01-95 The Exaltation of Joseph, Part 1

Genesis 41:1-37

There will always be the debate as to whether leaders are born or made. Certainly some people have a natural gifting/ability and a personality that make others simply want to follow. That’s largely what leadership it. J. Oswald Sanders (Spiritual Leadership) writes “Leadership is influence, the ability of one person to influence others to follow his or her lead.” This principle is firmly established in both secular and sacred contexts.

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz “Leadership may be defined as that quality that inspires sufficient confidence in subordinates as to be willing to accept his views and carry out his commands.”

Natural-born leaders radiate that confidence that influences others. But surely great leaders are also made. Leadership qualities can be developed, honed and refined and you can see this in the men Jesus chose to lead His church. They were uneducated, unrefined men but 3 years with the Master gave them what they needed to become effective leaders (influencers) at the beginning of the church.

Those 3 years brought circumstances thru which Jesus developed the character in those men—proving leaders are both born and made. We return to our study of Genesis and come once again to this young man—Joseph. He was only 17 years old when his brothers sold him into slavery and when he would find himself as a servant in Potiphar’s house. He was quickly elevated in position and responsibility b/c he was a trustworthy servant. He was also a very good looking young man and his appearance caught the eye of his master’s wife who kept tempting him to sexual immorality. He alway refused and would be falsely accused and jailed b/c of his high integrity, love for his master and love for God. In prison, he was again given responsibility and when 2 servants of Pharaoh were sent to jail, Joseph interpreted their dreams (good and bad) but was quickly forgotten. That’s where we left our study in 40:23. Forgotten by man but not by God.

In ch 41—We’re going to see God’s plan to exalt Joseph and this morning (2 parts) I want to highlight 7 features that will set the background to Joseph being elevated to the 2nd highest position of power in Egypt. As Genesis continues to promote God’s glory and purpose and plan, we can see His activity in these circumstances which ought to give you comfort and hope in your own.

1. The Dreams

1-7

“now it happened…” 2 years have passed since Pharaoh’s birthday on which he—40:21. 2 Years Joseph has been forgotten in that jail. He is 30 years old at this point (41:46). The last 13 years he has been without a home, without a family, and from the human perspective—without hope. Yet Joseph was never really without hope. He trusted the Lord and knew the timing of the Lord’s purposes were under control. These 13 years in Egypt have proven the character of Joseph above his brothers and certainly above even his father (Jacob) and grand-father (Isaac). Those were men whom God had chosen for His own but Joseph is a man of high integrity and love for the Lord.

As though the whole timing were under God’s providential hand, “it happened” (not coincidental) that Pharaoh had a dream. And not just 1 dream but 2 dreams that were different but would convey the same message. We’ve actually seen many dreams already in Genesis and it seems like those dreams have been increasing in regularity as God is revealing His plans not only to the Hebrews but also to the pagan king of Egypt (Abimelech, Jacob, Laban, Joseph, Cupbearer, Baker).

Pharaoh’s 1st dream takes him to the bank of the Nile river. Mathews “The Nile water system was the most conspicuous feature of Egypt’s geography and the primary source of the country’s economic and social stability. The Nile was deified in Egyptian religion (god Hap or Hapy when Nile in flood), and the appearance of the cows from the river may have suggested to Pharaoh a close connection to the gods.”

He see 7 cows “sleek and fat” Sleek has the idea of beautiful—they looked good, healthy, what well fed and well cared for cows ought to look like. They were lit. fat of flesh. Then in his dream Pharaoh saw 7 more cows which were just the opposite (ugly and gaunt) which devoured the good plump cows.

Pharaoh woke up and fell back a sleep and had a 2nd dream—ears of corn. 7 ears plump and good—on a single stalk (highly unusual but a testament to the potency and productivity of the ground). Then 7 ears came up after them which were thin and scorched by and east wind (called a sirocco) blowing from the desert and is devastating to crops. These consume the plump ears just as the thin cows had eaten the fat cows before.

Pharaoh wakes up after these 2 dreams and Moses confirms “behold it was a dream.” But in this dream we have to recognize that God is revealing Himself, His purposes, His ways to mankind. Heb 1:1-2 confirm God used to communicate thru dreams (and other means) in OT times to reveal what He was doing and would do. The dreams of Pharaoh would be one of these ways. Of course, God has spoken to us, expressing the fulness of Himself in the person of LJC who is the Living Word. So we don’t need to seek hidden or obscured meaning in our dreams or other things b/c we have LJC.

There is another truth:

Proverbs 21:1 NASB95

1 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.

Though man will always be accountable for his actions, the Lord sovereignly and providentially directs people (especially leaders) in order to fulfill His purposes. These dreams are given to Pharaoh by the Lord (truth is confirmed thruout the account). In a very gentle was the Lord is directing Pharaoh’s heart so that God’s purposes and plans are confirmed—come to pass.

