The Fruit of Blessing
September 24, 2026 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments
Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement
I ran out of time on Sunday as we were studying Genesis 45. We spent most of our time contemplating Joseph’s “Godward perspective” as he reconciled with his brothers. The second half of the chapter highlights how Joseph reaps fruit from being a blessing to others. Let me draw these out.
In verse 16 we read, “When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, ‘Joseph’s brothers have come,’ it pleased Pharaoh and his servants.” For those of us who are very familiar with the story of Joseph, these words may seem unremarkable. We are going to hear, however, in 46:34, “Every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians.” And historians teach that ancient Egypt did not trust the people who traveled from the northeast, those from Asia. The Egyptians were predisposed to despise Jacob and his family of shepherds from the northeast. And yet, “it pleased Pharaoh” that they showed up. Why is this?
Joseph has been a blessing in Egypt since the first day he showed up. Sold into Potiphar’s house as a slave, he quickly caught the attention of his master. 39:3 says, “His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.” So Joseph was elevated to the role of overseer in the house. After he was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison, Joseph once again caught the attention of the keeper of the prison. And Joseph was put in charge of all the prisoners (39:21-22). While in prison, Joseph helped two prisoners by interpreting their dreams, which led to Joseph’s appearance before Pharaoh in chapter 41. Joseph does what no one else could do, interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. Pharaoh immediately recognizes the wisdom of Joseph and promotes him (41:38-40). All this activity has been a set up for the moment Joseph’s family arrives in Egypt.
Now, you might be thinking, “This is all well and good for Joseph; he was special and God enabled all these abilities to bless the Egyptians. How can this apply to me at all?” I would say that you are right; Joseph is special. But so are you and every single one of us in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” If you are in Christ, you have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” You have spiritual resources that unbelievers do not. Wherever God places you, you are a conduit of those spiritual blessings to the people around you. Even Jeremiah tells the exiles in Babylon, “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jer. 29:7). That is a privilege and responsibility from the Lord. We may not rise to the level of second in command of a nation like Joseph, but we have opportunities to bless the people where God has placed us. Do you see yourself in this role?
Back to Genesis 45:16 where Pharaoh is pleased that Joseph’s family has arrived in Egypt. His disposition towards a people he normally would have despised was changed because Joseph faithfully served for 22 years in Egypt and gained the favor of Pharaoh. Pharaoh immediately gave instructions and great provisions for bringing Jacob and the rest of the family to Egypt so that they may be protected during the famine (v. 17-20). This is the fruit of Joseph serving as a blessing in Egypt for 22 years.
We can never know how our impact on other people will play out. Did Joseph arrive in Egypt thinking about and strategizing ways to rescue his family from famine? No. He simply served faithfully as God enabled him, and God opened doors. The same is for us. We are called to serve faithfully wherever God places us. This means walking in wisdom, making the best use of time, and letting our speech always be gracious (Col. 4:5-6). This also means not being haughty, not repaying evil for evil, and doing what is honorable in the sight of all (Rom. 12:16-17). “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Gal. 6:9). We have been blessed to be a blessing wherever God has placed us. And in his timing (“due season”) we will reap the fruit of that blessing.
