Awaiting Providence

As I have expressed time and again on this blog, one of the greatest reasons for continuous Bible study is the fact that no matter how many times you've read a passage, there's always something new to glean from it. This morning, as I read the assigned Scriptures in the Chronological Reading Schedule (that we're doing at the Queen Way church of Christ), I came across a very subtle yet powerful lesson in Genesis 40.

The story of Joseph is perhaps the greatest biblical illustration of God's providence - what it is and how it works. God had great plans for Joseph, and yet the circumstances of his life didn't seem to reflect greatness. He was betrayed and sold by his brothers into slavery in Egypt, was harrassed by his master's wife, falsely accused and ultimately imprisoned.

We know that "the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him" (Gen. 39:21), and the implication is that Joseph remained steadfast in his faith in God, but again...there is at this point in his life an undeniable disconnect between his earlier dreams of grandeur (given by God) and the circumstances in which he found himself.

We know that during this time, "the word of the Lord tested him" (Psalm 105:19). In other words, Joseph still had free-will, and still could choose his course. He could have chosen to sleep with Potiphar's wife. He could have chosen to embrace the paganism of Egypt. He could have chosen to become bitter and angry at God. He could have been puffed up with pride by his success even as a slave in Potiphar's house and then in prison.

But what was going through Joseph's mind? Do you think he recalled those earlier dreams and visions that promised greatness and power? Was he losing his patience with God? Perhaps he was confused...or perhaps he had become jaded by the unfortunate series of events that had led him to this Egyptian prison.

All the while, God was testing Joseph as Psalm 105 indicates...observing Joseph's thoughts, his words and his actions...waiting to see how Joseph would respond.

And this brings us to Genesis 40:7.

The Pharaoh's butler and baker had been thrown into prison and Joseph was assigned to attend to their needs (vs. 4). One night, both men had dreams from God, and the following morning, they were both "dejected" (vs. 6). Notice what happened next...

"When Joseph came to them in the morning and observed them, behold, they were dejected. And he asked Pharaoh's officials who were with him in confinement in his master's house, 'Why are your faces sad today?'"

Joseph had every reason, you might say, to be bitter and angry. And yet in the midst of all the uncertainty in his life, did he sit around sulking or complaining? Did he become self-absorbed? Was he trying to exalt himself and force God's hand? Did he take matters into his own hands?

What did Joseph do while he was awaiting God's providence?

He showed kindness!

And do you know what? His kindness and care is what prompted these two men to open up to him about their dreams, which in turn gave Joseph the opportunity to interpret their dreams...which ultimately led him into the very presence of Pharaoh...and to the greatness that God had promised him over a decade earlier!

We often find ourselves awaiting providence...wondering when and how God will act in our lives. Joseph teaches us that instead of forcing the issue, and instead of growing bitter and angry and impatient, we ought to simply go about our daily business and strive to be godly people. God's plan will unfold in the proper time. Until then, be who God has called you to be NOW.