2. The Distress

8

After he awoke that next morning Pharaoh’s “spirit was troubled” (lit to thrust or impel) the dreams were like a dagger right thru his very soul. It distressed him and for good reason. Egyptian Pharaohs, supposedly gods themselves, were thought to live on the edge of the divine realms. So their dreams were given special credence. Their dreams were important. Now, Pharaoh was so upset that he needed answers and called for “magicians of Egypt” and the wise men to give him perspective.

According to William Ward, magicians of Egypt were lector priests. “A lector priest was one of the priestly officials concerned with the preservation of the written manuscripts kept in the temple libraries. A literal translation of this title would be: “He who is over the head of those who are in charge of the sacred festival writings.” He goes on to say: that they were “responsible for protecting the sacred writings and the great learned manuscripts for which Egypt is so famous. The logical place for these scholars to do their work was in the temple archives, or, as it was known in ancient times, the House of Life. The Houses of Life throughout ancient Egypt were repositories of learning where manuscripts having to do with medicine, magic, science, and related subjects were kept and copied, the storehouses of knowledge where the “secrets” of the wise men were hidden

Along with these magicians (scholars who dabbled in magic arts) Pharaoh summoned the wise men of the land to tell him what he needed to know. But Moses tells us “no one could interpret.” The priests, scholars, fortunetellers and interpreters of omens and signs, and readers of the stars and the planets—all of Egypt’s best couldn’t give Pharaoh what he needed.

The answers to the questions of your deepest thoughts, the concerns of your heart, the problems of your life cannot be satisfied by the wisdom of this world—b/c it is foolishness to God. Egypt stands as a figure of this world. As that was a land of idolatry and the center of paganism full of darkness—morally and spiritually, so too is this world where there is a powerlessness and worthlessness of all human wisdom.

1 Corinthians 3:19–20 NASB95

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.”

And on the other hand, the wisdom of God is foolishness to the world—they cannot understand (1 Cor 2:14).

1 Corinthians 1:18–19 NASB95

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”

This is why:

1 Corinthians 1:23–24 NASB95

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

So no one in Egypt, among all the leading thinkers of the day could interpret.

3. The Discovery

9-13

At this point, Pharaoh is panicked b/c the dreams were truly distressing him. This was not good: for the king, for the kingdom, for the people—especially those who couldn’t help. Reminds me of what happened when Nebuchadnezzar had those dreams and when no one could tell him the dream or interpret he’s ready to put them all to death—torn limb from limb. Then the cupbearer steps forward—perhaps a little sheepishly and he spoke to Pharaoh—vs 9ff.

There was a man in Pharaoh’s kingdom who was able to interpret those 2 separate dreams and they came true just as that “Hebrew” had said. The Cupbearer may not have even remembered Joseph’s name but remembered the man.

I want to read to you a comment made by John Chrysostom. He was born around the year 347 AD. He was so zealous to serve the Lord that he lived int he wilderness as a monk for 2 years basically memorizing the Bible. He was later appointed the bishop of Constantinople and his style, eloquence and substance of preaching had the people refer to him as “golden mouth”—one of the most famous preachers in church history.

Old Testament II: Genesis 12–50 (God’s Wonderful Design)

See God’s wonderful design. First he (God) let him (Pharaoh) have recourse to all those considered wise in those parts so that, when their ignorance was demonstrated, then this prisoner, this captive, this slave, this Hebrew, might be brought forward and unravel what was a mystery to so many, and thus Joseph might make clear to everyone the grace that had descended on him from above. So when all the wise men arrived and were unable to say anything or even open their mouths, then the chief cupbearer’s memory returned, and he informed Pharaoh of what had happened to him, saying, “Today I’m going to bring to light my fault.”

God used the cupbearer’s experience to bring Joseph before the king—it is here that Pharaoh discovered one who could bring meaning to his dreams.

4. The Dispatch

14

There is a sense of urgency within the palace and once Pharaoh learned of this prisoner he sent men who “hurriedly” brought Joseph out of the dungeon. We don’t really see it in our Eng translations but there is a string of Heb words that show how all those involved respond with a physical quickness that is underscored by a cheerful eagerness. And you can understand why. All those Pharaoh relied on had failed him and there was the matter of the king’s distress b/c of the dreams. On remembering Joseph…things move quickly (sent, called, brought, shaved, changed, came).

Notice what Jospeh does: shaves and changes his clothes. He is about to enter into the king’s presence. His prison clothes were unacceptable. He needs to shave and that meant probably the head as well as facial hair which was Egyptian custom. Now, this was markedly different from Heb custom since shaving like this was generally associated with regrettable personal circumstances (like leper Lev 14:8-9) and those which caused shame or grief.

Joseph has gone from the pit to the palace in one very quick moment. And though God is not mentioned here, it was His providential hand that brought Joseph into the presence of Pharaoh. The timing, forgetfulness of the cupbearer, the dreams, the failed interpreters…Extraordinary providence and I believe YHWH is even now with Joseph as He had been the entire time he has been in Egypt.

