I Cannot... but GOD Can.

Two full years have passed since Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's officials. Two years have gone by since Joseph was… forgotten.

But in those two years, we see no mention of rebellion, no mention of bad behavior, no mention of a rotten attitude.

I’m sure Joseph had to work to keep his mind in the right place… he was in a very unfavorable place. BUT… despite his terrible circumstances, Joseph was holding onto… a dream of his own.

This dream was not something he came up with on his own… it was something God had clearly given him. And we find that dream back in Genesis 37:7

Genesis 37:7 NIV

7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

His brothers had a hard time accepting this dream… because they knew it meant that one day, Joseph would rule over them. This was something they didn’t dream of… and so they moved to make sure this dream would never come to fruition.

There’s a saying I heard once in an animated movie of all places. It’s what might be called a nugget of wisdom, and it goes like this: “One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it.”

Joseph wasn’t trying to avoid anything… but his brothers were. And the steps they take to try to change the coming future… only seals the deal.

Now I’m not a believer in fate or destiny… but I am a FIRM believer in God’s plan and will. The wells had been set in motion… the dream God had given Joseph would come to pass… because it was a GOD-GIVEN dream!

This dream was not going to happen without God being in control… and I believe Joseph began to realize this when he lost control of everything.

He was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, accused of sexual assault, thrown into prison, and forgotten by the official.

But throughout this entire time, he lived in the favor of God. God’s favor on his life was observable by others. His day… was still coming. He was holding on to the dream God had given him.

Now two years after the incident with the officials… he is remembered because Pharoah has a dream. He needs someone to tell him what it means and this sparks the memory of the cupbearer. He remembers Joseph and Pharoah calls for his help.

And when asked to interpret the dream… Joseph says something remarkable. There are 57 verses in Genesis 41, but we are going to focus in on one verse that I believe was the key to Joseph living in the favor of God all those years.

Genesis 41:16 NIV

16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

Joseph had learned a valuable lesson and truth. “I cannot do it.” This doesn’t mean that whatever “it” was wouldn’t be done, but it does mean it COULDN’T BE DONE WITHOUT GOD.

This is where we are going to focus tonight while pulling a few more points out of chapter 41.

What Only God Can Do

These five words are truly amazing… and I pray it is something we hope for in our times of prayer and in our walk with the Lord.

Joseph knew that God was the answer. God had given him the dream and God would get him to that final destination… even if it meant a few years of living as a slave and a prisoner.

When Pharoah asked Joseph to interpret the dream… he did so by adding these words in Genesis 41:15

Genesis 41:15 NIV

15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

Joseph was NOT ABOUT TO TAKE CREDIT for something God had done. He redirects Pharaoh's attention off off himself, and places it on God.

Now… does anyone know why this might be problematic in the presence of Pharoah?

In ancient Egypt, they served many “gods” in their culture AND the king of Egypt was also considered a “god” by the people.

Pharoah with all his authority and “power” and people around him had FAILED to get the answer to his dream.

And before we go condemning Pharoah for thinking he was the center of the universe… how many times do we place ourselves at the center of our worlds?

We take the credit, we claim the ability, we assume the authority, and in a sense… make gods of ourselves!

Pharoah was in a position of political power and authority and he had no answer. We may not rule a nation or govern people… but we still have the power to choose which way we will go: Will we trust God or trust ourselves?

Joseph made a very bold statement to Pharaoh. He took a massive leap of faith that by giving the one true God credit, that Pharoah wouldn’t shut him down.

But Pharoah was… desperate. He had been given a dream he didn’t understand that left him feeling… powerless.

He was surrounded by luxury and privilege and yet he was desperate… He sought answers… and Joseph revealed where that answer would come from… this was something only God could do.

The Answer Pharoah Desired.

Joseph’s choice of words here are interesting to me. Joseph knew Pharoah was desperate in this moment… why else would he bring a nobody prisoner to to throne room on the recommendation of one of his officials?

Stop and think about the moment. A king called for the help of a nobody prisoner who just happened to cross paths with the cupbearer when he was in trouble.

Genesis 41:8 tells us what is going on.

