Ruth 2:1-4:22
John 4:43-54
Psalm 105:16-36
Proverbs 14:26-27
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CityLight Pastor Commentary:
“Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him” (Ps 105:19). Joseph had already been given his word before he was put into captivity. The Lord had spoken to him in dreams, and told him that he would be a ruler over many. Then what happened? He was sold into slavery, and then locked in prison. Joseph was being tested. But ‘tested’ in this verse does not mean a test as we think of the word in school: something scary that we need to pass in order to move on and be blessed. Tested is the Hebrew ‘tsaraph,’ which means to refine and prove true. When a silversmith tests (refines) silver, he heats the metal and puts it through a process so that all impurities can be removed. The end result is purity. The testing (refining) process ends when the silversmith can see his own reflection in the metal: then, and only then, has the silver been purified. God was testing Joseph: waiting to bless him until He could see His own reflection in the man He had created for great things.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for making us into the spitting image of Your Son Jesus Christ! Help me to trust in Your testing process. I know Your word is true, and I will trust in it!