# 396 The Rapid Turnaround

The Book of Genesis

Day 396

Ge 41:37 So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.  38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?"  39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.  40 "You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you."  41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."  42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.  43 And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, "Bow the knee!" So he set him over all the land of Egypt.  44 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."  45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.  46 Joseph was thirty 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.

Pharaoh and his advisors really liked the plan of Joseph’s. Given the nature of politics, I wonder which one of the servants was secretly going over their acceptance speech thinking that Pharaoh would appoint them to this important task. Well, they were in for a surprise as Pharaoh acknowledges that this ex-con Joseph, is the only person who has a direct pipeline with the Spirit of God. Remember, no one else in the land was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dream  and give him peace. 

Therefore he says, “since God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.” So it wasn’t JUST the interpretation of the dream that captivated Pharaoh, he also rightly felt that God had given Joseph this plan to save Egypt.

At this point Pharaoh looks at Joseph and says, “You are the man!” You’re in charge Joseph, make this happen! I will be the only one higher than you in the land. He gave him his signet ring, (that’s the royal charge card folks) He gave him royal clothing, royal jewelry, and a stretch limo! When Joseph came to town people would make way for him and honor him as such an office demanded. (Would that our nation would once again behave honorably toward our elected officials as the Bible demands! Ro 13:7 says, “ Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”)

Joseph was given absolute authority by Pharaoh himself and to further demonstrate his inclusion in the royal family, he was given an Egyptian bride. All this for a 30 year old ex-con, who has been in slavery for 13 years! Yesterday, Joseph was rotting away in jail, seemingly a forgotten man, today, he is second in charge in one of the mightiest nations on earth! Is God amazing or what? Can He make moves on governments or what?  Pr 21:1 says, “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

Much more could be said here about God’s rule in the hearts of kings, but let it be enough that you know and believe that every ruler is like putty in the hands of God. He has a reason for that particular man or woman to be in office. Sometimes for our blessing and sometimes for judgment!

The other thing we should note here is the speed of this turnaround for Joseph. You see, we are all like Joseph in that we are slaves.  Slaves to sin, original and otherwise. Do you realize how quickly things can change upon conversion to Christ? How long have you been or were you a prisoner of sin? Do you realize that God wants to set you free? Do you realize that He wants to make you a child of the King? He wants to bestow you with His gifts and power, just as He did for Joseph! And do you know that HE can do it in an instant? The moment you turn to Him and believe what He says about His Son Jesus, it is accounted to you as righteousness and  you become His child!