Joseph Rises to Power (Gen 41:37-57)

Introduction

If you have your Bible, please open it to Genesis 41:37-57.

As you turn there, let me remind you of where we are in the text. We’ve been working through the life of Joseph over the past few months and despite the constant roller coaster of ups and downs, Joseph has learned and he’s grown—in integrity, in character, and even in his ability to steward vast resources well.

Last week, we watched as the chief cupbearer finally remembered that he had told Joseph that he would remember him despite a two year waiting period for that remembrance to happen; and in finally remembering him, Joseph was released from prison and taken to Pharaoh to interpret Pharaoh’s two dreams.

And the interpretation for both dreams is rather simple—there will be seven years of great bounty in terms of food and sustenance before seven years of significant famine that will devastate not just Egypt, but also all the surrounding nations. Pharaoh is assured of this destruction (1) because the dreams themselves were from God, (2) because the repeated dream affirms that it will certainly happen according to Joseph, and (3) because the interpretation of those dreams were assured based off the fact that Joseph had previously rightly interpreted the chief cupbearer’s and chief baker’s dreams.

Joseph has just given this interpretation to Pharaoh and he gives a bit of direction as to what he thinks Pharaoh is to do—a proposal to safeguard Egypt—this is where we come into the account this morning.

Let’s read Genesis 41:37-57.

Genesis 41:37–57 ESV

37 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. 46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. 47 During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, 48 and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. 49 And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured. 50 Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” 52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” 53 The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” 56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.

As we study this passage together, we’re going to divide it into two parts: (1) Joseph’s Mission (37-52) and (2) The Famine (53-57). Joseph is commissioned by Pharaoh to enact the proposal that Joseph gave him. I think you might’ve noticed that Pharaoh’s reasoning for selecting Joseph really isn’t predicated on Joseph, but this is a significant point to be made—the reasoning for Pharaoh choosing Joseph to do this is God Himself, but we’ll get back to that later on.

As we think through this text, my goal is for you to see two truths (1) tying in with last week’s message—God equips you for what He has called you to do and (2) God providentially works for the good of His people. Thus, you ought to trust Him while continuing to serve Him—in fact, your trust in Him ought to convince you that serving Him is the only thing that really makes sense.

Prayer for Illumination

Joseph’s Mission (37-52)

Pharaoh chooses Joseph (37-45) — our text starts by telling us that Pharaoh was pleased by Joseph’s proposal.

Reasoning for Pharaoh choosing Joseph (37-39) — initially, he reached out to his own people to find someone that matched Joseph’s description, but he ended up choosing Joseph.

After hearing Joseph’s proposal, he asked his servants a question, “Can we find a man like this?”

Now, of course, in our minds, we’re thinking of his question in terms of what Joseph said—they need to find someone discerning and wise—someone who is essentially trustworthy and able to gather up the food efficiently for the purpose of saving the people.

However, Pharaoh adds a phrase in his question concerning this person, “can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?”

Now, I do want to clarify something—Pharaoh didn’t suddenly become a believer in Yahweh, in fact, you probably have a footnote that says that this could also be translated as, “can we find a man like this, in whom is the spirit of the gods.”

Some translations, like the NASB says, “can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?”

And that makes sense, because the Egyptian people were pantheistic—they worshiped a pantheon of gods—so Pharaoh just assumes that one of these gods is somehow working in Joseph.

And it’s this apparent connection to divinity that causes Pharaoh to really choose him. How do we know? Because of v. 39, “Since God,” which translates the generic elohim “has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.”

Pharaoh doesn’t necessarily believe in Yahweh, but he does believe that Joseph knows a god who has revealed things to him.

Thus, Pharaoh chooses Joseph for this role—now, it probably doesn’t hurt that Pharaoh would be aware of who Joseph was and what he did prior to this moment—he was a prisoner, but he was a good prisoner; he was a slave, but he was a good slave—however, those don’t seem to be the primary reason for Pharaoh to choose Joseph—rather, the primary reason seems to be that since Joseph has some connection with a divine being, he should be the person that does this.

Joseph’s position, rank, authority, and role (40-45) — and in choosing Joseph, Joseph is quickly elevated to a significant position.

