REMEMBERING GOD
October 02, 2023
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. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” He named the second Ephraim, “For,” he said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:50-52)
We all know the story of Joseph, the favored son of his father, Jacob. This partiality made Joseph despised by his ten older brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt by their own hands. He was further falsely accused and falsely imprisoned. The years of his afflictions were many and intense.
Yet God had made a promise to Joseph. And this young Hebrew waited patiently with contentment. True to His word, God opened a window of opportunity for Joseph to be rescued from prison. And not only rescued but he was lifted to become the second in command in the most powerful nation in the world.
God gave Joseph two sons as a further blessing as he now ruled Egypt. But notice the naming of His sons. Both names had profound meanings. And the meaning of their names begins with four words:
“God has made me forget all my trouble...”
“God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
One son reminded him that God had been sufficient for his past. Another for his present. God had made him forget his past hurts and made him fruitful in his current life.
As a constant reminder before his and his family's eyes, his son's names were an expression of humble gratitude. God had done miraculous things for Joseph, and he wanted to never forget that the genesis for every blessing he had was the grace and intervention of God.
What has God done for you? Have you forgotten (or perhaps never really understood) that “every good and perfect gift comes from above” (James 1:17)? Or have you erected constant reminders? Do you think that the blessings and provisions of your life have come merely from your own two hands? Or do you see the Sovereign hands behind it all … and humbly live in unending gratitude?
