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Joseph

(A lesson in enduring process)

Joseph’s purpose was to deliver his people from famine. For this task he would need wealth. Not just money…wealth…knowledge, understanding! He would need an understanding of kingdom concepts. Joseph couldn’t learn “kingdom” at home…he had to go through some awful stuff… Joseph’s gifts and abilities were not enough to equip him for his purpose. He had to endure process in order to be able to accomplish his, God ordained, purpose.

Let’s look at these three distinct parts of Joseph’s process:

the Pit, the Prison, and the Palace.

1) The Pit

Gen. 37:24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it. We can see here that it was necessary to know what kingdom is NOT!

2) The Prison

Gen. 41:15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. In this environment we see that Joseph has developed his ability to interpret dreams.

It was also necessary for Joseph to add some things to his ability… Gen. 41:14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. This verse shows that Joseph has learned some things, like how the rulers looked and how they dressed…

3) The Palace

Gen. 41:40 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. Here Joseph is given authority by the ruler of the land. He learns through the exercising of his authority.

Gen. 41:55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. Only after enduring the planned process of God, was Joseph able to accomplish his purpose.

Gen. 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

REMEMBER…don’t let go of your dream!