Pharaoh literally makes Joseph the second in command for the entire nation—”only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”

We see some notable ideas in vv. 40-45 that really reinforce how much authority Joseph had in Egypt.

You see Pharaoh’s statement, but then you also see Pharaoh give Joseph a signet ring—a signet ring is a symbol utilized in the Ancient Near East to make the claim that the individual with it has just as much authority as the person whose name or sign or marking is on the ring.

Not only does Joseph receive the signet ring, but he also gets the fine clothing and a gold chain—all of which symbolize the amount of authority and power that he has in Egypt.

This idea of him riding in the second chariot—again, shows Joseph’s authority, rank, and position—Pharaoh didn’t just say that Joseph was in charge, he made it abundantly clear to anyone who would see him that Joseph was in charge.

Even to the extent that when Joseph entered a room, when he traveled, when he did anything—someone would cry out for all the people around him to “bow the knee.” Something that’s typically only reserved for Pharaoh himself.

This is a significant difference from the man who was in prison through no fault of his own.

This is a significant difference from the young man who was a slave because his brothers hated him.

This is even a significant difference from the boy who was favored by his father and who wore the clothing of someone with stature before he even had stature—he now has authority, rank, power, and a role—but you notice that as is consistent with his character, he doesn’t lord his authority, rank, or power over people whatsoever—how do we know? Because of how he does his job.

Joseph starts his mission (46-52) — Joseph starts his job in vv. 46-52.

In particular, you’ll notice in vv. 46-49 that Joseph prepares the nation for famine—he’s quick about it, he’s methodical, and he does exactly as he said he would.

At the age of thirty, Joseph enters into the service of Pharaoh and he personally travels throughout all the land of Egypt during the years of plenty.

As he travels, the earth produces food abundantly and Joseph gathers up all the food to put it in the cities—to place it into storehouses.

And v. 49 says that Joseph stores up so much food that it was like the “sand of the sea” and he eventually stopped measuring the food because there simply was too much to measure.

And the beauty of the whole situation isn’t just that God blessed Joseph in this way through this providing of sustenance, but that Joseph actually recognized that this was all God’s doing—we see his recognition of God’s work in vv. 50-52.

Joseph has two son by his wife Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, who was the priest on On.

In their names, you see just how much Joseph recognizes what all God had done—his firstborn is named Manasseh and his second son is named Ephraim and as is the custom of the Ancient Near East, both names have a meaning:

Manasseh’s name means “causing to forget,” which helps us understand Joseph’s statement, “‘For . . . God has made me forget all my hardship and [even] all my father’s house.’”

Ephraim’s name means “to bear fruit” or “to be fruitful,” which helps us understand Joseph’s statement, “for God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Again, note that Joseph gives all the credit to God.

Also note, that he never tries to say that the afflictions that he experienced before were non-existent or that they weren’t hard on him, but rather, that God had used his life in such a way that those hardships paled in consideration of what all had become of him and his life.

Transition: Now, the text isn’t over, yet because it actually ends with the famine starting. It essentially sets the stage for everything left in Joseph’s life. And just like God had revealed to Joseph through the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams, the famine hits hard and it is absolutely devastating to not just Egypt, but to all the surrounding nations. Let’s read vv. 53-57 again.

The Famine (53-57)

Genesis 41:53–57 ESV

53 The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” 56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.

The famine starts (53-55) — the famine starts at the end of the seven years of plenty and the Bible is very quick to point out that it happened just as Joseph said it would.

Now, beyond that, we don’t know many details, but it is exactly how God said it would happen.

The famine is so significant that Egypt ran out of bread. When the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried out to Pharaoh, who then directed them to Joseph.

Note that the famine is so severe that it isn’t even just Egypt coming to Joseph—the Bible speaks of the famine being in all the lands to the extent that people from other nations were coming to Egypt to buy grain.

Again, we’re not given many details.

We’re given just enough to know that the famine really is just as severe as Joseph said it would be.

We’re told that the famine affected multiple nations.

And we’re told that those other nations were coming to Egypt for aid.

God provides through Joseph (56-57) — and then we’re told how God provided for all these people through Joseph and the work that Joseph had done throughout the seven years of plenty.

