We are in a season of great upheaval, both naturally and spiritually. There are events happening in the spirit realm and in the natural realm that we need to be able to discern. We periodically have our eyes examined so we can see clearly. We also need to have our spiritual eyes examined so we can discern with clarity. We can see examples of spiritual discernment by looking at the life of Joseph.
Joseph demonstrated remarkable discernment throughout his time in Egypt in several key ways:
1. Interpreting Dreams with Spiritual Insight: Joseph discerned that Pharaoh’s dreams about seven fat cows followed by seven lean cows, and seven full ears of grain followed by seven withered ears, were divine revelations about coming abundance and famine. While Pharaoh’s magicians and wise men couldn’t understand the dreams, Joseph discerned they were from God and represented a 14-year cycle of plenty followed by severe shortage (Genesis 41:25-32).
2. Strategic Planning and Preparation: Joseph didn’t just interpret the dreams. Joseph discerned the proper response. He recommended storing grain during the seven years of abundance to prepare for the seven years of famine. This showed discernment in understanding both the spiritual message and its practical implications for governance and survival (Genesis 41:33-37).
3. Discerning Character and Motives: When his brothers came to Egypt for grain, Joseph initially concealed his identity and tested them extensively. He discerned their hearts through various trials—keeping Simeon as security, demanding they bring Benjamin, and placing his silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. Through these tests, he discerned that his brothers had genuinely changed from the men who had sold him into slavery (Genesis 44).
4. Recognizing God’s Sovereignty in Difficult Circumstances: Perhaps most remarkably, Joseph discerned God’s hand in his painful journey from slavery to prison to the palace. He told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20). This showed profound spiritual discernment in seeing divine purpose through human betrayal and suffering.
5. Administrative Wisdom: Lastly, Joseph discerned how to effectively manage Egypt’s resources, implementing a taxation system during abundance and a distribution system during famine that preserved both Egypt and the surrounding nations (Genesis 47:13-27).
His discernment combined spiritual sensitivity with practical wisdom, making him invaluable to Pharaoh and instrumental in God’s plan for preserving His people. He plainly saw Pharaoh for who he was and was not moved nor motivated by Pharaoh’s charisma.
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