Timely Wisdom
I have heard “Wisdom” defined as the correct application of knowledge, which I absolutely agree with. However, I would love to slightly modify this definition with a time and knowledge factor. I define “Wisdom” as the correct application of the right knowledge at the right time. With wisdom being evident by its results, it is sooo possible to correctly apply the wrong knowledge and end up with a totally different result expected by wisdom. On the flip side, it is also possible to correctly apply the correct knowledge and still end up with a different result expected by wisdom because it was applied too late. The story of Joseph is one that clearly reveals this.
Let me say this, I love reading the story of Joseph!!!! There is something about his story that I think everyone can relate to, in one way or the other. It may not necessarily be in regards to being sold to slavery (even though some of you may have experienced that in the past or know of people who have) but so much more relatable items such as love, life’s challenges, betrayal, being under authority, humility, wisdom, joy, God’s favour etc. Today, we would be focusing on Timely Wisdom.
In those days, Pharaoh was the powerful ruler in Egypt and he had a dream he could not interpret. One thing led to another and Joseph was called to interpret the dream. From his interpretation, it was known that 7 years of fruitfulness was coming and right after, another 7 years of severe famine was coming. He also provided a solution to the problem, which opened the doors to him being placed as governor over the land of Egypt (Genesis 41). Fast-forward to Genesis 47:15, we see that the famine got so severe that the Egyptians had ran out of money and came to Joseph asking that he give them food. So Joseph asked to give them food in exchange their livestock since they had no money. They gladly agreed to this arrangement, which lasted for a year. When they ran out of food, they came back to him and were so desperate that they didn’t even wait for Joseph to give them another term of exchange, they made the decision to both sell themselves as slaves and sell their lands in exchange for food.
Genesis 47: 18-19; 23-24- AMP
18 When that year was ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord [the fact] that our money is spent; my lord also has our herds of livestock; there is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands. 19 Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we and our land will be servants to Pharaoh. And give us seed [to plant], that we may live and not die, and that the land may not be desolate. 23 Then Joseph said to the people, “Look, today I have bought you and your land for Pharaoh; now, here is seed for you, and you shall plant the land. 24 At harvest time [when you reap the increase] you shall give one-fifth of it to Pharaoh, and four-fifths will be your own to use for seed for the field and as food for you and those of your households and for your little ones.”
This was such a sad thing to read because I was wondering where their bargaining skills went to. From my perspective, I believe they could have bought more time by first selling their land for food, possibly for another year or even renting out their land for food without having to sell themselves. It was so sad to see that initially they had money, which was used in buying food, which ran out. Afterwards, they sold their livestock for food. Afterwards, both their bodies and land for seed to plant. The latter was wisdom but too late in its application. From the above scriptures, it means they could have bought seed to plant and make an increase. They lacked the correct knowledge that the famine was going to last for 7 years and maybe while they had money, they thought it was going to last for a short time, which extended past their expectation. Then the livestock were exchanged for food for a year, still the famine was still going stronger. By the time wisdom kicked in for them to buy seed and plant in the land, they had sold both their land and bodies for the seed. Since they didn’t have any land to themselves, my guess is they would have needed to rent some land from Pharaoh in order to even plant the seed, in addition to Pharaoh getting 20% of their increase for life. Had they had the correct knowledge of the length of the famine and also the wisdom to buy seed to plant from the time they still had money, they may have not needed to sell off their livestock, bodies or lands. Even without the knowledge of the length of famine, if they applied the wisdom to plant seed at the right time (which could have being either at the money stage or livestock stage), they may have had the opportunity to preserve their lands and bodies.
Applying this to our current time, correct knowledge is simply revelation. Revelation simply means revealed truth. Revelation could come from books we read, trainings we obtain or even from the Holy Spirit. Revelation is so great but not applying it at the right time could definitely cost us. Like the parable of talents, the one who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them and he [made a profit and] gained five more (Matthew 25:16). He did not delay but traded with them at once.
Untimely wisdom is costly! It is time to apply whatever revelation or correct knowledge we have acquired.
If you don’t have the Holy Spirit, it may be challenging getting the revelation needed to distinguish yourself for good or even the grace to put that revelation to work. The only way to gain access to the Holy Spirit is to give Him the password to your heart by opening the door to Jesus Christ. If you will like to make that decision today, please repeat this prayer:
“Lord Jesus Christ, I believe you are the Son of God and I believe You died for me on the cross of Calvary. I know I am a sinner and today, I come to You to forgive me of all my sins and to make me a brand new creation. I accept You as my personal Lord and Saviour. Thank you Lord for forgiving me and making me born again, in Jesus name, Amen”.
Congratulations!!!! You are now born-again (It simply means a new born baby in Christ and there is loads of celebration in heaven because of YOU! :)
If you made this decision, please leave a comment on this post or reach out to us at https://www.cccghq.org/contact/ . I will love to hear from you.
By: Pastor Ibukun Adewusi