Forget=Fruitfulness

Now in our daily reading (Genesis40-42) we are going to look at Joseph after he was brought out of prison, after the LORD gave him the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams.

Joseph was 30 years old (Genesis41.46) so this means he has been in Egypt for 13 years (Genesis37.02)!

Joseph was given a wife by Pharaoh (Genesis41.45) & than he began storing up grain during the 7 years of plenty (Genesis41.47-49).

We than read…

Genesis 41:50-51 “50 Now before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him. 51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble & all my father’s household.””

The name of his firstborn son is Manasseh. Manasseh means, “cause to forget”.

Through the name of his firstborn son, we see that Joseph, who was forgotten by the cupbearer (Genesis40.23; Genesis41.09-13), Joseph CHOSE to forget & forgive all the hardship that he has endured the last 13 years.

Look at what he CHOSE to forget & forgive…

-Kidnapped & sold by his own brothers! (Genesis37.18-36)

-Falsely accused of rape! (Genesis39)

-Forgotten by the cupbearer (Genesis40.22)

Genesis 41:52 “52 He named the second Ephraim, “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.””

The name of his second son is Ephraim. Ephraim means “fruitful”.

Joseph not only CHOSE to forget & forgive all the hardships that occurred to him, but also saw that in hardships, God can bless us & causes us to be fruitful!

Have you CHOSEN to forget & forgive the sins that were committed against you in the past? Even those committed by family members or people that you trusted?

Jesus said…

Matthew 6:14, 15 “14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

Even in hard times, God can bless you & make you fruitful, but it depends on you being forgiving of those who have hurt you.

Manasseh & Ephraim!