Life of Joseph – Part 37 – Officially Settled

Sometimes we have to depend on our children or younger siblings . . . or possibly associates that are younger than us . . . to be our leaders in certain situations. It’s not always about age.

Joseph was the next to the youngest sibling, but because of his position in Egypt, his experience in that culture, and his relationship with Pharaoh, Joseph’s father and brothers trusted his judgment, followed his lead, and did and said what he told them to during the critical time when they were getting established in their new home.

I believe that we do the opposite sometimes. We automatically assume that the older person in the group should be the leader. That the one with the most overall life experiences will be able to make the wisest decisions. That the one who’s been the church member, believer, teacher for the longest period of time should, without fail, be chosen as the mouthpiece of the group.

But I believe that could very easily be a mistake.

Sometimes it has more to do with who is more experienced in the area of expertise that is required in a particular situation.

And sometimes I believe we would get more positive results if we allowed the person with the most-needed relationship handle the communications.

And sometimes I think we just need to pray and ask God to show us who He wants us to follow . . . who He has granted favor in this situation . . . who He has chosen to be His mouthpiece.

And then we have to trust that leader’s judgment as to who represents us and what is to be said and how much facetime we each have with the higher-ups.

TRUTHS:

– Just because the entire family is now on the scene doesn’t mean the mouthpiece changes . . . it should remain the person with the most experience with that culture and the one with the best relationship with the leadership.

– It is not always necessary to share everything. Share what is necessary and appropriate . . . especially with leadership.

– Sometimes being willing to perform the jobs that aren’t as high-profile and are less appreciated gives you more personal freedom and opens doors to more opportunities.

– People with a negative outlook on life seldom get more positive with age.

– Sometimes we have to move from where we are . . . even if it was previously a favored place . . . in order for God to bless us like we want and need Him to.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

– When have I relinquished leadership to someone younger than me? What were their qualifications?

– When have I learned the hard way that I don’t need to share all the details . . . especially with those in leadership?

– What position have I taken that wasn’t as high-profile as I would have liked . . . but gave me more freedom and opportunities than I originally thought it would?

– Is my outlook more positive or negative? Do I see it improving or digressing as I age?

– When have I had to move from a previously favored place to a new place in order to receive everything God had for me? In what area of my life today is God asking me to “move” in order for Him to bless me like He wants to?

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Genesis 47:1-12 / Amplified Bible (AMP)

47 Then Joseph came and told Pharaoh, My father and my brothers, with their flocks and their herds and all that they own, have come from the land of Canaan, and they are in the land of Goshen.

² And from among his brothers he took five men and presented them to Pharaoh.

³ And Pharaoh said to his brothers, What is your occupation? And they said to Pharaoh, Your servants are shepherds, both we and our fathers before us.

⁴ Moreover, they said to Pharaoh, We have come to sojourn in the land, for your servants have no pasture for our flocks, for the famine is very severe in Canaan. So now, we pray you, let your servants dwell in the land of Goshen.

⁵ And Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, Your father and your brothers have come to you.

⁶ The land of Egypt is before you; make your father and your brothers dwell in the best of the land. Let them live in the land of Goshen. And if you know of any men of ability among them, put them in charge of my cattle.

⁷ Then Joseph brought in Jacob his father and presented him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh.

⁸ And Pharaoh asked Jacob, How old are you?

⁹ Jacob said to Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are 130 years; few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and they have not attained to those of the life of my fathers in their pilgrimage.

¹⁰ And Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.

¹¹ Joseph settled his father and brethren and gave them a possession in Egypt in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses (Goshen), as Pharaoh commanded.

¹² And Joseph supplied his father and his brethren and all his father’s household with food, according to [the needs of] their families.