The Development of a Dream

INTRODUCTION:

One of the great stories that gets repeated over and over again is the “rag to riches” story. It’s the plot behind some of the greatest fairy tales and superhero stories.

Out of seeming obscurity comes an unsuspecting hero who overcomes the obstacles and saves the day.

Cinderella, Frodo Baggins, Rocky Balboa, Harry Potter, Alladin, on and on we could go.

These rag to riches stories have their origins in the greatest story ever told - the story of the Gospel - and were forecasted as early as the book of Genesis with men like Jospeh.

Last we left Jospeh he had been sold into slavery into the house of Potiphar until Potiphar’s wife was scorned by his unwillingness to sleep with her and forced her husband to throw him into prison.

Last week Taylor brought a great message on what it looks like to walk with God in the land of our afflictions.

This week Joseph is going to come OUT of that season of waiting and into a season of exaltation and greatness.

Between Two Dreams

Genesis 41 opens with the words, “at the end of two years Pharoah had a dream…”

Genesis 41:1 CSB

1 At the end of two years Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile,

For those of you who are new to the story of Jospeh these two years were…

preceded by an unjust prison sentence at bottom of a dungeon for doing nothing wrong.

preceded by several more years serving as a slave in the house of Potiphar.

preceded by several more years of hostility and mistreatment by his brothers.

And those years were preceded by a dream that came from God.

It’s really a powerful juxtaposition.

Between the dream that God gives Jospeh and the dream that God gives Pharoah 13 years go by.

13 years makes by …

meanness from his brothers for being his father’s beloved son,

a murderous plot that got him sold into slavery,

a manipulative woman who slandered his name for maintaining his integrity

fair weather friends who were glad to be helped by Jospeh but refused to return the favor.

Joseph successfully interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker who happened to be thrown into prison along side him.

He pleads with the cupbearer to remember him when it got back in front of Pharoah. (Genesis 40:14)

Genesis 40:23 CSB

23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.

The years that follow illustrate God’s approach to developing a dream from start to finish.

Imagine what it would’ve felt like for Jospeh during those years.

Joseph didn’t have any Bible verses memorized. He didn’t even have other believers encouraging him to hold fast and keep trusting the Lord.

All he had was his dream 13 years ago that one day his brothers would be bowing down to him as an authority figure in their life.

Imagine what those years of waiting might’ve felt like? What would you have done?

More than that, how would you respond after those years of waiting were exchanged with a golden opportunity to have what you always wanted.

Genesis 41 gives us an answer to that question.

WORKING WHILE YOU WAIT

A dream delayed isn’t a dream denied. God might be developing the landscape so your dream can come true.

That’s certainly the case of what God was doing as Jospeh waited on God from the bottom of that prison.

Genesis 41:1–8 CSB

1 At the end of two years Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the Nile, 2 when seven healthy-looking, well-fed cows came up from the Nile and began to graze among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside those cows along the bank of the Nile. 4 The sickly, thin cows ate the healthy, well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. 5 He fell asleep and dreamed a second time: Seven heads of grain, plump and good, came up on one stalk. 6 After them, seven heads of grain, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven plump, full ones. Then Pharaoh woke up, and it was only a dream. 8 When morning came, he was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

The first thing to remember when God is developing a dream is “in seasons of waiting remember God is working!”

Sometimes God will purposefully bring us into a season of waiting because there are things he needs to accomplish during that season he cannot accomplish any other way.

When you read through the Scripture it’s easy to assume the great men and women of God just naturally entered their seasons of greatness. But that is rarely ever the case.

They usually have to go through LONG seasons of preparation and transformation before God finally gives them the platform that makes them great or the opportunity that brings great success.

What was God working on in the life of Jospeh?

Probably many things: patience, character, perseverance, faith.

But God was also working outside of that prison and that was something Jospeh couldn’t have had eyes to see. They only thing he had available to him was a promise from God and a heart of faith.

Pharaoh’s Dream

Meanwhile, God was doing important work in and around Pharoah!

Did you notice how God is paving the way for Joseph to resurface in this story?

First, Pharoah wakes up after a disturbing dream about cannibalistic cows.

Then, he goes back down only have a second dream of cannibalistic grain stalks.

