The Calling of Joseph
“Normal” for calling/purpose difference between everyday tasks
Genesis 37, 39-50
Calling: An inner urge or a strong impulse, especially one believed to be divinely inspired.
A calling is not “normal” but divine. God’s calling brings other people along.
Good morning ladies, this topic is close to my heart and even in this study God has shown me some things. First, I thought about several people in the bible who had a calling. Some of them are big names like Moses, Jonah, Esther, David. They are mostly known for one pivotal moment when their calling was “activated.” Then I thought of the unnamed people in the bible whose calling was just as important but not as grand as parting the red sea, being swallowed by a fish because of rebellion, or risking your life before a king. The boy who had the fish and the loaves was called to share what he had, and Jesus multiplied this provision for over 5,000 people. The widow with the oil was called to faith to pour her oil into all the empty vessels and in doing so provided oil for others while securing her future provision. The woman in Bethany was called to worship, as she poured the expensive perfume over Jesus, anointing him for burial, before he went to the cross. In all these events, the people of God were freed, blessed and saved! Now let’s talk about Joseph and his calling.
Joseph had a dream, as many 17-year-olds do, of fame and position, but how disastrous it would have been for him to have walked into it at that time. When his brothers sold him into slavery, they did not know human failures and misdeeds are always part of God’s plans.
Joseph’s life had its up and downs. He was the favored son, then he was sold. He was the head of house of Potiphar then he was thrown in prison. He oversaw the prison, then he was forgotten. Through it all, Joseph proved himself to be anything but normal. The bible says God showed him favor and gave him success in everything he did. Gen 37:7-8. Joseph demonstrated excellence in his work, integrity in his character, humility before God, he helped others (dream interpretation) even from prison and offered Pharaoh a solution to his problem, which landed him the job of CEO of Egypt! He was now positioned for his calling, 23 years after his dream.
After 7 years, as CEO, he became a father and we see the change of heart that propelled him further into his calling. In Genesis 41: 50-52 we read, “50 Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.” 52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Here we see result of growth, maturity, wisdom, gratitude, grace, perspective, and forgiveness that only came because of this time of “training and preparation” before God’s calling on his life came to full fruition, literally. Joseph’s sons were born right before the famine, which is when his brothers came to buy grain. How different would the story have been if Joseph had not reached this realization at this time?
In Genesis 42 we read, “And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.” At this moment, I imagine a rush of memories must have flooded through the mind of Joseph, the “Aha” moment, because a couple of verses later we read “And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them.” This was the precise moment God had orchestrated for Joseph to walk in.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Our calling is for a season, often the preparation takes way longer than the time we are walking in it. But if we are faithful in the “normal” things of work, relationships, service, character, the areas God uses to daily prepare us for the “greater work,” we will be able to step into our calling ready to carry it out.
In Genesis 50:20-21, we see that Joseph’s calling was complete, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus, he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
In Exodus 1:6,8 we read that “Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation…. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph”
I want to encourage you to pay attention to the day to day training that God is providing. Be diligent, like Joseph, to work in excellence, efficiency, innovation, service, problem solving, creating and softening your heart in the ways of truth, grace, forgiveness and love. So that when the appointed time has come, we too can walk into and fulfill the calling God has on our lives.