5. The Decipher

15-31

The bulk of this narrative has to do with Joseph’s ability to interpret the dreams that troubled Pharaoh. So Pharaoh begins the conversation—vs 15.

vs 16 The key verse to everything that is happening and will happen to Joseph, to Pharaoh, to Egypt, to Israel is sort of encapsulated in Joseph’s response. “It is not in me.” This is 1 word in Heb and has the idea of nothingness. The temptation for Joseph could have been to cater to the need of Pharaoh and give an eloquent speech of his innocence and ability but he can’t. For he understands his utter inability.

Scripture is clear:

James 4:6 (NASB95)

“God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Joseph had no ability and yet he wants Pharaoh to know that the cure for all his apprehensions can be found and could only be found in God. In fact, Joseph may have already had a revelation from the Lord b/c he says the answer will be favorable.

Joseph’s understanding (as a 30 year old man), is really what each of us needs to know: It is not in me/you. And this covers every area of your life. Physical, emotional, financial, spiritual…it is not in me.

Paul explains this of himself:

Romans 7:18 (NASB95)

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me

And that comes on the heels of the universal problem of mankind:

Romans 3:10–18 NASB95

10 as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; 11 There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; 12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave, With their tongues they keep deceiving,” “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”; 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood, 16 Destruction and misery are in their paths, 17 And the path of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

1 Corinthians 15:10 NASB95

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

You know what Paul is saying? Everything wrong in my life is b/c the problem is me (in me). But if there is any good and anything right in my life it is b/c God has produced it. By God’s grace I am what I am. By His grace (doing) I am a child of the King. b/c of His grace I am reconciled with my Creator and forgiven of my sin—all b/c of the work of LJC. By His grace alone, I am able to fulfill His calling on my life. If there is any good thing in my life it is b/c it is not in me for I am a man of inability (this is a resident truth in each one of us). Like Joseph, this is your testimony.

So Pharaoh relates the dreams to Joseph about the 7 cows and 7 ears of corn.

vs 25—There is a speed and quickness in the interpretation just as with the cupbearer and baker. Joseph wants to simplify the message for Pharaoh “one and the same.” Joseph has already affirmed that interpretations come from God but Pharaoh also needs to know that his dreams have also come from God.

“God has told…” Now, Joseph explains that both dreams have the same message: 7 good cows/ears of corn are 7 years. 7 poor cows/ear are 7 years of famine. This explanation is bookended with the same truth: “God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do.”

Genesis—Beginning and Blessing Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams (vv. 25–36)

Walter Brueggemann explains, “The future in Egypt does not depend upon Pharaoh. He does not get to decide. In fact, Pharaoh is irrelevant and marginal to the future of the kingdom.… Joseph has calmly announced to the lord of Egypt that the future is out of his hands.… In Gen. 41, it is clear that Pharaoh can cause no future. Nor can he resist the future that God will bring.”

Job states the same truth:

Job 42:2 NASB95

2 “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

The years of plenty and the years of famine will come from the Lord. Matthew 5 God sends the rain on the just and unjust. Sometimes He sends famine which is the result of judgment other times it is a matter of carrying out His much higher ways that we cannot understand.

Isaiah 55:9 NASB95

9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

In this case, the higher ways of the Lord will set things in motion to secure the plan of redemption that He has authored in eternity past.

For 7 years abundance will come on the land—vs 29. Then famine will be so severe that the years of abundance will be forgotten so as to “ravage the land” (vs 30 lit destroy) b/c the famine will be very severe. That term is the same word translated “glory” (kabod—heavy). The weight of God will actually be seen in what He will do by bringing famine to the land of Egypt.

God will do this.

6. The Determination

32

The repetition of the dreams was for Pharaoh’s sake to show him that the matter has been determined by God and that God will set the course in motion in a very quick time. That word means: established, prepared, made ready, fixed, certain, right

What is going to happen is secured by the sovereign hand of God, it is unalterable, it is unavoidable, it is irrevocable—there is not anything the king can do to prevent or postpone what the Lord has determined. The man who is arguably the most powerful man on the earth at that time needed to know that as the king of Egypt, he could do nothing to change the course determined by God. Kent Hughes adds “Kings do not make history—they only serve history, as Jesus would declare in his answer to Pilate’s question: “So Pilate said to him, ‘You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?’ Jesus answered him, ‘You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above’ ” (John 19:10, 11a).

We must remember this in these uncertain days—when evil regimes thumb their noses at justice, and millions cheer them on—when dark kings prevail with seeming impunity, and righteous people are engulfed by the night. Remember that these kings do not make history, but rather God uses them to effect his purposes.”

7. The Deployment

33-37

Joseph doesn’t say “well good-luck with that” but with a great deal of wisdom offers counsel to Pharaoh as to what he should do. Joseph gives him the application of his dream: set aside 20% each year for the next 7 years. Secure it, guard it and it will be a storehouse for when the years of famine come so the land of Egypt would not perish.

What remarkable grace of our God to warn the heathen so they can prepare. Its just the same as:

John 3:16 NASB95

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

This is what motivates the believer to world missions. We know how history is going to end—it will end with people redeemed from “every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9). So we pray and give and go!