In all things give thanks to God for this is true worship.
One of my favorite story in the Bible is the Joseph story. I am easily drawn to that story because he had such inspiring reverence for God. When his boss’s wife tried to seduce him Joseph rebuffed her by stating how can I do such a wicked thing against God. When the king asked him to interpret his dream Joseph replied I can’t do it but God will give you the answer you seek. After he was pronounced as the prime Minister of the land,he got married and then named his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim. The former name means God has made me forget all my troubles and all my father’s household while the latter means God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering. Friends we live in days and times where nothing is really certain anymore except our closeness or nearness to God Who alone knows what the future holds and who has promised us the gift of eternal life only if we will acknowledge Him.
Joseph’s story is told in Genesis (37–50). Joseph, most beloved of Jacob’s sons, is hated by his envious brothers. Angry and jealous of Jacob’s gift to Joseph, a resplendent “coat of many colors,” the brothers seize him and sell him to a party of Ishmaelites, or Midianites, who carry him to Egypt.
This story shows us that when we fix our gaze on God and choose to rely on him, even the heaviest situations can be made lighter. Remember that “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who Love Him” (Romans 8:28).
And we pray:
You are the lifter of my head. As Joseph was lifted from the dungeon to become the second in command in Egypt, Lord, lift me up wherever the sole of my feet touches in Jesus name. Amen.
Genesis 41:16 – So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
Why Great Men in the Bible Prayed: Miracle Stories of the Power of Prayer – Joseph
Have you asked yourself why great men and women in the Bible, powerful as they were, still prayed?
We’ll share stories from three prayerful characters in the Bible:
- Joseph
- Daniel
- Esther
Joseph – Once An “Ambitious” Dreamer
You’ve probably already heard of Joseph “the dreamer.”
He grew up to be his father Jacob’s favorite son. Jacob even made him a beautiful, colorful coat (Genesis 37:3, ESV). Hence, his eleven brothers became jealous of him.
Besides, Joseph would share his dreams, wherein his family would someday worship him.
For instance, eleven bundles of grain bowed to his pile. Also, the sun (his father), moon (his mother), and eleven stars (his brothers) worshipped him (verses 7-9).
For his brothers, Joseph was a very ambitious dreamer. Would you also call him such?
One day, they plotted to kill him. Specifically, they threw him alive into a well and sold him to the Egyptian merchants as a slave (verses 12-36).
If you were Joseph, what would you do?
Character Tested
Joseph’s life as a slave in Egypt was tough. For instance, Potiphar’s wife imprisoned him for a crime he didn’t commit (Genesis 39).
Can you imagine this?
Nevertheless, Joseph became a blessing to his inmates by interpreting their dreams through prayer and divine wisdom. Significantly, his predictions came true (Genesis 40).
Do you know someone with this God-given talent and wisdom?
Later, one of Joseph’s inmates, who was a cupbearer, was released. When Pharaoh dreamed, the cupbearer remembered Joseph and recommended him to interpret the king’s dream.
Through prayer, Joseph determined the dream’s interpretation (Genesis 41:1-36). Specifically, there would be seven years of abundance and another seven years of famine all over Egypt and neighboring nations.
As such, he advised the king to store up grain in preparation for the famine. Convinced by this counsel, Pharaoh made him governor of Egypt (verses 37-57).
Became The Fulfillment of His Dreams
One day, ten men from Israel came to buy food (Genesis 42-46). Joseph recognized them as his brothers, but they didn’t yet. So, he took the opportunity to test how they had changed through the years.
Convinced by their honesty and sincerity after a series of tests, Joseph finally revealed himself. Can you imagine how dramatic this revelation was?
More so, when he asked his brothers to bring their father and youngest brother, it was an unforgettable reunion.
Have you experienced something like this? How much do you think prayer helped Joseph get through all these?
Became The Fulfillment of His Dreams
Joseph, Daniel, and Esther are just a few of the Bible’s best examples of prayer and faith.
In the case of Joseph and Daniel, you can see that prayer was significant in interpreting dreams. As humans like us, they had no power to determine their prophetic meanings.
Hence, they needed God’s wisdom because only He knows the future. He is in control of the universe and everything that happens in it.
Meanwhile, Esther knew she had no power to control her king’s decision. Neither could she convince Haman to take down his deceitful plan.
Thus, prayer was all that she had to get through the trial. As you have seen from her story, she did her part and surrendered the rest to God.