Suddenlies (Genesis 41)

There’s a principle we see in scripture where the Father bears with us long to move suddenly. Like Habakkuk 2:3 says, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” So God’s timing is perfect, but for it may feel like it’s long overdue! (This principle is the heart behind the Silk: Tarries Not.)

We see this principle played out in Genesis 40 and 41 with the story of Joseph. I’m going to begin by looking at the “suddenly” rather than focusing on the tarrying. So let me do a quick outline of some of the chapter. I’m going to start in verse 16 because I think this verse reflects Joseph’s heart and it likely is at least part of the reason God is doing the suddenly.

Honor God

At this point he’s been summoned by Pharaoh and a dream interpretation has been requested of Joseph. This is his response (VOICE):

I cannot do this, but God will answer Pharaoh’s request and relieve your concerns.

This is an interesting contrast to the way he handled things in the previous chapter. In chapter 40 after he gave the baker and cupbearer the interpretations (which he did give credit to God for), Joseph tried to help his situation along himself rather than waiting on God’s timing. You may remember he asks the cupbearer to remember him when he returns to the palace (rather than trusting God to move him from his situation in His timing).

As a matter of fact, in the book of Jasher it says he “…forgot Joseph, and he did not mention him to the king as he promised, for this thing was from the Lord in order to punish Joseph because he had trusted in man.” (I expound on this more fully in a post from a few years back called Trusting in Man (Genesis 40).)

So back to Genesis 41:16, what I find interesting is a complete lack of positioning. He’s just been given kudos, but he does nothing to promote himself. Instead he promotes God. This feels like a heart shift. So our takeaway point here is: wait on God and honor Him trusting that He will move us in His timing and will honor us in the way He chooses.

Let Holy Spirit Move Through You

Next we see Joseph operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. First in verses 25-32, we see him interpret the dream. God downloads the knowledge to him about what it means. Next in verses 33-36, we see God operating in wisdom through Joseph as well because not only did He give him the interpretation, He gives him the wisdom to know what solution will best fit this situation.

The takeaway point in these verses is simple be a yielded vessel. God wants to move through us and as we yield to His Holy Spirit the gifts will be in operations. We just have to get ourselves out of the way. 😉

The Suddenly

Then because Joseph has honored God, we see that reflected in Pharaoh as God does Joseph’s suddenly through him. Lets look at verses 38-41 (emphasis mine):

Pharaoh (to his advisors): Is there anyone else you know like Joseph who has the Spirit of God within him?

(to Joseph) Since God has shown all of this to you, I can’t imagine anyone wiser and more discerning than you. Therefore you will be in charge of my household. All of my people will report to you and do as you say. Only I, because I sit on the throne, will be greater than you. I hereby appoint you head over all of the land of Egypt.

To make sure this dramatic shift in circumstances is honored, God has Pharaoh give great power and authority to Joseph in verses 42-45 (I’ll summarize, but I want to quote part of verse 44) where Pharaoh says, “I am Pharaoh, and I decree that no one may do anything in the land of Egypt without your consent.” That’s a lot of power! And this straight from a prison cell. Here’s a quick recap of the symbols of power and authority Joseph is given:

  • Pharaoh gives his signet ring
  • Dresses him for the part of his #2
  • Gives him the transportation that declares his role
  • Orders everyone to kneel
  • Commands all to yield to Joseph’s authority
  • Marries him off to an influential family

The takeaway point here is that when God does a suddenly, He does it soundly! When He moves, HE MOVES. Trust Him and wait on His timing.

Personal Example

Briefly, I want to share an example of a suddenly that happened in my life. I share the full testimony in the post in my testimony section called I Shall Not Want, but this gives you the highlights to illustrate the point. 

We’d been living in a very lean financial season. One evening in a conversation with the Lord I was pointing out to Him some of the financial obligations that were awaiting funds and the Lord said, “I can tell anyone I want about Dyed4you any time I want to.” In my head I pictured one individual telling one of their friends, I nodded in agreement with His statement, and reiterated my point which I didn’t feel He’d addressed. He responded by reiterating His previous response, and so I let the conversation drop. 

Two days later, on 15 February 2010 (I totally did not plan to do this on the 7th anniversary of this suddenly, but what a fun God wink that it is!), Kim Clement read his Dyed4you silk letter on the air (one of my intercessors at the time had felt led to gift him one). I did a month’s worth of sales in one week. Ultimately, the exposure basically doubled our “normal” sales and that held for YEARS. 

The takeaway point here is to remember God is the one who lifts men up and makes them great, and the silver and gold is all His – so LOOK TO HIM not to man.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12 (VOICE) All that is great and powerful and glorious and victorious and majestic is Yours, O Eternal One. Indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth belongs to You. The kingdom belongs to You, O Eternal One, and You are the head of it all. Wealth and glory come from You, and You rule over them all. In Your hand is power and strength, and You use them to make great and strengthen everyone.

Persisting

This evening God began downloading a new silk called Relentless Faith largely based on the story of the persistent widow. I didn’t catch it until I was partway through this post that the two things are connected because basically we just need to stay in that place of persistent faith of what we KNOW about God, His character, and His truth/words (both logos and rhema). Standing fast in Him is a declaration of trust, which is a powerful form of intercession as well as a declaration of victory.

In Closing

Encourage yourself in your faith. Don’t grow weary in the wait. I’ll leave you with this visual reminder as to why we should always persist. It says it all: You never know how close you are. (I apologize for not crediting the image, but I don’t know who made it! If you do, please let me know so I can acknowledge them.)

5 Replies to “Suddenlies (Genesis 41)”

  1. Again, this is incredibly timely. For me to stumble upon your blog again after several years and reading these recent posts is divine. The past few weeks have been difficult financially for us, and we have experienced some “suddenlies” (an outpouring of love from friends through prayers as well as job offers the same day as being laid off) and some “tarrying” (the waiting game to see if a job position comes through). I know that God is working on our behalf and we have an unwaivering faith in His provision. Waiting is definitely humbling and requires an extreme amount of faith, but we have so much peace right now, it’s incredible. I know that an abundant blessing is coming very soon.

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