Christian Devotional – November 25, 2018

After all that has been discussed regarding Joseph, God gives us a quick glimpse into Joseph’s personal life. Reading through Genesis 41:50-52, we see Joseph as a happily married man becoming a father.

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 41:51‭-‬52 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.41.51-52.NASB

The naming of children had incredibly important significance in that day and time. The names of children would often reflect the circumstances around their birth or any other special event that was going on at that time. We can see now through these names, exactly where Joseph’s thoughts are at regarding his entire situation. He had obviously struggled with being inslaved and imprisoned. When Joseph had his first son, his response was to name the child in such a way as to show that God had helped him move past his frustration and irritation with his circumstances.  By the time Joseph had his second son, he was considering himself fruitful and blessed in all his circumstances.

No matter what we are going through, whether it’s something in our past, or something we are experiencing now, God can bring us through. The question becomes whether we will allow him to do so and if we will move past when he brings those circumstances about.