READ: Gen. 41:37-57
He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions, to bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his elders wisdom. – Ps. 105:21-22
The wise man Joseph suggested could only be Joseph himself in Pharaoh’s eyes. Joseph was appointed as ruler over all of Egypt. As a sign of his authority, Pharaoh gave him a signet ring, fine garments, and a gold chain around his neck. He was paraded in Pharaoh’s second chariot, with heralds calling for all to bow before him.
Joseph became second in command over the entire nation, endowed with great power. Pharaoh renamed him Zaphnath-Paaneah and gave him Asenath, the daughter of an Egyptian priest, as his wife. This placed Joseph in a foreign, pagan environment where he had to remain steadfast in his faith. The LORD Himself sustained Joseph in this situation.
Joseph, now thirty years old, took his responsibilities seriously. He traveled throughout Egypt to survey the land and determine where to build storage cities. The abundance during the seven years of plenty was so great that the grain could not even be measured.
Before the famine began, Joseph had two sons. He named them Manasseh (“God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house”) and Ephraim (“God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction”). These names reflect Joseph’s deep dependence on and gratitude to the LORD, even in a godless land.
When the seven years of plenty ended, the foretold famine struck not only Egypt but surrounding nations as well. Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to Egyptians and foreigners alike. Through all of this, God’s goodness and faithfulness were evident.
Is Joseph a type of Christ? Why?
Sing: Ps. 105:8