Closing: What God Meant · Week 19

Day 127 Psalm 105:16-22

Until the Time That His Word Came

Scripture Reading – Psalm 105:16-22

Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.

Psalm 105:16 KJV

He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:

Psalm 105:17 KJV

Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

Psalm 105:18 KJV

Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.

Psalm 105:19 KJV

The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.

Psalm 105:20 KJV

He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:

Psalm 105:21 KJV

To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.

Psalm 105:22 KJV

Scripture Review

Psalm 105 retells Joseph’s years from heaven’s side. God called for a famine, sent a man before Israel, and allowed Joseph to be sold as a servant. His feet were hurt with fetters and he was laid in iron “until the time that his word came.” Then the king loosed him and made him ruler so that he might bind princes and teach senators wisdom.

The psalm does not hide the iron when it celebrates the purpose. It says the word of the LORD tried Joseph. The dreams were true, but time stood between promise and fulfillment, and that interval tested the man who carried them. When release came, it arrived at the appointed hour. Prison had not made the word late; it had been part of God’s preparation for the responsibility beyond it.

What was meant here?

Those who sold and confined Joseph meant to use him, silence him, or keep him within the limits of slavery and prison.

What was God meaning?

God meant to send a prepared man ahead, try him until the appointed time, then release and establish him for the preservation of His people.

What this asks of me

Waiting can expose whether I love God’s word only when it quickly improves my circumstances. I should not romanticize iron, but I can let the Word examine and form me there. God knows the appointed time, and no locked door can keep His purpose from arriving when He opens it.

Consider

  1. What is the waiting season revealing about the way I receive God’s Word?
  2. Can I let God prepare my character before asking Him to enlarge my responsibility?
Open study tracker