Called and Chosen to Rule – Joseph the Son of Jacob

Why was Joseph called and chosen to rule over all the land of Egypt? Is it because he had the gift of interpreting dreams? No, the gift is NOT what got him his position!

See, Joseph would never have been called to speak to the Pharaoh and so would not have been given the opportunity to show his God-given discernment and wisdom IF he had not first shown love – concern and compassion  – to his fellow inmates. Here is what the bible says about Joseph:

And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in the custody of his lord’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?” 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 40:6-8

Listen to me and please understand that the reason why God is choosing you to be great is NOT because of your gifts and talents, but because of your heart for His people! If Joseph (though a prisoner himself) had not first taken the initiative to look at his fellow prisoners, he would have missed the opportunity to interpret their dreams. If he had not interpreted the dreams, the butler would not have told Pharaoh about Joseph (see Genesis 41:9-14).

But you are different!  You take the opportunity to look at the people around you. Though you may be in the same situation as they are, you still care enough to take notice of their expression (just like Joseph). You do not want people to be weighed down by sadness, doubt and uncertainty, but you want them to experience joy and peace right in the middle of whatever they are going through. This is why you take the initiative to look at the people! This is what you do when you go about taking notice of where there is need in your outreaches.

But you do not stop there, once you see a need, you are moved with compassion. You care enough to ask people what is wrong with them (just like Joseph). Although you have a destination and an agenda, you create time to be salt and light to those around you. You are NOT like the priest and Levite who were so consumed with their own agenda, but you are as the Good Samaritan who, being moved with love and compassion, stopped to pour out wine (the Holy Spirit) and oil (the anointing or empowerment of the Holy Spirit) on the wounds of the man who was hurt (see Luke 10:34). You are as Jesus, who being anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, went about doing good and healing those who were oppressed of the devil (see Acts 10:38).

But there is more, you are called and chosen to rule today because you also say words of life, truth, wisdom, and encouragement that God gives to you. In your humility, you offer people the water of the word so that they are not left thirsty. Instead, you fill them up and they go about refreshed and encouraged. Oh, how your words have changed the countenance and facial expression of many people around you – all to the glory of God! Just as Joseph offered the prisoners hope that their dreams could be interpreted by saying ‘do not interpretations belong to God’, you are offering people hope through your words

Lastly, you show people love. You just do not tell them that hope exists – by saying God is able – but you actually plead with people to show them the love of God (just like Joseph). You say to people through your actions, ‘You have been hoping that I can help you… I am both able AND willing.’ This is what Joseph did when he not only told the prisoners that God could interpret their dreams but followed it up by actually asking the prisoners to tell him. Remember how the man with leprosy said to Jesus ‘if you are willing, you can heal me?’ Remember how Jesus said ‘I am willing’, and then cleansed him? This is what you are doing when you say ‘tell me your problems so I can offer you the solution’.

Hallelujah! The solution inside of you is Jesus and just like Joseph, you are showing the power of love by looking, asking, saying, and showing.

When you noticed a need and volunteered your gift of interpretation, this is what you did – you showed love.

God is not going to forget that. It is because of this heart of compassion that God will use your gift and talent he has given you to put you in front of Pharaoh. Then you shall be put in charge of the whole land. All this because you have dared to love!

Food for thought: Love is always the key that is propelling you into your destiny. Wait for it, your audience with the Pharaoh is coming!