Joseph Part 3

Introduction

-reminder of where we left Joseph off: in prison for working hard, having high integrity, and fleeing temptation (read Genesis 39:19-23)

I. Two Prisoners and Two Dreams (Genesis 40:1-23)

A. (vs. 1-8) While Pharaoh was angry with his servants we see God bless Joseph

1. The servants were put in Joseph’s care (his responsibility). Apparently, Joseph’s care and attitude had improved the baker/cupbearer’s demeanor (vs. 6)

2. Joseph aligned himself with God and showed how God was on his side (vs. 8)

a. He had never interpreted dreams before, though, he had two significant ones before that had not come true yet

b. Even so, he had faith in God, who caused him to prosper in all things

c. Joseph’s desire was to take care of these men and he trusted that God would work through him the answer to their dreams.

B. The Cupbearer’s Dream (vs. 9-11)

1. There was a vine with 3 branches that were budding. It’s blossoms came out and produced clusters of ripe grapes. Pharaoh’s cup was in his hand and he squeezed the grapes into the cup and gave it to Pharaoh

2. Joseph’s interpretation: the branches are 3 days: in 3 days Pharaoh will restore the cupbearer to his original position. (vs. 12-13)

a. Joseph expressed his desire to be free from prison (vs. 14-15)

b. Notice, he did not blame his brothers for their sin. He said he was kidnapped, stolen away from his homeland, instead of sold into slavery

c. Joseph was innocent and he wanted to be free.

C. Baker’s dream (vs. 16-17)

1. In a similar manner, the baker’s dream had 3 baskets of white bread on his head. The birds were eating all the baked goods that were meant for Pharaoh.

2. Joseph’s interpretation: Again, 3 baskets is 3 days. However, Pharaoh will lift up the baker to the gallows where birds will eat his flesh (vs. 18-19). I guess you could say that assumptions kill.

3. It happened exactly as Joseph had said. Amazing!

a. God made the Dreamer an Interpreter

b. The problem? Joseph made one request of the cupbearer, to be brought up to Pharaoh that he may get out of prison and the cupbearer forgot about him in all the excitement (vs. 23).

II. Pharaoh’s Two Dreams (Genesis 41:1-32)

A. Two full years later Pharaoh had 2 dream that perplexed him (vs. 1-7)

1. First: 7 fat cows that ate all the marsh grass followed by 7 skinny cows that ate the fat ones. Second: 7 ears of grain came up from a single stalk that were plump and good. Then 7 ears that were thin and scorched popped up and swallowed up the good ears.

2. This caused a troubled spirit in Pharaoh, he knew there had to be something more to his dreams (vs. 8-13)

a. He sought the wise men and magicians in Egypt and none of them could tell the meaning of the dream

b. It was then that the cupbearer remembered Joseph and he told Pharaoh about what happened 2 years previously. So, Pharaoh sent for Joseph

B. They cleaned up Joseph and brought him before Pharaoh, who explained the situation to him, saying, “I have heard it said about you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it”.

1. Joseph, who is looking at his one chance of freedom in years, tells his captor, “I can’t do it” (vs. 16a)

a. Uh oh… “If you can’t do it then why are you here?!” Surely the cupbearer had a moment’s panic

b. But Joseph continued, “I can’t, but God can and will (again, he was acting in faith)” (vs. 16).

2. Pharaoh then explained his dreams again (vs. 17-24)

a. Once all was heard, God gave the meaning to Joseph (vs. 25-32): God told Pharaoh what He was about to do (vs. 25)

b. Both dreams had the same meaning, it was repeated to show that God would do this thing and it would be done quickly. 7 fat cows/good ears are 7 years of plenty while the 7 skinny cows/bad ears are 7 years of intense famine.

III. Joseph’s Promotion (Genesis 41:33-

A. Joseph then gave a suggestion for Pharaoh to take action (vs. 33-37)

1. He bid Pharaoh to find a wise man who would be able to oversee the plentiful harvest and save one-fifth until the years of famine. The Egyptians would not just survive, they would thrive.

2. Pharaoh loved the idea and could see that no one would be better at the job than Joseph (vs. 38-44)

a. Since God was with him there was no one with greater wisdom and discernment

b. Joseph was put in charge of everything in the kingdom, only Pharaoh had more power

c. He trusted Joseph enough to give him the king’s signet ring and threw him a parade to show the whole nation that Joseph was not second in command.

B. Rewards for Joseph (vs. 46-57)

1. He got a new name: Zaphenath-paneah

2. He got a wife (Asenath)

3. He had great success to the point of no more measuring (vs. 49)

4. He had 2 sons: Manasseh (Forget) and Ephraim (Fruitful)

5. He had trust from his boss (vs. 55)

C. What did Joseph do with all those rewards? He gave generously (vs. 56-57)

Application/Conclusion

Joseph had to endure betrayal, slavery, lies, and prison for 13 years before fulfilling God’s purpose, Abraham had to wait 25 years for God’s promise of a son through Sarah, David had to wait decades before officially reigning as king, Israel waited for 1,500 years before their Messiah came, the Kingdom of Judah waited 70 years before being restored to their homeland from Babylon, and more. God is not sitting idly by just watching you struggle. He is getting you ready for the purpose He has for you. It’s not on your timetable because He knows the perfect timing.

It might have taken 13 years but Joseph had forgotten his affliction and was abundantly blessed. He was helping people and following God’s plan. In fact, he had been the whole time. But notice something, he didn’t force this position on himself, God worked it all out. Joseph simply sought to please God in everything and lived by faith. He believed God was good and looked for ways to obey His will. Joseph was faithful with a few things (Potiphar’s house and prison) so God put him in charge of many things (a nation). What does God have in store for you? You won’t find out unless you pursue God’s will and seek to please Him in everything.

Sometimes people may forget about you, you may feel alone, and you might not understand why things are happening the way they are. Remember, the groanings of this life are temporary, you are heavenbound and will be there before you know it. But, what should you do in the meantime? Pursue God:

2 Peter 3:8–14 “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish”

Why are you in this position now? Only God knows. Live holy and godly lives, then one day you’ll look back and see how God’s hand has worked through you. Ultimately, you will have your reward when Jesus returns. Stay faithful and watch how God will work through you.