When famine had spread and everything was severe enough that they started coming to Joseph for aid.

Then Joseph opened all the storehouses—though, you do notice something, Joseph doesn’t just gift the food to all the people in need, he sells the food to the people of Egypt.

In fact, he sells the food to anyone who comes because the famine was so severe.

It seems like a minor detail right now, but the Bible will point out later that after all these people run out of money to purchase food, they all gift their homes and their land and everything—not to Joseph, but through Joseph to Pharaoh.

Which explains how things get to be how they are later in Egyptian history.

It also starts setting the stage for Joseph to bring his family to Egypt and then it sets the stage for what becomes their enslavement to Egypt, but we’ll get there a little bit later.

Transition: Now, as it’s become clear for most of us, when we deal with narratives, there are some difficulties in application. You don’t want to read a narrative and walk away just thinking “oh, that’s a nice story.” Nor do you want to allegorize it or moralize it—you don’t want to read a narrative and turn everything into symbolism and you don’t want to read a narrative and think “everything that the main character does is prescriptive—I need to do the same.” We’re always looking for the underlying universal principle when we seek to understand and interpret narrative.

And I’ve already actually explained what they are—at the beginning of this morning’s sermon.

Tying in with last week, God equips you for what He has called you to do and more focusing on this week, God providentially works for your good.

Let’s discuss these ideas in our remaining few minutes:

Application

God Equips you for what He has Called you to do—this application point actually started in last week’s sermon; however, I think it’s worth repeating as we consider all that God uses Joseph to do to save Egypt and to save His own people.

Joseph learned the skills that he needed to be able to do what he does for Egypt and God’s people through his life.

Consider his stewardship of Potiphar’s home

Even though it wasn’t his home or his property, he treated it all as if it was his home.

Think of the money management, resource management, staff management, etc.

Think about how he deals with Potiphar’s wife, who tempts him—that it would not be right because (1) it would do wrong to Potiphar and (2) it would do evil against God.

All that he learned were things that equipped him for the job at hand with Pharaoh.

Consider his stewardship of the prison

Even though he wasn’t the owner of the prison, the one who imprisoned others, or even the manager of the prison in an official capacity—he was given the role of managing the prison and chooses to do it as if it was all his responsibility.

Think about the management of criminals—people who had already shown themselves to be willing to break the law.

Think about how he deals with the inner workings of the prison as a prisoner himself.

All that he learned were things that equipped him for the job at hand with Pharaoh.

In fact, consider with me the fact that Joseph’s life’s hardships led to moments in which he was trained, equipped, and then forced to use skills that he otherwise wouldn’t have had.

He was being equipped and he was equipped by God as he simply remained faithful through the hardships of his life.

Now, let’s consider your own life—consider all of what God could be calling you to do—and I’m thinking in terms of both general calls and specific calls.

In general, you have been called to be about the Great Commission—to evangelize, to disciple, to love your neighbors and to love God.

Often Christians feel ill-equipped to do these things, but the reality is that as you follow Jesus, He equips you to evangelize, to disciple, and to love others and to love Him.

He does this through the Word—taught, read, and preached; He does this through fellowship with other believers; He does this in a variety of different ways.

The reality is that in this moment—regardless of your age, God is preparing you for more opportunities to evangelize to disciple.

Specifically, I’m thinking in terms of what God has planned for your life as a whole.

Whether that’s through vocational ministry, volunteer ministry, your secular career—God has burdened you and continues to burden you with your role, which, by the way may change throughout your life.

He equips you through the ministry of the local church, through discipleship, through your own personal study of Scripture, your seeking of Him.

He equips you through the ministry of other people who care for you and points you to Jesus.

The reality is that in this moment—regardless of what part of life you’re in, God is preparing you for more opportunities to serve in various capacities.

Regardless of what stage of life you’re in right now—God is equipping you for more service to Him—how do we know? It’s really simple, because you’re still here, alive, on this side of eternity.

Thus, the idea here is that you need to serve Him even when you feel like you aren’t good enough, you aren’t equipped enough, you aren’t prepared enough.

That doesn’t negate the need for you to be equipped, to keep learning, to keep growing, to keep seeking.

But it does prevent you from utilizing your feelings of ineptitude from keeping you from doing what God has called you to do.

