Today we get a taste of what kind of boss Joseph now reports to. I don’t know your history, but I’ve worked for many bosses . . . and their styles have been varied. I’ve worked for bosses who were critical and some who were encouraging. I’ve had supervisors who micro-managed and some who hardly managed. I’ve worked for people who were easy to talk to and some who were totally unapproachable.
I think Pharaoh’s style of supervision we see in today’s passage is excellent. He makes the decision (with input from his team) to give Joseph the responsibility of planning, executing, and following through with a program to save Egypt during the coming famine. Then he allows Joseph the privilege of actually carrying out his plan . . . without interference. What a novel idea!
In verse 55 we see the trust Pharaoh had in Joseph and his plan. When the famine finally hits home, the Egyptians naturally run to Pharaoh to save them. Instead of (1) panicking and second-guessing his earlier decision or (2) seizing the opportunity to be the hero and save the day (and take the credit), Pharaoh told the people to go to Joseph and do whatever he said.
That’s one good boss!
Here is today’s passage.
Genesis 41:53-57 / Amplified Bible (AMP)
53 When the seven years of plenty were ended in the land of Egypt,
54 The seven years of scarcity and famine began to come, as Joseph had said they would; the famine was in all [the surrounding] lands, but in all of Egypt there was food.
55 But when all the land of Egypt was weakened with hunger, the people [there] cried to Pharaoh for food; and Pharaoh said to [them] all, Go to Joseph; what he says to you, do.
56 When the famine was over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians; for the famine grew extremely distressing in the land of Egypt.
57 And all countries came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all [the known] earth.
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Truths:
– (I know you’re possibly tired of hearing this one, but . . . ) What God says will happen . . . happens!
– Good managers don’t jump in and take over when catastrophe strikes. They allow their team to perform their jobs and execute the plan without interference.
– Joseph followed his plan even when pressure was escalating.
– Being prepared for the future allows us opportunities to bless other people when they are in need.
Application Questions:
– When have I taken over and done someone’s job when a catastrophe happened? Why did I do it?
– When have I been allowed to do my job during tough circumstances? How did it make me feel?
– When have I followed my plan even when pressure was high? On the other hand, when have I panicked and reacted to bad circumstances? What was different about the outcomes?
– When have I been able to bless someone because I was prepared for the future?