We have come to the pinnacle of success for Joseph. God has placed him in a key position for Egypt which would also affect the lands around Egypt.

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed Joseph in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. Gen. 41-42

I guess we can assume he has had that luxurious bath by now. Not only that, Pharaoh went all out in making sure the people knew about Joseph being second in command..

Pharaoh had Joseph ride in a chariot, and men shouted, “Make way.” Gen. 41:43

Pharaoh also gave him a wife and an Egyptian name, but Scripture continues to refer to him as just “Joseph.”

Earlier, I was trying to figure up how old Joseph might be by this time and there it was in the next verse.

Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out and traveled throughout Egypt.

During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. Joseph collected all the food produced in the seven years of abundance and stored it in the cities.He stored huge quantities of grain like the sands of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure. Gen. 41:46-49

A great harvest indeed. His own household was growing as well. His wife, Asenath, bore him two sons. In traditional Hebrew fashion, he named them intentionally for the meaning of their names.

Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” Gen. 41:51-52

Let’s pause at this point to consider how Joseph’s prayer of Thanksgiving might have gone. Perhaps, like Queen Esther, Joseph was already beginning to see that his life experiences which seemed to be harmful to him, God intended for good.

And so, on this Thanksgiving, as we give thanks for the bounteous blessings and successes God has given us, we are likely to mention delicious food, loving family, freedom in our nation, and freedom in Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

May I encourage you, as perhaps Joseph did, to also consider ways that God has grown you this year in terms of lessons learned from the challenges, failures, or dark days of life. Give thanks for what He has taught you, ways He has helped you overcome, ways He moved in your life if spite of the circumstances. Give thanks for the God-incidents in your life.

Thanksgiving blessings on you, dear readers. I thank God for you.

We will pause for a time before we go on with the rest of Joseph’s story. Next week we will begin to prepare for Christmas.

~ Joyce ~