We are in chapter 41 of Genesis with our word for today used twice in our chapter, once by Joseph and the other time by Pharaoh. בִּין discern, understand, see, pay attention, consider, teach, examine. It is used 169 times in the Old Testament. The best place to start with our word is to acknowledge the fact that there are a lot of things as created beings that we just do not understand on our own. But these same things God already knows. Job 26:14 Who then can יִתְבּוֹנָֽן understand the thunder of his power? Job 28:23-24 God הֵבִ֣יןunderstands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. Job 36:29 Who can יָ֭בִין understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion? Job 38:18 Have you הִ֭תְבֹּנַנְתָּ comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this. Job 42:3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not אָבִ֑ין understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
God himself is identified as being in the unique position to understand what is going on inside of every person. 1 Chronicles 28:9 And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and מֵבִ֑ין understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. This is why both wisdom and our word are defined by respecting God and his perspective on everything. Proverbs 1:1-2, 6-7 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for לְ֝הָבִ֗יןunderstanding words of בִינָֽה insight…for לְהָבִ֣יןunderstanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. This is how our word is used today because Joseph is once again a great example of what this word looks like in action. Genesis 41:33, 39 Now therefore let Pharaoh select a נָב֣וֹן discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt… And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so נָב֥וֹן discerning and wise as you are.
Where did Joseph’s discernment come from? From what he suffered and what he did with his challenges. Not only was he left for dead, sold into slavery, and thrown in prison for something he didn’t do. We could also add being falsely accused which is a challenge in itself. But on top of all of this Joseph has to wait another two years after he had a glimpse of hope when he helped the cup bearer with his dream. The cup bearer totally forgot about Joseph so Joseph was stuck waiting on God once again. I’m sure during those two years Joseph struggled with not knowing when or if God would act to get him out of prison. We know that Joseph took his struggles to God along with his emotions and trusted them with God. Because this is where discernment comes from a life lived of trusting God especially in the most difficult times. And this discernment was an invaluable part of God’s plan because without it Joseph would not have been able to have the character and wisdom to store up the grain and not touch it during the time of plenty. At this point in his life he feared God completely trusting in his direction. I’ll close with James that says this so well. James 1:2-5 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