Genesis 41:8 NIV

8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

His mind was troubled. He wanted the answer to the dream and he was willing to pull a guy from prison hoping to get what he desired.

And so Joseph, with the help of God, was going to give him the answer Pharoah desired.

Now, to be clear, the answer is what was desired. The interpretation may not have gone the way Pharaoh wanted it to go… but God gave Pharoah the truth… the desired answer.

Th Baker in the previous chapter got the wanted answer but not the desired interpretation. Pharaoh would receive the same thing.

Regarding the answer, 7 years of flourishing as a nation sounds pretty good, right? Who wouldn’t want 7 years of record breaking provision?

But the 7 years to follow would be the exact opposite. Those seven years would be difficult. Seven years of harsh famine is not a report anyone wants to hear - but it was an answer.

My point is… God ALWAYS answers… but it is not always the answer we want. His answer is according to His will, not ours.

I have received answers from God that I wanted, and I have received answers that I did not like. I have both rejoiced and wrestled with God regarding His answer given to me.

But at the end of the day… IT WAS GOD’S ANSWER. And it was up to me to trust and obey. TO REMAIN FAITHFUL AND TO KNOW GOD WAS WORKING.

And Pharaoh’s response is… to trust God’s answer. How do we know this? Because he places the man, Joseph, who is hearing from and discerning God’s wisdom, to help the nation navigate the next 14 years.

Joseph is put in charge of EVERYTHING. And because of Joseph’s obedience to the Lord, he is able to store up enough resources to take care of Egypt and those who need to buy supplies from them.

Genesis 41:53-57 tells the story.

Genesis 41:53–57 NIV

53 The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. 55 When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.” 56 When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. 57 And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.

God not only used Joseph to save all of Egypt, but He used Him to save the world around Egypt.

And yet… the dream had not come to fruition. Joseph was not where he dreamed he would be. But his day was coming… he was holding on to what God had given him.

And there is one more thing that God showed me as I studied this that I want to bring to our attention. It’s something we might miss if we are not careful.

Remember Joseph’s Back Story.

I’m curious… how many tonight would enjoy being in the kind of royal position Joseph found himself in?

He had no formal education, he had no experience in ruling the land. Yet what He had was enough - the favor of God.

If you’re like me, when I hear amazing stories like this I think, “Man, I wish God would use me in a way like that!” And… maybe a little bit of envy begins to creep up.

But never forget… before Joseph was given charge of everything in Egypt but the throne, Joseph went through a valley he never saw coming.

His training was through perseverance. His training was through faithfulness. His training came through the life of a slave and prisoner.

Joseph lived in the favor of the Lord and although he was given authority by his master and warden, he was still a slave and prisoner.

Here’s my point - we often want ALL the blessing… but none of the suffering. Before Joseph was ruler of the land, he had to pay his dues. He had to be FAITHFUL in the struggle in order to receive the reward!

We need to be careful when looking at others in high positions because of their faith with envious eyes. Because it is likely that before they ended up on the mountain, they had to walk through the valley.

And I see it illustrated through the work Joseph accomplished in Egypt.

The seven years of blessing may appear as the “mountain” if you will, but I see it differently… it was the valley.

They had to work, they had to ration. They had to be obedient and not splurge. They had to prepare. They had to strategize and plan. They had to not get lost in the moment and remember what was coming. AND ALL OF THIS WAS AN ACT OF FAITH. Similar to Noah’s situation… everything was going great! Why would they fear that a famine was coming?

So when the famine hit and the land was desolate, Egypt found themselves not in the valley, but on the mountain. They had what they needed and then some because of their faithfulness and perseverance.

They were able to sell to others in this time of need. God used Joseph and this nation to save the world from this severe famine. This was something only God could do!

Church, the road to spiritual greatness is often lined with suffering and sacrifice. It will often include moments that will test our faith and resolve. It will stretch us and cause us to deepen our resolve in our decision to follow the Lord.

But when the day comes… when the dream or promise is realized… it will all but be the valley that God used to lead us to the mountain.

So… don’t get lost in envy… don’t get sidetracked in comparison. STAY FAITHFUL and remember… WE CANNOT DO THIS BUT GOD WILL GET YOU THROUGH! He has and is the answer you desire!