the news, the fate of liars, the prison system and you show mercy and restraint. If Joseph leaves two years earlier, I believe this would not be true. For in the previous chapter, he is wanting people to do for him what only God can do for him. This was a two-year lesson. Joseph learns that God will handle his reputation. He doesn't need a postage, shout it or even fix it. God brought him to the king's court and God will do the rest. One of the things that Solomon Northrup said when he got out of 12 years of slavery was simply this. I want to live a life of integrity then be buried with my father. That sounds a lot like Joseph. He will walk in integrity and one day he will be buried with his father. Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, The Bible, the Word of God. We'll see you tomorrow.