God Crowns Faithfulness, by Evans Olang

Genesis 40:8,” And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.” …Genesis 41:16, “So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Joseph’s story is one of the most fascinating stories in the bible. Moses spends 13 chapters in telling this magnificent story. Today we look at a man who had interpretations of dreams for others but himself. If you are like me, then you will recall those days you needed answers, direction, comfort, encouragement. Instead of being the one on the receiving end, the Lord sent someone your way and what you shared with them was a confirmation of what God was going to do in their lives, however you were left puzzled about your situation without answers.

This was the story of Joseph who had a dream as recorded in Genesis 37. He had gone through life not understanding it and most likely not realizing it due to his life situations. After many episodes, he ends up in prison, and there joined him two servants of the king, a butler and a baker. In prison, they both had dreams and were bothered by it as they believed there was something significant about the dreams. Joseph inquired after seeing them sad, vs. 8,” And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.” Note something, Joseph who had not understood or realized his dream had faith that God was faithful. His confidence was in the God of the timing. He said God can and He will, in this giving God all the glory. Making God’s name great in a land that served idols. You read further, one was restored and the other hanged as Joseph had interpreted. Then in chapter 41, it was Pharaoh’s turn to have his dream interpreted and again Joseph accredits the ability to God and then interprets.

When he had previously dreamed himself, he remained, for a while, in suspense and doubt respecting the divine revelation; but now he is a certain interpreter providing life answers to others but not his, but God knows. Imagine a guy hired to build homes for people all his life. Good at what he does, he built beautiful homes, he worked hard and diligently but never had one for himself. As time went by, he became very frustrated with his situation and was ready to quit. The one who hired him did not know of his intentions but had something in mind for his next project. After sharing with him of the new house to be built, he was told the project was bigger than what he had done before. He showed him the land, the plan and provided him with all the materials he needed. Since he was frustrated with his situation, he purposed in his heart to do a poor job building it, after all it was for someone else. His employer expected him to do a magnificent job as he had always done. He finally completed the house and returned to his employer to report the job completed. Knowing his work ethic, his employer did not even go to inspect his work, he trusted that he would do a good job. It was at this point that he revealed the purpose for the last project. He said, “because of great years of work, the new house you just built is my gift to you. I had planned it long before, I had seen your years of toiling. I wanted to surprise you with it after you completed it. That is why I gave you a bigger land, good plan and with good materials. Without seeing, I believe you did a superb job”. This man upon hearing these words, stood there stunned because the poor house he built thinking was for someone else, his employer had saved the best for last and he just blew it. And now he was stuck with the poorly done house.

Joseph appears to have been building a house for the baker, the butler and Pharaoh, but God was preparing him, he was building his own house. Notice also, he built them well in spite of him not having one (dream interpreted and fulfilled). 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”, Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart”. 2 Thessalonians 3:13, “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good”. God may send someone your way for ministry, to provide answers while you need the same, be faithful till the end. Blessings Ev