The central theme of Genesis 40-42 is God's conservation and planning. Especially from Yue Se as a housekeeper in Potiphar (39.4), to the warden (39.22), and then to the Pharaoh's prime minister (4 1.40). The author showed us God's conservatism and his rescue plan. Because it took Yue Se thirteen years to become prime minister, these experiences finally realized his two dreams. Although Yue Se went through a "nightmare period" and the time was delayed, it came true after all.
Thinking and application:
1. God let Yue Se be with him. Yue Se's experience is different from his father's. He didn't have as many experiences as his father Jacob (the experience of Bethel and Yabo Ferry), but he had two dreams of being with God. "God is with him" means that God took the initiative and chose to be with Yue Se. On the surface, Yue Se was a man who was sold to Egypt and worked as a housekeeper in Potiphar's house. He was falsely accused of being in prison and waited in prison for two years. In fact, he is not alone, because God is with him. In the thirty-ninth chapter of Genesis, "The Lord is with him" is mentioned four times (sections 2, 3, 2 1, 23). The name "Lord" is usually used in the case of "Covenant" to show God's commitment and loyalty to him. God remembered his covenant with Abraham, and he was with Yue Se to keep it so that he could save Abraham.
In addition, the existence of God is neither abstract nor invisible. In Yue Se's experience, the existence of God is concrete. How is it reflected? For example, God is Yue Se's favorite in the eyes of authoritative people, Yue Se's talent in management, Yue Se's interpretation of dreams, Yue Se's sin against God, and Yue Se's success. To put it simply, God's presence is a blessing to the people of Yue Se and also to those who have been corrupted by him (39.5). In the Old Testament, the way of God's blessing was on the ground and visible on the surface (Shen XXVIII1-14; Bo 1 2-3，42 12- 17)。 However, in the New Testament era, God's blessings are not necessarily visible on the earth, but often invisible spiritual blessings in heaven (Mt. 51-12, Mt. 619; Oh, my god 1 3-7; Peter 1. 3-4). Although it seems that you can't touch them with your hands, you can feel them completely.
Brothers and sisters, what we need today is the presence of God, especially in adversity or predicament! If God is with us, we need not be afraid under any circumstances, because who is greater than God? (Barro 3 1-39)
? Besides, brothers and sisters, what evidence is there today that God is in your life? Is there a rich life like Yue Se? Or do you get the appreciation of your boss or boss? Or is it going well in what you run or manage? Or do you have faith in God in adversity?
Second, God is the master of history and nursing. God predicted that Abraham's descendants would live in a foreign land for 400 years (XV: 13), and now this happened to Yue Se. Therefore, selling Yue Se to Egypt is an important event to realize the prophecy, which shows that God is the master of history. In addition, Yue Se was a housekeeper in Potiphar's house for eleven years, until he interpreted dreams for Pharaoh's cupbearer and chef in prison. After such a long time, it is still full of divine conservatism. Because if the chef and the chef didn't go down to prison with Yue Se, Yue Se wouldn't have a chance to realize his dream; If you don't have the ability to interpret dreams, you won't get out of prison. So, out of God's concern, Yue Se went to prison and had a dream interpretation, making Yue Se the trusted prime minister of Pharaoh and saving more people, even Jacob's family, in the famine years. By analogy, the chief cupbearer finally got out of prison and forgot about Yue Se for two years, which is also the time for God to wait for him, because it was two years before Pharaoh dreamed.
Brothers and sisters, God has his own time and his own plans and care. Therefore, many times, we need patience and hope, waiting for his time to come. Especially in this plague scene, we should trust this historical Lord and pray for his help. As George Mill said, "If you walk with God, look up to him and expect his help, he will never let you down." So, please believe him!