When I sat down in the quiet stillness of the morning and began to open my Bible I knew I needed something more. More than the usual. Although the usual with God is never ordinary and is always life-giving I somehow felt the need for something more. I needed to be with my Abba, my God, who is also my loving and faithful Father.
My reading plan had me in Genesis, reading about Joseph's experiences in Egypt. Although there is a great deal there to see and to study I have to confess that I wasn't all that interested. Nevertheless, I started in. I read about his ordeal of being sold by slave traders (initially sold to them by his own brothers) to a wealthy Egyptian. I read about him then being cast into prison because of false charges by the man's wife. And then I read of his release and opportunity to impress the Pharaoh as the Pharaoh sought to understand a troubling dream.
After Joseph's explanation the Pharaoh was utterly impressed. Yet as he spoke to the Pharaoh he accepted no praise and explained that God Himself had allowed him to interpret the dream. As I read this part of the story I stopped and thought, what was it about Joseph that caused him in that moment to give all honor to God and save none for himself?
As a young man he had caused division between himself and his brothers by speaking arrogantly about the things the Lord showed him. Years later, he has an incredibly opportunity to seize glory and to take the credit for his incredible vision and gift. He doesn't. He's been changed. He is no longer the Arrogant and selfish young man he used to be.
What was it? This was my question as I considered Joseph's response to Pharaoh. What caused him to speak so humbly of himself, but so boldly of the Lord? I had to stop and look back at the story. What had I missed? I must have read past something too important to miss. I thought to myself, of course his ordeals had pressed him and given him a great deal of time to think, but were these alone enough to bring about such remarkable change?
Then, I found the answer. It's a phrase that is repeated 3 times in chapter 39. How could I have missed it??? Yet, there it was. "The Lord was with Joseph". I suppose it was easy not to give attention to, because it doesn't stand out as a major point of Joseph's experiences. In reality, it is THE major point of Joseph's entire story.
The gravity of God being with Joseph is what he somehow always failed to grasp as a young boy growing up in a very religious and God-fearing household. Yet, in the midst of trial, pain, and isolation this reality begins to shape Joseph. As I thought about this I wanted to be sure I understood this phrase well and that I wasn't overstating what I thought I saw. So, looked up the Hebrew word for with that was used in verse 2.
The definition and descriptions provided left me with no doubt. The meaning for this word at the center of this phrase and for Joseph was one of incredible intimacy. It means to be directly against, as in an embrace. Think of that. In Joseph's darkest and most painful hours and YEARS God was WITH him, embracing him as a Father, even as a Grand-father would hold his young grand-son.
As I began to understand what this text is saying about Joseph, about me, I realized clearly that God had graciously responded to my need. He showed me once again the tremendous significance of being with Him, of being in His presence.
With. It's the very reason God came, that He sent Jesus Christ...to be WITH us, because of His great love for us. I pray you will find yourself with Him today.
