Tag: Joseph

The Coat Is Just a Symbol

The Coat Is Just a Symbol by Kirk Hunt

And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.

Genesis 37:33-34 NKJV
Please also read Genesis 37:31-35 NKJV

Jacob wept loud and long. His sons had convinced him Joseph was dead. As they watched the old man howl in grief and heartache, perhaps they realized, in that moment, that the tunic was only a symbol.

Joseph’s tunic (called a “coat” in the King James Version of the Bible) was a symbol of Jacob’s love and favor regarding Joseph. They could strip the coat off Joseph’s back, but they could not pull Jacob’s feeling off his son. Men and women can steal a symbol from you, but they cannot touch God’s feelings about you.

God gave you a calling or anointing. Do not confuse your title, certificate or badge with God’s love and purpose for you. A symbol is a poor substitute for the authentic article in your life.

The coat kept Joseph warm. The coat made Joseph stand out. The coat was just a symbol of Jacob’s love for Joseph.

I praise God for your title, office or certification. You worked hard. You earned it. Those outward things are just a symbol of Father-God’s love and purpose for you.

Think: Do I love the symbol or do I love God?

Pray: “Father-God, help me see the real article of Your love and purpose in my life.

Copyright © July 2023, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Joseph’s Promise

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“Joseph’s Promise” by Kirk Hunt

 

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Genesis 50:20-21 KJV

 

With tears in his eyes Zaphnathpaaneah, the Pharaoh’s Chancellor, faced the Hebrew men who had wronged him. Their betrayal had cost him years of slavery and prison. With his power and position he could exact a terrible vengeance. With a word, he could have doomed the foreigners.

 

With tears in his eyes, Joseph faced the brothers who had betrayed and nearly murdered him. Gently, he spoke life. With humility, he promised forgiveness. Joseph promised, then delivered.

 

His brothers were right to be afraid. Joseph loved his father and while he lived, he would avoid causing him more grief and sorrow. With Jacob dead and buried, Joseph had no reason to restrain his power.

 

Joseph’s promise is an example of mercy, grace and forgiveness put in action. It would have been too easy to listen to his scars and marks. Instead Joseph listened to God’s Heart.

 

What promises should you make? Will you speak life and forgiveness, or something else? Will your promises flow from your heart or God’s?

 

Think : Mercy, grace and forgiveness come from the heart of God.

 

Pray: “Lord, I promise to follow Your heart .”

 

Copyright © May 2010, Kirk Hunt

Payout In The Workhouse

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“Payout In The Workhouse” by Kirk Hunt

 

And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Genesis 41:52 KJV

 

Zaphnathpaaneah served as Chancellor or Prime Minister to Pharaoh. His position and title delivered a life of wealth, power and privilege. It’s easy to imagine he announced the birth of his second son, to the Egyptian elite, at a stylish and expensive party.

 

In the quiet and empty mansion, a different man appeared in the mirror. Under the expensive robes were marks from slavery’s chains. Hidden by extravagant jewelery and the tokens of office, lay scars from the jailor’s whip.

 

Joseph had no illusions about Egypt. Egypt had hurt him. Still, a faithful and blessing God ensured that he prospered, despite it all.

 

The precious newborn son in his arms told a story of care, provision and protection. God stood near. Hurt never became harm. “Ephraim, my payout.”

 

Maybe your circumstances have hurt you. Perhaps your road has seemed hard and harsh. God had a plan to preserve whole nations through Joseph. God has a plan for you.

 

Your barren patch will bloom and feed thousands. Your hurts will become healing for you and others. The God of heaven has a payout for you, right where you are.

 

Think : God has a payout for me, no matter my current circumstances.

 

Pray: “Lord, I thank You, in advance, for my coming payout.”

 

 

Copyright © May 2010, Kirk Hunt

God’s Back Pay

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“God’s Back Pay” by Kirk Hunt

 

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.

Genesis 41:51 KJV

 

The birth of a son is normally cause for celebration and joy. Like any first-time father, I’m certain Joseph whooped with joy and pride. Still, the memories of the last 13 years brought some gravity to Joseph’s heart and mind.

 

“God has caused me to forget.” First, betrayal by his brothers. Then, years of slavery. Finally, false accusation and years of unjust imprisonment. In the glow of his back-pay, Joseph forgot about the prior years.

 

Perhaps you have been laboring long, hard and without just wages. God has been watching over you the entire time. Recording the hours. Banking your pay.

 

To others, it will seem you are an over-night sensation. It doesn’t matter how it looks to them. You know that God is simply delivering your back pay.

 

Just when they thought you were dead, God will deliver your best life yet. Even though you thought you were forgotten and cast aside, God will set you out front and in charge. No one delivers back-pay like God.

 

Stay faithful. Work to build His Kingdom. Trust that God has your back-pay. At the right time, in the correct place, God will make you forget all that happened before. In joy. With delight. Through blessing.

 

Think : God rewards the faithful.

 

Pray: “Lord, I thank You, in advance, for Your Kingdom blessings.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2010, Kirk Hunt

The Prince Gets A Princess

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“The Prince Gets A Princess” by Kirk Hunt

 

And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:45 KJV

 

There is a saying, “God does not always call the equipped, but He always equips the called.” To fulfill his purpose in God’s plan, Joseph needed to look, sound and live like a high-born Egyptian. Against expectation, Joseph’s years as a slave, then a convict, equipped him to serve as Pharaoh’s Chief Executive.

 

Perhaps you feel you have been denied the good things of life. Maybe you feel that the positive outcomes have been kept from you. God has a royal blessing in store for you.

 

Probably not a literal royal bride (or groom) but an excellent place in purpose. With an extraordinary space for blessing. God will inflict His best on you, as if from ambush.

 

His blessing will catch up to you. No matter where, or how far, you have traveled. The right time and place is where God says it is.

 

As prince Joseph entered his palace, God arranged for everything. Even a princess. As you enter your purpose in God’s Kingdom, God will arrange for everything.

 

Think : God equips His servants for their call.

 

Pray: “Lord, equip me for Your purpose, in Your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2010, Kirk Hunt

The Prisoner Becomes A Prince

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“The Prisoner Becomes A Prince” by Kirk Hunt

 

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

Genesis 41:39-40 KJV

(Read also Genesis 40:20 through 41:44)

 

Joseph, despite years in prison, spoke revelation and wisdom. He explained Pharaoh’s dream. He suggested a course of actions. Then he waited.

 

Maybe Joseph hoped for a pardon. It’s possible he thought he might get a new job as a slave-steward to the new Grain Administrator. Of course, you and I know Joseph had been set-up.

 

The forgotten man became a foremost minister. He traded his (orange) prison garb for royal robes. The prisoner became a prince in a single hour.

 

Only God can so suddenly change prisoners into princes. Only the King of the universe can so completely and rapidly reverse the situation of a man. Only God knows the set up he has in store for you.

 

You thought your unseen hours and unrewarded labors were for nothing? You thought you had been thrown away and forgotten? God has made plans concerning you and His angels are working that plan with care and precision.

 

You have been set up. All that remains is the pay off. What God promises, God delivers. With interest.

 

Think : God has set me up, and I am glad.

 

Pray: “Lord, help me live out Your set up with grace and joy.”

 

 

Copyright © April 2010, Kirk Hunt