Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Genesis 41:51-52 NKJV
Joseph’s life was tainted with hardship. As a boy, his brothers taunted him. At the tender age of seventeen, they plotted to kill him and eventually sold him as a slave. This brought Joseph to Egypt where he traveled the rollercoaster of life.
He began with a prominent position working for an important man. Then his boss’s wife falsely accused Joseph of rape. He was thrown into prison, but even there, God showed him favor with the jailer. Joseph used his God-given skills to interpret dreams for two fellow prisoners. Surely, Pharaoh’s cup bearer would remember him after he was released. Joseph anticipated that day, but two years passed before he saw sun streaming from the prison gates. Joseph was finally released. Not only was Joseph free, but he was appointed to the second highest office in Egypt under Pharaoh.
Soon, Joseph married and had two sons of his own. In biblical times, a name meant something, and we can understand how Joseph survived suffering by the names of his boys.
He named his firstborn Manasseh, indicating he had forgotten all his troubles, including his family. Joseph didn’t hold any bitterness towards them, but he also didn’t grieve them any longer. God had given Joseph a mission and a family of his own.
The second son was Ephraim, meaning God had caused Joseph to be fruitful in the land of his affliction. Joseph had become better, not bitter. He had remained faithful, rather than faithless.
What can we gather from Joseph’s life? He accepted God’s plans rather than Joseph’s plans. Jesus called this” denying self” (mat. 16:24 NKJV). Paul says we are not our own for we were bought for a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20 NKJV).
In addition to accepting God’s will, Joseph was content with it. He was at peace because he trusted God.
I want Joseph’s attitude. When I face stormy weather, I immediately want it to cease. Do we pause to consider that God wants us right smack dab in the midst of that storm? Do we acknowledge that the howling winds might be beneficial? Do we gain strength by riding the waves instead of trying to conquer them? Can we believe God is transforming us to be more like Christ?
Friend, what difficult seasons are you facing today? Would you join me and say yes to God? Accept His will with contentment. The day will come when we realize we have forgotten our toil, and we can appreciate God’s fruitfulness in our afflictions. Something better awaits us. Something bigger than the pain we feel today. Hope and peace follow us when we follow God.
Lord, this isn’t going to be easy, but help me as I relinquish Carolyn’s plans and commit to Yours. I will trust You as I follow You. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read the words of Christ in Luke 22:42 (NKJV)
saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
HIKING THE TRAIL
The enemy will be all over us, ladies as we commit to follow God even when we don’t know where it leads. Watch for his attack.
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Originally posted on September 23, 2020 @ 7:53 pm