Revealing and Acting

“Acting on God’s word” –

God reveals and the hearer acts.

Like most ancient tales, we are so familiar that we take them for granted. This morning I recognize that it is not obvious from the revelation that something should be done.

The interpretation of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine could have been, “eat, drink and be merry for [in seven years] we die.”

In going beyond the actual interpretation and making clear the purpose of the revelation concerning the future of the nation, Joseph recognized the need for action. In these dreams he saw, not an unavoidable cataclysm, but instead the possibility of a saving response. His interpretation told him what has coming. He wisdom told him to take action. So his speech included an admonishment intended to provoke Pharaoh to respond.

I know; “So why would God bring a famine and then warn Pharaoh about it?” For that matter, “Why does God allow evil?” “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Next thing to know, we’ll be talking about infinite regressions.

For Joseph, revelation is the opportunity to act in order to shape the future.

So learn from it. Shape the future.