A Picture of Jehovah-Jireh
Prayer:
Jehovah-Jireh, the peace that is mine knowing my God will provide. Whether it be wisdom, health, or my daily bread, You, oh LORD, know my need and give according to Your riches in glory. I want for nothing. Why should I not serve You with all my being? In Jesus’ name, I praise You, my Jehovah-Jireh.
Introduction:
While pondering this lesson, I asked a friend to tell me about a time God had provided for her in an unexpected way. Without hesitation, she typed a two-page letter (we were on AIM) in a matter of minutes, not details of one incident, but many situations that flooded her mind at that moment. She attributed God’s mercy and grace for every aspect of her life.
As I read her declaration of provisions, I felt ashamed. Had I been asked the same question, I doubt if my response would have been as quick or as elaborate. Not that I’m ungrateful for all that Jehovah-Jireh has blessed me with, but I am guilty of taking much of it for granted. I’m going to start a list and add to it daily. If I’m ever put to the test, I want to be prepared to give a quick and sure account.
The Lesson
When put to the test, Joseph had a ready answer for his knowledge and his provisions even in prison.
Two years had past since Joseph had interpreted the dreams of the chief butler and the chief baker (Chapter 40).
Chapter 41 records Pharaoh’s two troubling dreams. In the first dream, he saw seven fat kine and seven famished kine. The seven starving cattle ate the seven fat ones, but still looked ravenous. In the second dream, Pharaoh saw seven full heads of grain and seven sparse heads of grain. As in the first dream, the withered grain devoured the full grain, but the appearance of the scrawny grain had not changed. None of the king’s advisors could interpret them. Then the butler remembered his own dream while in prison and Joseph’s interpretation of it. Immediately, Pharaoh demanded a meeting with the Hebrew prisoner.
Acknowledging the God of his ancestors as the only one capable of understanding dreams, Joseph informed Pharaoh that God had given the king insight for the future. Both dreams meant the same thing. There would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of great famine.
Thirteen years prior, God had set in motion His provisions for Joseph, the land of Egypt, and the vast communities that would be affected by the coming famine:
1. God granted Joseph the ability to interpret dreams at a young age (chapter 37)
God gave each of us the abilities we need to do the work He sets before us.
And he hath filled him [Bezaleel] with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work. . .even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work (Exodus 35:31 and 35).
2. God placed His man in Egypt (chapter 39)
While God is working out His plan for our lives, we can rest in Him.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:28, 30, 31).
3. God imprisoned His servant (chapter 39)
Understanding is not a prerequisite for following and serving.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:34).
4. God placed the right people in Joseph’s life at the right time (Chapter 40)
Those we least expect often become instrumental in God’s plans for us.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
5. God provided opportunity for Joseph to appear before Pharaoh (chapter 41)
God opens doors for us to accomplish the task He has prepared for us.
Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go (Isaiah 48:17).
6. God imparted wisdom to Joseph (chapter 41)
Wisdom is a precious commodity and should be sought by all believers.
If thou seekest her [wisdom] as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: (Proverbs 2:4, 5, 6, 10, 11).
7. Through Joseph’s obedience, nations were saved (chapter 41)
In obedience, we, too, will be instrumental in other’s salvation.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? (Romans 10:13-15a).
As through Joseph’s obedience many nations were saved, through Jesus Christ’s obedience all nations are saved from the wrath of God. The people in Joseph’s day had to humble themselves to ask for the grain that would sustain them. Likewise, all people must humble themselves before Almighty God and ask for the Bread that will give them eternal life.
Conclusion and Challenge
When in the pit of despair, it helps to recall the circumstances that put me there. I may not see God in every instance, but I do see His provisions more clearly. He has always been there with me and is ever before me, assisting me every step of the way. Turns out, my list of provisions is as much for my edification as it is for a testimony to lift up others.
Most of the time, God’s plans are unbeknown by me. Nevertheless, Jehovah-Jireh knows and will bring to completion the work He has begun in me and in you.