Those are difficult words to say sometimes. I'm not sure they could have ever been more difficult to say as when Joseph uttered them to Pharaoh in Genesis 41.
Joseph had been sold into slavery by his own brothers, barely escaping death at their hands. After becoming the most trusted man in the house of Potiphar, the Pharaoh's captain of the guard, he had that all ripped away from him by a false accusation from Potiphar's wife. In jail, Joseph helps Pharaoh's cupbearer, who is released and returns to his job. Despite his promises otherwise, the cupbearer forgets Joseph and leaves him to rot in the cell for two years.
Now, he is finally here with a chance to show himself. He is standing before Pharaoh, who is desperate for someone to interpret his dream. Joseph's life story, though centered around dreams, has been more nightmare up until this point.
Pharaoh tells Joseph, "I've had this dream that no one can interpret. My cupbearer tells me that if you hear a dream, you can interpret dreams."
With everything riding on this moment, Joseph's first words to Pharaoh are "I cannot do it."
Oh, no.
Can you imagine the cupbearer when he hears those words come out of Joseph's mouth? He's been freed from jail, back in his important position and has been able to bring Pharaoh this man who seemed to have the ability to interpret dreams.
He's thinking about the reward Pharaoh is going to give him for informing him of Joseph, imagining the praise with which he will be recorded in the annals of Egyptian history, picturing the statue they'll build of him .... wait what did Joseph just say?!?
What about Pharaoh? Apparently, he has been severely troubled by this dream. He's talking to every wise man, sorcerer, magicians, anyone who can help ease his mind. He knows this dream is important. There is a meaning there that he must find out.
His cupbearer says he knows someone in jail who interpreted his dream. What can it hurt? He's tried everything else. Bring him on.
The cleaned-up accused criminal stood before Pharaoh and listened to his situation. When asked about his ability to interpret dreams? He, just like everyone else, said he couldn't do it. Could no one in Pharaoh's kingdom give him some relief?
Thankfully, for everyone involved, Joseph was not done yet. "I cannot do it ... but God is able to give Pharaoh the answer you want." Joseph recognized that he could not, but that God could through him. In the classic biblical twist, Joseph was only able to do it, by admitting he couldn't do it.
So often in my life, God places me in situations where I have the opportunity to express my self-confidence or my self-recognition. Will I attempt to take credit for talents, abilities, decisions, moments for which I can lay no claim? Or, instead, will I acknowledge my short-comings and my ever present Savior?
I seems so counter-intuitive to say, "I can't" in order to accomplish a task. But is it any more so than dying to live? Christianity is full of these seeming paradoxes that force us to operate in the realm of faith. "I can't" enables me to say "I did," through God's strength.
Yet, the temptation is always there. Enticing us to take credit, profess talent, garner attention, stroll through the spotlight. We want to be out front and noticed. The only way to do that is by standing up and saying, "That's me. I can do it all by myself."
Joseph knew that without God working through him, he would never be able to tell Pharaoh the meaning of his dream. That's the point. Nothing of eternal significance can ever be accomplished apart from eternal strength with eternal perspective.
God has chosen, for our good and His glory, to use us to accomplish His will here on earth. That doesn't mean we can brag or gloat, any more than a hammer is able to boast about going from the tool box and hammering a few nails down.
If we want our actions to mean anything, we have to say "I can't." When we can't God does. I think it goes something like, His power is made perfect in my weakness. That's why I can't do it.
Joseph had been sold into slavery by his own brothers, barely escaping death at their hands. After becoming the most trusted man in the house of Potiphar, the Pharaoh's captain of the guard, he had that all ripped away from him by a false accusation from Potiphar's wife. In jail, Joseph helps Pharaoh's cupbearer, who is released and returns to his job. Despite his promises otherwise, the cupbearer forgets Joseph and leaves him to rot in the cell for two years.
Now, he is finally here with a chance to show himself. He is standing before Pharaoh, who is desperate for someone to interpret his dream. Joseph's life story, though centered around dreams, has been more nightmare up until this point.
Pharaoh tells Joseph, "I've had this dream that no one can interpret. My cupbearer tells me that if you hear a dream, you can interpret dreams."
With everything riding on this moment, Joseph's first words to Pharaoh are "I cannot do it."
Oh, no.
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| Photo from LittleBoBeep.com |
He's thinking about the reward Pharaoh is going to give him for informing him of Joseph, imagining the praise with which he will be recorded in the annals of Egyptian history, picturing the statue they'll build of him .... wait what did Joseph just say?!?
What about Pharaoh? Apparently, he has been severely troubled by this dream. He's talking to every wise man, sorcerer, magicians, anyone who can help ease his mind. He knows this dream is important. There is a meaning there that he must find out.
His cupbearer says he knows someone in jail who interpreted his dream. What can it hurt? He's tried everything else. Bring him on.
The cleaned-up accused criminal stood before Pharaoh and listened to his situation. When asked about his ability to interpret dreams? He, just like everyone else, said he couldn't do it. Could no one in Pharaoh's kingdom give him some relief?
Thankfully, for everyone involved, Joseph was not done yet. "I cannot do it ... but God is able to give Pharaoh the answer you want." Joseph recognized that he could not, but that God could through him. In the classic biblical twist, Joseph was only able to do it, by admitting he couldn't do it.
So often in my life, God places me in situations where I have the opportunity to express my self-confidence or my self-recognition. Will I attempt to take credit for talents, abilities, decisions, moments for which I can lay no claim? Or, instead, will I acknowledge my short-comings and my ever present Savior?
I seems so counter-intuitive to say, "I can't" in order to accomplish a task. But is it any more so than dying to live? Christianity is full of these seeming paradoxes that force us to operate in the realm of faith. "I can't" enables me to say "I did," through God's strength.
Yet, the temptation is always there. Enticing us to take credit, profess talent, garner attention, stroll through the spotlight. We want to be out front and noticed. The only way to do that is by standing up and saying, "That's me. I can do it all by myself."
Joseph knew that without God working through him, he would never be able to tell Pharaoh the meaning of his dream. That's the point. Nothing of eternal significance can ever be accomplished apart from eternal strength with eternal perspective.
God has chosen, for our good and His glory, to use us to accomplish His will here on earth. That doesn't mean we can brag or gloat, any more than a hammer is able to boast about going from the tool box and hammering a few nails down.
If we want our actions to mean anything, we have to say "I can't." When we can't God does. I think it goes something like, His power is made perfect in my weakness. That's why I can't do it.
