Here Comes Another

Genesis 40:2-4, 20-22; Genesis 41:39-41

And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers. And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

God holds you responsible for what you handle. Joseph was locked up in the dungeons; even there, he assumed responsibility for those under his care. Here he is without hope or an end in sight. He is already chatting with the other prisoners, has Scripture study, prayer meeting, prophecy classes arranged, and even has time to say thus says the Lord. This is why I think that Joseph knew half the secrets of Pharaoh's courts and of the streets too. Man had plans to keep him in bondage, but God elevated Joseph where he was. Some of you are waiting for the situation to change. God is calling you to be elevated where you are until he brings you out. He has called you to be obedient where you are until he brings you through. You should continue until the prison doors swing open or God calls you into a different position. There is some backstory about how Joseph found himself in prison. After he got to Egypt, he was sold to a man named Potiphar according to Genesis 39:1. There, his wife falsely accused him, causing Joseph to flee from her presence in Genesis 39:10-20. For doing right, he was imprisoned. See, Jesus preached the gospel, at 1 Peter 3:19-20, to those angels imprisoned long ago who left their first estate. Unlike Joseph, these angels left their calling, their post, and their position. You know what, God's grace is even in the leaving. God will make you to be elevated where you are. Maybe he went to preach the gospel to them because they were so busy preaching it to others. Despite not being called any more, not being qualified any more, and not having the authority or the position anymore, God is using your no more to accomplish his.

And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand: But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Joseph found plenty of people to appreciate what God had given him while in Egypt. See, God sent him to a land of opportunity. The strange land is one of new beginnings, new experiences, new places and new opportunity thanks to God. Joseph found while there the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. Finally, he found himself setting up underneath Pharaoh. Imagine Joseph saying that he did not have a home, a family anymore, nor is he with the people of God. Joseph, however, had a woman waiting for him when he get out of prison for something he did not do. While Joseph was in prison, he did not have to struggle like his family back home. He was fed, clothed, and wanted for nothing inside. He even had friends in his corner. Look, Joseph met the Butcher, leader of Hezbollah, who failed in his duties to execute a man; they had prayer meeting every week. Look, Joseph met the Baker, someone who tried to stage a coup to become the next Pharaoh due to line of succession. He was jailed because they found out in time. One of these was hung and the other forgiven. The text says, man remembered Joseph in Genesis 41:9; see, God had never forgotten about him. Pharaoh said 'bring him here to me.' This man knew half the secrets of Pharoah's house down in the dungeons and those were just the most notable ones. He had not told anyone but themselves; for this, he seemed like the most trustworthy person there.

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 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. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

Pharaoh tells Joseph that he will make him his chief of staff and co-ruler of the people. Look at how God fixed the situation. Joseph's wife was Potiphara's daughter according to Genesis 41:50-52. Joseph had been given position and authority under Pharaoh. When the time came, who should God come dragging in, but Joseph's old family. See, God would have fulfilled his promises even without the brothers' intentions had they done nothing. Look at how much more God magnified the situation. The lesson learned from Joseph is that what you meant for evil, God will use for good. He is the God of the turnaround, folks. The situation was headed towards death and destruction, a dark pit where few others have dwelt. It was headed towards life without parole. It was headed towards a life of servitude in a stranger's house. It was headed towards a life of lovelessness and loneliness with no family, no friends, and no children. Joseph had only Jesus. How many of you know when you have no one you still have Someone. Somebody give God your best praise. No matter where you are, he means to turn even that for your good and for his glory. We praise him not because of who we are but because of who he is. He meant the situation for good. The God of the turnaround will make sure you are not broke no more. You are not by yourself no more. You are not trapped no more. You are not stuck no more. You have purpose, a mission, and a meaning by his grace and for his glory. You have because of him. When you had nothing, he has everything. When he had nothing, we had everything because of 2 Corinthians 8:9.

Through his poverty we are made rich, not with money but in eternal life. Because of this, God has "highly exalted him and given him a name" above all others in Philippians 2:9. Thus, we are seated with him in the Heavenly places. For Jesus's sacrifice, God has put all things under his feet and committed all judgement unto the Son. If he himself spared not his own Son, how much more will we not escape the life of whom we serve as Romans 8:32 states. Look at something for a minute with me here. 1 Peter 3:19 speaks of Jesus going to preach to the imprisoned spirits who were disobedient long ago in the days of Noah. This verse cross-references with the book of Enoch. Enoch is an apocryphal book which should have been included in the cannon of Scripture. However, it was decided unnecessary by the council who met to decide which written books to include. While one should read such things with caution due to the higher probability of finding error therein, the book of Enoch describes another time. During this time, the sons of God, the angels, went out with the daughters of men. This resulted in great wickedness and giants in those days. Furthermore, Genesis 6:4 also corroborates this account of the situation.

We know the angels desired to look into these things experienced by humanity as in 1 Peter 1:12. Look into such things some did. Enoch makes it clear the angels who did such were cursed to be imprisoned spiritually. Jesus, being not above the rules, also went to the same place to preach the gospel to such being human, angelus, and himself deity. Peter says he went to preach to those disobedient long ago during the days of Noah. In Jude 1:6, those who both left their position and their habitation were reserved in chains of everlasting darkness for the final judgement. The purpose of sharing such a tale is to show the greatness and goodness of our God. This is how even he will take anything and use it for his glory. He is the God of the turnaround. "He ascended on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts to" man according to Ephesians 4:8. Once termed not the people, now they are the people and the spirits of the righteous made perfect in Hebrews 12:23. Thus, we see the eternal love story on display between God and man. Do not tell me it will not work out when you have not seen the end of the book yet.