Troubled by these dreams he calls in the smartest men of Egypt. The word translated “magicians” meant the top discerners of the day (most educated and sophisticated.)

But none of them were able to interpret the meaning of the dreams.

I love the irony of Egypts most educated men being totally unable to interpret the dreams for Pharoah.

That’s often how God opens a door of opportunity for the Gospel. He will frustrate the understanding and wisdom of the world in which we live.

When the world runs out of answers it looks to people who have a connection that understand the things beyond this world.

Genesis 41:9–15 CSB

9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I remember my faults. 10 Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and he put me and the chief baker in the custody of the captain of the guards. 11 He and I had dreams on the same night; each dream had its own meaning. 12 Now a young Hebrew, a slave of the captain of the guards, was with us there. We told him our dreams, he interpreted our dreams for us, and each had its own interpretation. 13 It turned out just the way he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged.” 14 Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and they quickly brought him from the dungeon. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to Pharaoh. 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it.”

I love the humility of the cupbearer when the light bulb comes on and he realizes he had forgotten about Jospeh.

It’s a painful irony of the condition of man in light of our fallen condition. We are so self-absorbed that instead of using our position to benefit others we leverage our fortune to benefit ourselves.

I love the fact that they bring Jospeh out “quickly” and get him shaven and changed before bringing him to Pharoah.

Pharoah even seems to “trash” his inside experts for their inability to do the job.

It highlights the hunger people have to understand the things of God but the limited insight that worldly wisdom can give.

Don’t Waste The Wait

Jospeh could not have known this and the Lord never shared it but all of these things had to happen in this order for Pharoah to call Jospeh in the way that he did.

When it comes to seasons of waiting we must humbly recognize the sovereignty of God.

If the cup bearer would’ve mentioned Jospeh early on then Pharoah might not’ve had need to bring him in and even if he did he might not’ve known where to find him.

More than that, if Jospeh had never been put into that prison in the first place then he would’ve never been there to interpret the cupbearer’s dream so that the cupbearer would remember him when Pharoah required the same.

Your problems might be the very platform that God places you on in the future.

You’re setbacks might be the very thing that God uses to setup your comeback.

His ways are not always our ways and our insight into God’s reasons are almost always found in hindsight, not the other way around.

So don’t waste your wait!

You can’t know for sure HOW God is working while you wait but you can indeed trust HE IS working while you wait. Don’t waste the wait.

OPPORTUNITIES AND ORIGINS

When Jospeh is finally given this opportunity we’re given a window into his heart and mind. He doesn’t respond as you might think.

Genesis 41:16 CSB

16 “I am not able to,” Joseph answered Pharaoh. “It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

A literal translations would be “Don’t look at me, Pharoah. God is the only one who can give you peace of mind.”

The first thing that Jospeh does is point the attention away from himself and towards the Lord.

I don’t know about you but I would’ve been pointing my fingers in a totally different direction.

I would’ve been pointing the finger at the cupbearer! What took you so long! How could you forget about me!?

Or, if not the cupbearer I might be pointing the finger at myself. “Well Pharoah, you see I just happen to be an EXPERT dream interpreter.

But he doesn’t do either of those things. He points the finger to God. God is the source of the interpretation of dreams.

With that Pharoah explains the weird dream.

Genesis 41:17–36 CSB

17 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile, 18 when seven well-fed, healthy-looking cows came up from the Nile and grazed among the reeds. 19 After them, seven other cows—weak, very sickly, and thin—came up. I’ve never seen such sickly ones as these in all the land of Egypt. 20 Then the thin, sickly cows ate the first seven well-fed cows. 21 When they had devoured them, you could not tell that they had devoured them; their appearance was as bad as it had been before. Then I woke up. 22 In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, full and good, coming up on one stalk. 23 After them, seven heads of grain—withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind—sprouted up. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven good ones. I told this to the magicians, but no one can tell me what it means.” 25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years. The dreams mean the same thing. 27 The seven thin, sickly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind are seven years of famine. 28 “It is just as I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt. 30 After them, seven years of famine will take place, and all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten. The famine will devastate the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered because of the famine that follows it, for the famine will be very severe. 32 Since the dream was given twice to Pharaoh, it means that the matter has been determined by God, and he will carry it out soon. 33 “So now, let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this: Let him appoint overseers over the land and take a fifth of the harvest of the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 Let them gather all the excess food during these good years that are coming. Under Pharaoh’s authority, store the grain in the cities, so they may preserve it as food. 36 The food will be a reserve for the land during the seven years of famine that will take place in the land of Egypt. Then the country will not be wiped out by the famine.”

