“After two whole years, Pharoah dreamed that he was standing by the Nile,” (Genesis 41:1). 

Poor Joseph! Through no fault of his own he was captured by his brothers, thrown into a pit, sold to Ishmaelites, and then sold again to an Egyptian. But of course the injustice didn’t stop there. Because of his integrity he was thrown into prison. And finally, he saw a way out. He correctly interpreted the dream of Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and asked him to plead his case before Pharaoh. Surely Pharaoh would have mercy on him and release him. But nothing happened. For two years, he remained stuck in prison, his excitement over the hope of release slowly ebbing away with each depressing day in the dungeon. 

But then, Pharaoh had a dream! And everything changed. Joseph was released. And at just the right time to guide the country through an awful time of famine. Despite all of his misfortunes, God had a marvelous plan for him; a plan more wonderful than anything He could have imagined. 

Hundreds of years later, some of God’s people were exiled to Babylon. But lest they lose courage, God told them “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:10-11). And of course, God kept His word. He did indeed have wonderful plans for them after their long exile. 

Sometimes we get tired of waiting on the Lord. But the same God who had wonderful plans for Joseph and the Babylonian exiles also has wonderful plans for us. Maybe it will take two years for us to realize those plans. Or maybe seventy years. But God still remains faithful to His people. Praise the Lord!

By: Pastor Jay Mast