Joseph Helped Pharaoh Prepare

Intro:

Last week we started learning about a guy named Joseph! He helped interpret the dreams of Pharaoh.

Today, we are learning about what happened after he helped interpret Pharaoh’s dreams.

Lesson:

Our lesson begins right where we left off last week. After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph tells Pharaoh he needs to put somebody in charge to store up food for the seven years of famine that was to come.

Genesis 41:37–44 (CSB)

37 The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants,

38 and he said to them, “Can we find anyone like this, a man who has God’s spirit in him?”

39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you are.

40 You will be over my house, and all my people will obey your commands. Only I, as king, will be greater than you.”

41 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “See, I am placing you over all the land of Egypt.”

42 Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, clothed him with fine linen garments, and placed a gold chain around his neck.

43 He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, and servants called out before him, “Make way!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.

44 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh and no one will be able to raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt without your permission.”

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Pharaoh not only gave Joseph a position of power, but also gave him a new name (Zaphenath-paneah) and a wife as well.

So, there was seven years of abundance, seven years of plenty. But, did that last forever? Nope… it came to an end. Let’s read what God’s Word tells us about this time of famine:

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Genesis 41:53–57 (CSB)

53 Then the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end,

54 and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in every land, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food.

55 When the whole land of Egypt was stricken with famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh told all Egypt, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.”

56 Now the famine had spread across the whole region, so Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt.

57 Every land came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, for the famine was severe in every land.

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Bottom Line:

So, what can we learn from this part of Joseph’s story?

When we listen to God, He shows us what to do.

God showed Joseph what Pharaoh’s dreams meant, and Joseph listened and took action. Because of Joseph’s action, he was able to store up more than enough food for everyone during the famine.

How do we listen to God? Is it through dreams? Is it through a big voice in the sky?

Not exactly… those things might have happened a long time ago in specific circumstances, but God has said everything He ever wants to say to us in one specific way… where can we find it?

The Bible! That’s right. God’s Word is what tells us exactly who we are, what we’ve done, and what has been done about it.

God’s Word points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us everything we need to know about how to live in relationship with God.

God’s Word tells us that we are created in God’s image, but then we fell and sinned against God. It tells us that we can’t do enough good things to make God forgive us because it will never be enough.

But, it then tells us the good news: there is someone who did everything right, and who was enough in God’s eyes, and that was His Son, Jesus!

Conclusion:

So, just like Joseph listened to God and obeyed Him, we too can listen to God through His Word and know what we are supposed to do.

It tells us how to live, how to treat others, and how to have a right relationship with God. And the only way to have a right relationship with God is through Jesus Christ.