God is the Source

Not once. Not twice. But THREE TIMES Joseph directs Pharaoh’s attention to the activity of the Lord.

Even when Jospeh has the opportunity to elevate himself as an expert dream interpreter or wise person who could oversee the future needs - he doesn’t do so.

He says to find “discerning and wise men.” The humility is unbelievable.

It illustrates another truth when God develops our dreams:

“In days of opportunity, remember God is the origin.”

I know it feels a little bulky but the word choice is intentional.

The “origin” of something means the initial source or birthplace of a particular thing.

It’s tempting to assume our opportunities begin and end with us. But they don’t. They begin and end in God.

God is the origin story of every blessed life.

And that’s where Jospeh is pointing Pharoah over and over again. It’s God. It’s God. It’s God.

The reason you had the two dreams back to back is because God has determined this to happen this way.

There’s is no backing out. There’s no changing God’s mind. The dream is from God. Here is what God is going to do and here’s how we need to respond.

Application

I wonder when you have opportunities to bless another person or to advance your own reputation whether you point people to God at the expense of yourself?

When providing counsel for a hurting heart do you take credit for the wisdom or do you point people to the source?

When you provide a meal to your family do you elevate your own hard work or the God who provided the job?

Every opportunity we have in life is an opportunity to point to God.

When God provides you with a platform point to his goodness instead of your gifts.

Don’t waste your seasons of waiting and don’t miss your opportunity to point people to Jesus.

GREATNESS AND GLORY

Even though Jospeh points away from himself and directs attention to the Lord - Pharoah rightly recognizes he is the man best suited for this job.

The seven years of plenty required someone who was disciplined and focused and would make the right decision instead of getting drunk on success.

So Pharoah gives Jospeh a promotion and makes him head over the entire project.

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.”

The change in fortune had to be dizzying for Jospeh. He went from the bottom of a dungeon to the second in command!

In days of greatness, remember God gets the glory.

He’s given Pharaoh’s signet ring which was basically an unlimited credit card.

People are now commanded to “obey his commands.”

Servant’s announce “make way!”

Gold chain. Fine linen garments. Nobody makes a move without his permission.

People were making much of Jospeh! Rightly so. He was filled with the spirit and had great wisdom and discernment. I’m not saying he didn’t deserve the recognition.

But that kind of praise and adoration can corrupt a person if they’re not keen on giving God the glory.

Nobody can raise his hand or foot without your permission? That kind of power can go to a person’s head. And history is replete with examples of that kind of totalitarian corruption.

So how do you keep yourself from that kind of moral compromise.

How do you make much of God when people make much of you?

Forgetting Who

\We see a couple of clues in the verses that follow.

With his new promotion Jospeh also got an Egyptian title and Egyptian spouse.

Genesis 41:45–46 CSB

45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah and gave him a wife, Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest at On. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt. 46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout the land of Egypt.

The name “Zaphenath-paneah” is debated because of it’s Egyptian origins. Some say it means “revealer of secrets.” Some say it means “God speaks & lives.”

The main point is that Jospeh goes from Hebrew slave to Egyptian authority. He’s obviously still a Hebrew but he’s been thoroughly assimilated into Egyptian life and high culture at that.

To make much of God when people make much of you…

#1. Don’t forget WHO you really are: son/daughter of God.

Joseph was married into a family that was at the center of Egyptian religious worship.

If anybody would’ve ever been tempted to forget about the Lord during a season of success it would’ve been Jospeh.

But he fought to remember I’m not a child of Rah I’m a child of God.

Joseph didn’t allow the seasons of success to blind him to the glory of God or his identity as a child of God.

When the culture tries to give you another name - remember your roots and your identity in Jesus.

Forgetting What

The second thing Jospeh does is remember his primary responsibility.

