Open Doors from Quarantine ( 1)

⁴¹   And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

⁴²   Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.

⁴³   And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt.

⁴⁴   Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”

⁴⁵   And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Gen41:41-45

An open door awaits the child of God, who trusts in Him, depends on Him. He did it for Joseph. He can do it for you too. Just maintain your excellence, reliability integrity and purity. No matter the opposition, it will turn out to be an opportunity for your promotion and even an unprecedented open door.

Joseph had a big dream but as he innocently told his family, he ran into trouble. Whilst his father hid the matter in his heart, his brothers not only envied him but hated him and his guts (Gen 37:6-7). However he had the audacity to dream again despite their initial disgust and dismay and outrage (Gen 37 :9). The interpretations of the dreams were in no doubt: they would be subservient to him (Gen 37:8). The preferential treatment he got from his dad compounded issues. He specially tailored a coat of many colours for him as daddy’s pet. He knew it. His dad knew it. They knew it. ( Gen37:3) And so they wanted to put his light out at the earliest opportunity. They wanted that dream dead and buried.

The opportunity came when Jacob sent Joseph on errand, to go see if they were alright in the forest. When they saw him from afar they said, “Behold, the dreamer comes. Let’s kill him and see what will come of the dream.” V19

Soon they proceeded with their clandestine and wicked plan. Joseph was stripped of his coat and dumped in a dish awaiting execution. Then one of his brothers pleaded for him.” “Let’s sell him and make some money instead of killing him. V 22
Some traders emerged and the transaction was completed and Joseph was sold away as a slave. He ended up in Egypt, bought by an army officer – Potiphar. V25-28

God was with Joseph and caused him to excel and have favour with his master. He served his master so well that he left everything in his charge. He knew that Joseph was God – fearing and he was being blessed on account of Joseph’s presence. The success of Joseph was astounding. Gen 39:1-3

Meanwhile, Potiphar’s wife lusted after Joseph because of his good looks and build. She constantly pestered him to make love to her but Joseph refused, considering it a great wickedness, more so in view of his standing with his master. But she would not stop.
One day when he entered her room to do his chores, she grabbed him and tried to force him to make love to her against his will. Joseph refused her overtures to compromise his purity and integrity and ran away, leaving his coat with her. Gen 39:7-13

She screamed and wailed to attract the attention of the neighbours accusing Joseph of attempted rape. Joseph denied it but it was her word against his. His master believed her, albeit reluctantly, and Joseph was sent to prison. What a sad day it was! Talk of bad things happening to good people.

However, even in prison, Joseph displayed his excellent and exceptional character. This brought favour and an opening for him to be made an overseer of other prisoners. (Gen.39:20-23)

Do you have a dream that has been oppose or barricaded by circumstances? Have you found yourself in quarantine despite your good deeds, integrity and purity?  Have you lost your job as a result of the lock down from CORONA19 ? Or are you imprisoned at home but working from home and wondering when all this lock down would end? If so maintain your character and faith in God, wherever you have found yourself. God will give you an open door if your expect it. It could be a door to witness to friends online or from home or a door of promotion as you display excellence and loyalty to your employers even at such desperate times.

In jail Joseph cared for other inmates and that character opened the door for him to be made an overseer. He also noticed the sad countenance of other inmates and inquired what was wrong. They opened up to him-sharing their dreams which he interpreted. They were subsequently released just as he had predicted. He pleaded with one of them not to forget him when he was restored to his former role as a butler to the King. However he forgot him for two years.

Then the King dreams a dream that perplexed him and no one could interpret it. This was when the butler remembered Joseph and told the King about Joseph and how he interpreted his dream and that of his inmate and it came true.

Joseph was summoned to the palace where the king relayed his dream to him. Joseph interpreted the dream: that there would be seven years of plenty in the land and seven years of famine. However the famine would be so severe that the seven years of plenty would be forgotten. He advised the King to look for someone to administer the years of plenty so that they do not starve to death. Gen 41:29-36

The Pharaoh was so impressed that he not only pardoned Joseph, but promoted him from prisoner to Prime Minister.

“See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

⁴²   Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.

⁴³   And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt.

⁴⁴   Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”

⁴⁵           And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt

What an opening for Joseph!

The Pharaoh gave him a chariot, his ring and a robe and Joseph was feted, honoured all through the land. Within 24 hours his life was completely transformed.  God can do the same in your life, despite your quarantine or lock down. Expect an opening, an opportunity, an open door, a supernatural favour or promotion. Remember, “All things work together for good to those who love God and who are the called according to purpose.” You have to stand on this scripture and ask the Holy Spirit that good thing that He has ordained for you during this lock down. If you seek Him about it earnestly, you will find it.

If you are a writer, expect God to open your eyes to write a best-seller even from what is happening as a result of this unprecedented lock down. If you are a songwriter, it can be a time to write a song that will go viral on all social media platforms. Expect great things from a great God.

Joseph had a dream from God and it appeared everything was working against him, but God allowed those things to bring Joseph to the place of the fulfilment of his dream, assignment and purpose.

Similarly your opposition will bring opportunity, promotion, open doors, acclaim, stupendous success that will resound for many years. And when that opportunity comes, use it to the glory of God. Give your very best. Do not forget where you came from.

Joseph despite not going to a university and studying a degree in finance and economics, excelled in his administration of the food and produce in the time of prosperity and bumper harvest. He sought the face of God who opened the door for him to give him wisdom to manage the plenty in an impressive way so that in the time of famine Egypt became a place where others came for food. Besides, his brothers also wandered into Egypt and were flabbergasted to find that their brother whom they sold was now in charge as the Prime Minister. Joseph, rather than take revenge against them, took care of them. Whilst they trembled, he comforted them, saying it was not their fault. They meant it for evil but God meant it for good to preserve the lives of many in future.

5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.
6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.
7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Gen 45:5-8

So expect the Supernatural hand of God in your quarantine. God is still the same. Expect your opening, your opportunity, your ‘light –bulb- moment’. It could be a new job opportunity. It could be an opportunity to witness and lead someone or people to Christ. It could be the opening of an online mega-business that makes you a household name or brand. It could be a new skill or sets of skills you develop whilst on lock down that sets you up for life. Make the most this opportunity. The path of the righteous is like a shining light that shines brighter and brighter to the full light of day. (Prov. 4:18)

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength; Ps84:5-7

Take this word and mix it with faith and run with it and make this lock down or quarantine work big for you.