The nations are entering a time of transition and change. We should not be afraid. God has prepared many “Josephs” in advance.
Joseph was God’s secret weapon. God used Joseph to save the ancient world during a time of extreme famine. Some Josephs are already being positioned to handle future crises. Other Josephs will come forth in the midst of crises. Joseph was both prophetic and entrepreneurial. This made him unique. Usually prophets are prophets and entrepreneurs are entrepreneurs. In Joseph, these two anointings combined.
Prophetic Accuracy and Strategic Wisdom
Joseph demonstrated prophetic accuracy when he interpreted Pharaoh’s two dreams. In the first dream, Pharaoh saw seven fat cows and then seven famished cows. The famished cows devoured the fat cows but remained famished. In the second dream, Pharaoh saw seven full heads of grain and seven scrawny heads of grain. The seven scrawny heads of grain devoured the full heads of grain but remained scrawny (Gen. 41:1-7, 17-24).
Joseph accurately interpreted the dreams: There would be seven years of plentiful harvest, followed by seven years of extreme famine. Joseph then went beyond prophetic accuracy and gave Pharaoh strategic wisdom. He advised Pharaoh to appoint a person to oversee the collection and storage of a vast grain reserve during the years of plenty. Joseph was appointed for the task (Gen. 41:25-46).
Prophetic accuracy is the domain of prophets. Strategic wisdom and its implementation is the domain of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are successful because they know what to do and how to do it. In the coming season, not only will there be greater cooperation between prophets and entrepreneurs, but prophets will implement strategic wisdom, and entrepreneurs will move with prophetic accuracy.
Anointed to Manage Resources
Joseph’s life in Egypt went through three phases.
- First, he was a slave in Potiphar’s house. He proved so trustworthy Potiphar promoted him to manage all the resources of his household (Gen. 39:1-6).
- Second, after being falsely accused and thrown in prison, he became a successful manager of resources within the prison, even though he was a prisoner (Gen. 39:20-23)!
- Third, Joseph was promoted to become prime minister of Egypt. As prime minister, he managed Egypt’s resources before and during a time of extreme crisis. Joseph learned how to collect, store and distribute grain.
It doesn’t sound inspiring, but Joseph was anointed to manage resources. Joseph spent 13 years managing resources for Potiphar and in prison, and then 14 years managing storehouses throughout Egypt. That’s a total of 27 years of hard work!
Often, prophets are stereotyped as isolated. They disappear into a “cave” for long periods of time and then dramatically reappear with the word of the Lord. This perception will change as prophets go to work. Joseph came out of isolation and went straight to work.
There is a principle in the Bible that states: One can chase 1,000 and two can put 10,000 to flight (Lev. 26:8; Deut. 32:30). In other words, unity multiplies authority. The coming unity between prophets and entrepreneurs will result in a dramatic increase in authority. In fact, many prophets will become entrepreneurial, and many entrepreneurs will become prophetic.
Creative Inventions, Systems, Strategies and Technologies
Prophets give guidance and direction. Entrepreneurs go to work. Joseph was a prophet but he also had entrepreneurial assignments from God. We are entering a new season. Joseph is a model.
In the past season, people came to the prophet, or the prophet went to the people. In the new season, the prophet will go to work.
In the past season, the entrepreneur came to the prophet, or the prophet went to the entrepreneur. In the new season the entrepreneur will receive revelation and blueprints from heaven. This will include creative inventions, systems, strategies and technologies that will bless the nations.
Under Joseph’s leadership, Egyptian civilization took a major step forward. This happened because large storehouses were built in centralized locations. Storing grain for extended periods of time and on such a large scale required new technologies. Building storehouses was a precursor to building strong cities (Gen. 47:21).
A union between prophets and entrepreneurs will bring forth prosperity even during times of crisis. It will also result in new technologies that will bless the nations in powerful and significant ways. Joseph was unknown on the national stage. At a strategic moment, his voice was heard. Great authority was bestowed on him.
Joseph was not limited by labels—he was both prophetic and entrepreneurial. There are many unknown Josephs in our day. God will bring them forth to fulfill the assignments He has for them. {eoa}
Nathan Shaw, senior pastor at Fire and Destiny Centre, Dunedin and Celebration Church in Mosgiel, New Zealand, helps bring individuals and churches into dynamic encounters with God’s indescribable love. His passion is to equip churches so that they can move in the Spirit, access heavenly realms, encounter God’s heart and release His kingdom on the earth. Nathan is the author of two books: Passion and Fire, which tells the story of a powerful move of the Spirit in Vanuatu during which the face of Jesus appeared on a dormitory wall, and Unto the Least of These, which is about God’s incredible love for widows and the fatherless and the significant part they play in His end-times plans. Both books are acclaimed by respected leaders across the body of Christ.
For the original article, visit heartofdavidministries.org.
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