Genesis 41:47–49 CSB

47 During the seven years of abundance the land produced outstanding harvests. 48 Joseph gathered all the excess food in the land of Egypt during the seven years and put it in the cities. He put the food in every city from the fields around it. 49 So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance—like the sand of the sea—that he stopped measuring it because it was beyond measure.

Because of Pharoah’s dream Joseph knew that these years of success were not primarily for spending but primarily for saving.

To make much of God when people make much of you.

#1. Don’t forget WHO you are. (A accepted child of God.)

#2. Don’t forget WHAT you are. (An accountable steward for God.)

Joseph’s responsibility was to be a good steward of the resources God had put at his disposal.

It would’ve required tremendous discipline to not let the abundance of the harvest lead Jospeh to compromise the plan to save for a rainy day.

Don’t let prestige define you.

Don’t let success deceive you.

Forgetting Why

The third evidence of Jospeh glorifying God in his success can be seen with the naming of his children.

Genesis 41:50–52 CSB

50 Two sons were born to Joseph before the years of famine arrived. Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest at On, bore them to him. 51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh and said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and my whole family.” 52 And the second son he named Ephraim and said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Joseph refused to forget WHO he was (accepted child.)

He refused to forget WHAT he was (accountable steward.)

Finally refused to forget WHY he was successful: God’s amazing grace.

This is all highlighted by the naming of his children.

The first son is named Manasseh which means, “God has made me forget all my hardship and my whole family.”

In saying this Jospeh isn’t saying that he’s forgotten all about his background and childhood experiences.

We know that because in the next few chapters Jospeh expresses how much he missed his brothers when they’re reunited.

In forgetting his hardship and his whole family Jospeh is essentially forgiving them for all of the harm that they caused him.

This season of success put Joseph in a position where he could see even though they meant it for evil, God meant it for God. So I don’t have to hold revenge in my heart to make things right. I’m trusting the Lord with my future instead.

Similarly, the name of his second child - Ephraim - means God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.

As in the case of forgiving his brothers he is also celebrating the grace of God while suffering in Egypt.

He’s saying, “God’s grace is the reason I keep having the success I’ve had.”

Because of God’s grace I was sold to Potiphar as opposed to somebody else. .

Because of God’s grace I was made a top assistant at the bottom of the dungeon.

Because of God’s grace I was remembered at just the right time to give me this promotion.

Because of God’s grace I’ve been given this wonderful wife and two children as well.

As the classic song reminds us, “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. Twas GRACE that brought me safe thus far and GRACE will lead me home.”

Forgetting When

The last thing Jospeh does to glorify God in this new season of success is remember when it was time to be generous.

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.

Not only did Joseph remember who and what he was (son & steward.)

Not only did Joseph remember WHY God has blessed him (amazing grace.)

Jospeh also remembered WHEN to be generous. (when the need is great.)

Just as it would’ve been extremely tempting to consume all the grain when it was being produced in abundance.

So also would it have been tempting to hoard all the grain when the famine was spreading.

This is what makes Christians so different than the rest of the world. Because our identity is in Christ and because our reward is in heaven we are much more likely to manage our resources so that we can be a blessing to those in need.

This is what it looks like to glorify God in a season of greatness.

Be RICH towards God and not rich towards yourselves.

CONCLUSION

This is what it looks like when God develops a dream. And you might find yourself at any given point on this pendulum.

You might be in a season of waiting.

You might be in a season of opportunity.

You might be in a season of greatness.

Wherever you are remember God is always WORKING, God is the GIVER of every good gift and you are ACCOUNTABLE for how you steward every season of your dream.

When you juxtapose Jospeh with the Lord Jesus Christ you also see some amazing similarities.

He too came out of seeming obscurity when he was 30 years old.

His gifting impressed the world but he pointed people to the Father and himself as the Messiah.

He waited and waited and waited on God to the point of suffering death on a cross.

But at the right time God highly exalted him and gave him the name above every other name.

So that at the name of Jesus every knee would bow and tongue confess that HE IS LORD.

What the Lord foreshadows through Joseph he completed in Jesus and through Jesus he can do the same thing for you.

But you’ve got to be willing to repent and believe. Cooperate with God as he develops your dream. Regardless of your season what does obedience look like for you?

Let’s act on that now in this time of response.