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Genesis 37-50 – Praying through the Bible #20 – A Prayer Evident Life
No prayers of Joseph or conversational interactions between him and God are recorded in Genesis. Neither are there examples of his “calling on the name of the Lord” or altar building. Since “Praying through the Bible” emphasizes prayer and prayer-like passages, should I include him?
If I did, it would not be just because Joseph is a type of Christ, sold for silver, “resurrected” out of the pit and lifted to a powerful throne. If I did, it would not be just because Genesis emphasizes Joseph as much as Abraham, even though Jesus is not descended from Joseph. Comparatively speaking, Joseph is far more imitable than Jacob, Isaac and in some ways Abraham. No, if I include Joseph, it would be because it is evident prayer is an intricate and essential aspect of Joseph’s life. How could he survive his life without prayer?
Without prayer, how could Joseph emotionally survive the violence of being stripped of his varied colored coat, thrown into a waterless pit, endure the callousness of his brothers sitting around eating, and being betrayal (Gn 37.23-28)? Could I survive family dysfunction without prayer?
Without prayer, how could Joseph be strong enough to withstand the sexual allures of his master’s wife, unwilling to betray either his owner or his God, and then being falsely accused, convicted and punished (39)? Could I survive lusts and lies without prayer?
Without prayer, how could Joseph, imprisoned, retain the character and fortitude to again rise in the ranks, helping Pharaoh’s Cupbearer and Baker by interpreting their dreams, all along giving God the credit, and yet suffering from the forgetfulness of the Cupbearer for 2 years (40)? Could I survive being forgotten without prayer?
Without prayer, how could Joseph interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, impressing him so as to be raised for the third time to second in command, ruling the kingdom of his enslavement, while again always and only giving God the glory (41)? Could I survive the success without prayer?
Without prayer, how could Joseph after 22 years of separation from his family learn to forgive, not grow bitter, and find providential rule in his life, accepting God planned his family’s evil for good (42-50)? Could I survive being used by God without prayer?
If I did include Joseph, it’s because although unrecorded, evidently, he survives by prayer. Do we?
Prayer Challenge: Examine our life honestly. This itself requires prayer. Even without observers seeing me pray, do they see prayer in the way I react to life, family, success, disappointment, pain, suffering, betrayal, bitterness, lies and such?
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