In the continuing series considering the life of Joseph, the Very Rev Colin Sinclair describes how the prisoner experiences a dramatic change in circumstances.

I WONDER if you believe, deep down, that God is in charge?

How big is your God? What would Joseph have said, after he had been in prison for two long years? It may have seemed that he had reached the end of the road. Everything he had tried had led nowhere. Even the fellow inmate he had helped forgot him when he was released. It is hard to keep trusting, praying and serving after seemingly been kicked in the teeth.

So much of what goes on around us can seem to make little sense. The list of questions we have goes on and on. Most of the time we can’t see any clear answers, but then perhaps we just see life as through a key-hole and don’t see the whole picture.

Joseph’s experience is a case in point. He is about to discover that his two years in prison were not wasted. In fact they prepared him for a future only God could see. Chapter 41 tells us the unlikely path that led Joseph from the prison to the palace. Dreams again play a central part, but this time God gives two bizarre dreams to Pharaoh that no-one could interpret. Though Pharaoh was the mightiest person on earth he was helpless to understand his own dream.

It was then something clicked, as God jogged the cup-bearer to remember Joseph, whom he had conveniently airbrushed from his memory. He stepped forward and shared his experience of Joseph while in prison. The timing of his recall was perfect. Suddenly Joseph found himself being taken from prison, dressed in fresh clothes, and brought before Pharaoh. As the court looked on, an unknown Hebrew slave stood before Pharaoh. How quickly life can turn around.

“ Most of the time we can’t see any clear answers, but then perhaps we just see life as through a key-hole and don’t see the whole picture.

Twenty-four hours earlier no-one could have predicted this, least of all Joseph.

Pharaoh invites him to interpret his dream, but Joseph insists all the credit if he does so will belong to God. The interpretation is a good news - bad news situation. There will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine; the bad years will be worse than the good. Both dreams carry the same message to reinforce the point, as if to say “Pharaoh, you had better take this warning seriously, because God does!”

Having interpretated the dream, Joseph dares to suggest a plan of action. Pharaoh should appoint someone to take advantage of the good years to mitigate the bad. He even outlines a job description - a person gifted in administration, loyal to Pharaoh and honest in all his dealings. Pharaoh needed to choose carefully or the whole plan will fail. Not surprisingly Pharaoh recognised that Joseph was the person he needed. Clearly God’s hand was with Joseph and his wisdom was evident to all. So in a few minutes Joseph went from long term prisoner to second-in-command of Egypt. A signet ring, a robe, a gold chain, a chariot and a requirement for people to respect him, all sealed the appointment of Joseph, who was only 30 years old. Not bad going!

He knew nothing of this in advance. However, God did, and all came to pass exactly as Joseph had prophesied. But there was more to come if you read on! ¤