Go and serve the Lord however He has called you—seek equipping, seek learning, seek growing, but continue to serve as you do these things.

God Providentially Works for Your Good—now the main application for this text is really in how God is moving and working in the background to again, save His people.

Consider how little Joseph knew what all was going on behind the scenes—the reality is that throughout the account, he’s left very much in the dark.

Consider all this from Joseph’s perspective:

In Joseph’s perspective, he was stuck in a pit—he didn’t see how God was moving things in such a way that his brothers choose not to murder him, but rather sell him into slavery.

In Joseph’s perspective, he was a slave—he didn’t see how God was teaching him through his enslavement nor did he see how his position in Potiphar’s house could place him into a future position that would elevate him later in life.

In Joseph’s perspective, he was in prison—he didn’t see how God was equipping him to manage the nation of Egypt. Nor did he see how God was moving things around him in such a way that it would give him an audience with the most important person in the known world.

But through all that, God was working in Joseph’s life as well as in the lives of Pharaoh, the chief cupbearer, Potiphar, and several other people.

Through all this, God was working on Joseph’s abilities, his character, who he was and who he became to be.

Through all this, God was maneuvering the people and the things in Joseph’s life for not just Joseph’s good but for the good of God’s people later on.

Now, consider that God works providentially in and around and throughout your life.

In your perspective, you’re working, you’re going to school, you’re attending church to be with your covenant family, and life is just a routine in which you continuously do the same things over and over—you don’t see how God is moving things in such a way that He is maturing you and growing you and building you up.

In your perspective, you might feel like a slave or that you’ve been imprisoned in life, you might feel as if you have absolutely no control in your life, that you’re just kind of there—you don’t see how God is teaching you, how he’s working in you, and how you’re growing.

In your perspective, you don’t see the end result of all that God is doing.

But through all this, God is working in not just your life, but the lives of those around you—not just for your good, but for the good of all His people.

Though all this, God is working on your abilities, your character, who you are and who you are to be.

Through all this, God is maneuvering the people and the things n your life not just for your good, but for the good of all His people.

The idea is that as you live your life, God is providentially working.

That’s not meant to tell you to stop faithfully serving, but it is meant to remind you that ultimately, God’s working in the background as you serve.

It’s not meant to cause you to give up while using God’s providence as an excuse to give up, but it reminds you that God’s plan is far greater than you think it is—and His plan cannot be foiled whatsoever.

Thus, as you go and serve Him—be faithful.

Be faithful with what He has given you to do—serve Him well.

When you know what He has called you to do—go and do it without hesitation, to the best of your ability, and consistently.

This includes your call to go and make disciples, to love your neighbors, to love God.

This also includes whatever call He has for your specifically—whether it is vocational ministry, volunteer ministry, through your career, or whatever else it might be.

Be faithful with what He has provided for you—steward it well.

Realize that everything that you own, everything that you have is ultimately God’s—your home, your money, your cars, and really, even—your children, your grandchildren, your spouse, everything, is ultimately His.

Thus, much like Joseph who didn’t own a thing in Potiphar’s home or in the prison, you ultimately don’t own a thing, but God has given you temporary stewardship of it all.

So, live with this in mind—it isn’t yours, it’s all His. So, manage it all well.

Be faithful with how you trust Him--as in, know who He is and then actively believe what He has said.

Make the effort to know God experientially through Jesus Christ—it isn’t enough to just say you believe, you need to believe and then live like you actually believe.

Part of living like you actually believe is participating in the ordinary means of grace—to read His Word, to pray, to participate in the ordinances. Part of living like you actually believe is participating in your covenant community that you chose to covenant with. All of this helps you to trust Him more.

And then, part of living like you actually trust Him is to simply recognize His sovereignty—so, live with this in mind.

You are His, go and serve; He has given you all things, manage it all well; and He is in control, so, trust Him.

Friends, you need to trust God enough that you’re willing to be faithful and to do what He has called you to do even if you feel like you’re not equipped enough for it.

You may not see the whole story yet, but you know the One writing it. So trust Him. Serve Him. And believe that even your affliction is not wasted in the hands of a providential God.

Pastoral Prayer