EPHRAIM: FROM AFFLICTION TO FRUITFULNESS

And the name of the second he called EPHRAIM: “For God has caused me to be FRUITFUL in the land of my affliction” – Genesis 41:52

The typical human tendency is to either run from affliction or try to get rid of it. Of course, affliction is neither positive nor desirable, but the God who never ends up on the negative, who ensures that all things work together for our good, knows how to bring fruitfulness out of affliction, prosperity out of pain, pleasure out of pressures, and success out of suffering. Joseph may never have reached the palace if he tried to avoid passing through Potiphar’s enclave and the prison dungeon.

Upon being elevated into leadership over Egypt, Joseph revealed some profound truths gained from the experiences of his years in adversity. He named his first son, Manasseh, meaning “God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house” (Gen. 41:51b). His second son was named Ephraim because, “God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” Whenever God allows His own to traverse the land of affliction, His intention is never to punish, cause harm, consume, or destroy. Rather, He’ll often bring healing that will obliterate the past pain, and fruitfulness out of the affliction.

God is never a waster, not even of afflictions! He would not waste afflictions, if we give Him the leeway to complete His work in us. His desire is to create virtue through the times of testing, which would bring us into the place of fruitfulness in the very area of our testing. Though we may pass through valleys of testing, God promised to see us through and make us fruitful in them (Psa.23:4). He turns the Valley of Achor (trouble) into a door of hope: “I will give her… the valley of Achor as a door of hope; she shall sing there…” (Hos. 2:15a). The season of the valley of affliction is the time to press into God; it is the season to sing and not sigh. Ultimately, He will not only bring you out of the valley, He’ll heal your memories and bring fruits of joy, sweetness, wisdom, peace, and patience from those aching experiences.

James wrote, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (Jam.1:2-4). I pray that “affliction will not rise up a second time” (Nah.1:9b). I never pray that pain would come, but if in the divine sovereignty it does, better that it produces fruitfulness, than it be endured in vain. Afflictions, whether past or present, can leave you bitter or better. It’s your choice. Trusting in God’s grace will ensure that even the negatives of life produce positive fruits in you.