RENAMED

Today's reading: Genesis 40-43

"Pharoah renamed him Zaphenath-paneah..." Genesis 41:45 NLT

Pharoah, the Egyptian king, gave Joseph a new name. An Egyptian name. A name that marked him as no longer being a slave, but a member of the powerful.

But...Do you know what his new name meant?

Zaphenath-paneah means 'God speaks and lives'.

What an odd choice for a non-Jewish, gods serving, foreign, keeper of Jewish slaves to pick.

Pharoah wouldn't have believed in God, the One True God.

He wouldn't have chosen to acknowledge Him.

He, in all honesty, had many policies in force that would push God out of the lives and day-to-day habits of his Jewish workforce.

But he must have seen more than he bargained for in this God-sent shepherd's son!

May the world rename us as Pharoah renamed Joseph!

I pray they see God in us, whether they want to or not!

I pray they hear God spoken in our words, whether we quote a single Bible verse or not!

I pray they cannot overlook God in how we live, react and trust!