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Today we continue our series entitled, “Faith and Patience Volume IV — The Wonder Twins”. I am using Joseph as a good example of our need for patience. We are seeking to learn from the different phases of Joseph’s life. Let’s get into it.
(James 1:2-4 TPT)
2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!
3 For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things.
4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
(Ecc 3:1 ERV)
There is a right time for everything, and everything on earth will happen at the right time.
I will cover Genesis 42:25-33 today in the story of Joseph.
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. Setting the stage.
Joseph kept Simeon and he sent the other 9 brothers back home with sacks of grain. As an act of grace, Joseph chose not to take their money. He put it in one of the sacks of grain. Joseph also ordered his men to give the Hebrews food for the road. Joseph was being kind.
The brothers loaded up and set off. They stopped for the night and during their pause, they took the time to look in the bags. It was then that they realized their money was in one of the bags. The brothers were both puzzled and frightened. They asked each other, “What’s God doing to us?” They did not know that God was showing them favor through Joseph.
When they got back to Canaan they told their father Jacob what happened. They said, “The man, who is the lord of the land, spoke roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country” (v.30). I feel led to focus on the fact that Joseph was referred to as, “the lord of the land.” In verse 33 he is actually referred to as “the lord of the country.”
I do a teaching entitled, “Kings and Priests.” I feel led to share some of that today, based on verses 30 and 33. It’s not directly related to patience, but it is connected to faith. We must have the faith to become ALL that God has called us to be, in this earth, before we die.
2. God lets us rule as Kings and Priests in the earth.
As believers, we normally reserve the title “Lord” for God Himself. However, it was a common word in Biblical times. The Hebrew word translated lord in Gen 42:30 and 33 is not the same word used for God. It is a word (Hebrew ‘adon). This word means: “one who possesses absolute control.” This word is used for a master or ruler. Along those lines, Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines lord as: “A master; a person possessing supreme power and authority; a ruler; a governor.” The point I am making is that Joseph was in a position of high authority and it was the will of God. He was the Lord of the land and he was performing the will of God for his life.
Many Christians today believe our rule and reign will come in heaven, in the sweet by-and-by. But they don’t see themselves prospering or operating in authority while in the earth. It is almost as if their hope is deferred and their expectation is on time-delay because they don’t ever see themselves getting ahead down here (in the earth). That is simply NOT the will of God.
In the last book in the Bible, in John’s opening chapter, he wrote, “May kindness and peace be yours from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. Jesus was the first to conquer death, and He is the ruler of all earthly kings. Christ loves us, and by his blood he set us free from our sins. He lets us rule as kings and serve God his Father as priests. To him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.” (Rev 1:5,6). In this text we see God telling us through John that He is the ruler of all earthly kings. He further explains that He lets us rule as kings and priests in the earth. The King James Version says, “Jesus has made us kings and priests unto God.” This is not a reference to heaven, but rather an assignment in the earth.
Don’t live your life simply focused on leaving the earth and going to heaven someday. Live your life focused on bringing heaven to the earth every day.
3. Understanding our assignment as Kings and Priests.
God has made us both kings and priests in the earth (Rev 1:5,6).
In the Old Testament, one of the roles the Priests filled was that of intercessor or intermediary between God and man. The Priest would stand before the people to hear their concerns and then take those concerns to God. In like manner, he would stand before God, hear would God had to say, and then go back to communicate to the people what God said. Under this system, there was one tribe of Priests and 11 tribes of Kings or leaders. The Priest was supposed to tell the Kings/leaders what God said, and the Kings/leaders would then go out and do battle WITH THE ADVANTAGE of having heard from God. This advantage would help them WIN in life. When they returned from their victories, they brought back a portion of the spoils the Priests as an offering. Let’s apply this to today:
a) In one sense, instead of having one tribe or Priests and 11 tribes of Kings, we have the five-fold ministry gifts (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers – see Eph 4:11) as the Priests and the rest of the Body of Christ as the Kings. The Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers hear from God and share what God said, and the rest of the Body of Christ goes out to the world to do the Lord’s bidding with the advantage of divine insight received through the Lord’s appointed servants.
b) In another sense, you actually fill both roles. While your Pastor should serve in the role of “Priest” in your life at church, you are supposed to be the priest of your own home. You can pray, seek God’s face, and hear from heaven. In this way, you can operate as both a Priest (receiving spiritual insight) and a King (walking in God’s natural blessing) in this world.
c) David explained this well. He said, “By considering your commands I have an edge over my enemies, for I take seriously everything you say.” (Psalm 119:98 TPT). David acknowledged the fact that he had an advantage over his enemies because he had access to God’s words and divine revelation. It was the same with Joseph and Pharaoh. The reason why Egypt was the ONLY nation in the region with food during 7 long years of famine was because God revealed it to Joseph. The revelation from God gave Egypt an advantage. What was true for David and Joseph is true for you. When you receive God’s insight — either through His Word or by His Spirit — and you apply what He revealed to your daily life, it gives you a clear advantage over those who don’t have this insight. They are wandering their way aimlessly through life, while you are walking out your divine purpose. There is a huge difference!
d) In business today many leaders and corporations hire consultants. They do so because they believe the information they will receive from the consultants will give them an advantage when attempting to win critical business. As a sitting King, David was saying that the best consultant you can secure is God Himself. Joseph knew this well. And the good news is that God’s consultation is free. His counsel is made readily available in His Word and He is always speaking to us by His Spirit. If you read God’s Word and listen to His Spirit, and then base your decisions on what God revealed, you will have an advantage in business and in life. You will be living as a Priest, hearing from God, and a King, going out into the world to conquer and win!
4. The Kingdom is NOW!
a) God’s Kingdom has come. His will is to be done, NOW, on earth, as it is in heaven. If it is going to happen it has to happen through us!
b) You don’t have to wait until you get to heaven to be blessed. God wants His people to operate with the power to make the decisions that impact the lives of others in this world. If you allow God to use you in this way, the Kingdom of God is able to impact and influence the people and the systems of this world.
c) Operate as both a King and a Priest. Not only does God want you to be in charge, but He also wants you to pray for those He gives you charge over. Don’t get so caught up in being a King that you forget to be a Priest!
d) God elevates His children to natural positions of authority so He can open natural doors to make a spiritual difference. Remember, the purpose of prosperity is evangelism!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, You made plans for me before the world began. You planned to use me as both a King and a Priest in the earth. You elevate me to positions of authority and You bless me richly because I am submitted to You in all my ways. You have no problem putting me IN authority, because You know I am UNDER Your authority. You glorify me, so that I may glorify THEE! You open natural doors for me and when You do, I am able to make both a natural and a spiritual difference. I lead with courage and compassion. I make decisions that are bathed in prayer. You make Kingdom impact through me every day! Living this way I know that GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
