Tag Archives: Waiting Longer than You Expected

It was King Solomon who first said, “many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s purpose prevails, Proverbs 16:9. Since the Old Testament wasn’t written at the time of his life, Joseph had to learn this valuable life lesson on his own. When the Chief Butler of Pharaoh was restored to his position in the king’s palace, Joseph expected to be out of prison once what was promised to him was fulfilled. Two years later, Joseph was still in prison as the butler quickly forgot about Joseph.

And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph and said to him, In my dream I saw a vine before me, ¹⁰ And on the vine were three branches. Then it was as though it budded; its blossoms burst forth and the clusters of them brought forth ripe grapes [almost all at once].¹¹ And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup; then I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. ¹² And Joseph said to him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. ¹³ Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will again put Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, as when you were his butler. ¹⁴ But think of me when it shall be well with you and show kindness, I beg of you, to me, and mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house, Genesis 40:9-14.

While praying in the Garden of Gethsemane in the early morning on Good Friday, one of Jesus’ disciples overheard a spiritual truth spoken by Jesus. “God’s spirit is willing, but the human body is weak, ” Matthew 26:41. At this pivotal movement, Jesus recognized that individuals don’t always do what they promise. Jesus waited 33 years to fulfill God’s will for His life, but on that final day and all the drama recorded in the Bible likely made time stand still for the son of God.

After two full years, Pharaoh dreamed that he stood by the river [Nile]. ² And behold, there came up out of the river [Nile] seven well-favored cows, sleek and handsome and fat; and they grazed in the reed grass [in a marshy pasture]. ³ And behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river [Nile], ill favored and gaunt and ugly, and stood by the fat cows on the bank of the river [Nile]. ⁴ And the ill-favored, gaunt, and ugly cows ate up the seven well-favored and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. ⁵ But he slept and dreamed the second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came out on one stalk, plump and good. ⁶ And behold, after them seven ears [of grain] sprouted, thin and blighted by the east wind. ⁷ And the seven thin ears [of grain] devoured the seven plump and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream, Genesis 41:1-7.

Yet, in today’s featured passage, the Lord provides a glimpse of the future 14 years. As Jospeh provides the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams, time is of the essence. According to Moses in Genesis 41:30-36, God gives Joseph a plan of action to make the most of the 7 years of abundance. As if waiting for this day his entire life, Joseph aces this interview with Pharaoh, hired on the spot to be governor of Egypt. All of his time spent waiting finally pays off as Joseph discovers God’s will for his life.

by Jay Mankus