God is His own Interpreter
Gen 40:20 And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand: 22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them
We need answers and we read the Bible. But there are now many interpreters and many false comforts. We are in an era where so many different Bibles have been written to make the Bible easy to read … this is good, but the Bible still needs to be interpreted. We are sad … and in need of comfort to combat the world views from all the religions, people and nations who go to the same Bible but come up with different answers. Joseph’s interpretation came true. The Bible tells us of the Comforter who will explain our situations and what will happen to us … the Comforter tells us of the future and sometimes it’s a word that is encouraging and easy to digest like it was for the butler … but there are times when it isn’t. God’s interpreter is God Himself – the Holy Spirit.
Psa 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Both the Butler and Baker were sad … Joseph provided the correct interpretation just as the Holy Spirit comforts us. We need the comfort of the Holy Spirit because our dreams will only find accurate interpretation if the Holy Spirit helps us to see the way and know what God is asking of us, the corrections He is demanding and the insights He wants us to pick. Many faiths play down the role of the Holy Spirit and play up the intellect of men – the result is more sadness and well-meaning errors. Many interpretations today are based on the perspectives of the prevailing culture, human wisdom and the world view but not always on the comfort of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing – past, present and future that surprises the Holy Spirit. Be filled by the Holy Spirit … and guard that relationship as the most important you will ever have. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit by disobedience or refusing His comfort. There are times when the Holy Spirit is saying something unexpected or unpopular. Learn to hearken and obey even in those times. Pray with the assistance of the Holy Spirit.
Song.
For Thy Gift of God the Spirit, With us, in us, e’er to be,
Pledge of life and Hope of glory, Savior, we would worship Thee.
He who in Creation’s dawning, Brooded o’er the pathless deep,
Still across our nature’s darkness – Moves to wake our souls from sleep.
Moves to stir, to draw, to quicken; Thrusts us thro’ with sense of sin;
Then, Himself, the Pledge, He seals us— Saving Advocate within.
He, the mighty God, indwells us: His to strengthen, help, empow’r;
His to overcome the Tempter—Ours to call in danger’s hour.
He it is, the Living Author, Wakes to life the sacred Word;
Reads with us its holy pages, And reveals our risen Lord.
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit … reveal the true interpretations that answer and comfort my daily questions. Amen
The Songs of Joseph is an integration of encouragement scriptural devotions, prayers and a compendium of songs of mercy, salvation, new beginnings and victory. We can expect as we trust and obey that our end will indeed be ultimately glorious because God works His marvellous agenda. Be blessed as you read and sing along, daily. Edited by Bolade Apampa
