Answer of Peace

Gen 41:16

And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. KJV

Whether received through God’s written word, in the inward parts of one’s inner man through God’s Spirit, or through one of God’s messengers, believers (and occasionally even unbelievers), one can expect to receive answers from God for perplexing and difficult circumstances in life. When one find such answers from God, they will be answers of peace, and Joseph’s communication to Pharaoh demonstrates much for discerning God’s answers of peace. First, Pharoah was troubled and confused about a circumstance that was presented to him. (To be sure, not every dream conforms to this, for Pharoah was leader of a great people and his decisions had impact among his people and throughout many surrounding nations, including God’s people. This dream was no vain or carnal imagination for personal aggrandizement, it affected people.) Secondly, Pharoah searched for answers (and could not find it) among the wise men and magicians of Egypt, those widely acknowledged to have preeminent, world-reknown expertise in such matters. Thirdly, Joseph’s communication was one that was “in season,” for a problem presently confronting Pharaoh in the very near future. (It will be no hindsight commentary that anyone can provide, for answers are always seemingly perfect concerning past events where all circumstances are known.) Fourthly, God’s answer of peace provided a solution. (To be sure, it would not be Pharaoh who would be “so discreet and wise” to manage the store houses of Egypt–but someone who could–in this case, Joseph.) In the end, God’s answer of peace not only resolved the difficulty and provided a solution, but resulted in blessing; the blessing was not only intended for a single individual, but Egypt, surrounding nations and particularly God’s own people: [

[For] the blessing of the Lord maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.] KJV Proverbs 10:22

Brian Johnson, Ph.D.