Genesis 41:50-52 NLT
During this time, before the first of the famine years, two sons were born to Joseph and his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. [51] Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, "God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father's family." [52] Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, "God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief."
How did Joseph feel when his jealous, vengeful brothers threw him down into an empty water well?
Surely his brother's wouldn't leave him there to die, would they?
What about when they sold him to slave traders? He must have been astounded at their callous behaviour.
It was DOWN, into the cistern, DOWN into Egypt, DOWN into slavery.
Just when it looked slightly better, it was DOWN into prison, falsely accused of raping his master's wife.
Hardship, servitude, betrayal and lies had seen his soul sink into the iron.
Psalm 105:17-19 AMPC
He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold as a servant. [18] His feet they hurt with fetters; he was laid in chains of iron and his soul entered into the iron, [19] Until his word [to his cruel brothers] came true, until the word of the Lord tried and tested him.
All the while through those 13 years God was miraculously preparing the way to fulfill the prophetic dreams he'd been given.
So, holding his newborn sons in his arms, he named each one in tell of his deliverance.
Manasseh - "God made me forget all the hard times and stop the yearning for ny family and country".
Of ourselves it's hard to put past hurts and injustices behind us.
How Joseph must have wrestled with his painful memories of injustice all those years in prison.
Imagine him waking in the night replaying each nightmarish scene over and over again in his mind.
There must have been long periods of despair - would he ever be free?
Yet when the miracle happened and he was put in charge of Egypt, given so much, a wife and 2 fine sons. This joy empowered a God given "forgettery".
He didn't yearn for his family or his homeland anymore.
God can change our desires in any given situation, by His Spirit.
Then Ephraim - "God made me fruitful in the land of my grief".
Only the Lord can turn a tragedy and make it fruitful.
You may be battling with heartbreak that no one else can understand or share, but God sees and has plans to make your life fruitful once more.
The bottom line is not just for this life, but primarily for eternity.
In Jesus the future is secure. He will wipe away all tears and pain will be forgotten when His Kingdom comes.
Selah.
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