Genesis 41 - "Joseph - from Zero to Hero"
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Opening Statement - All the waiting is finally over for Joseph.
Opening Illustration - Imagine being freed from prison after 13 years between slavery and prison.
My dad, as a young adult, had a friend who went to prison. This man maintained his innocence from conviction until release. He just got out a year or two ago after 40+ years.
Opening Background - Joseph was between slavery and prison for 13 years.
Assuming he worked for Potiphar for 1-2 years
He would have been in prison for 11-12 years.
From the age of 17 to 30 - his “golden years”
He has remained faithful this entire time.
Nothing bad is said about him, a rarity for OT characters
But “bad” things kept happening to him.
Relevance to CCB
And God isn’t just gonna disregard Joseph’s hardships...nor ours.
HE WILL USE THEM...
Because He says so,
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
For the Christian, somehow this verse must fit into your view of God
Wherever you are at in your life...God IS at work.
Even if you don’t believe it or see it.
Message
Let’s Pray
Read along (vv. 1 - 13) Lack of Peace Without God
(v. 1) Then it came to pass - after divine amnesia lifted
at the end of two full years - for two full years Joseph’s hope to be remembered slowly died.
Pharaoh had a dream - back to the subject of dreams again.
Joseph has a knack for these:
But I imagine dreams are a bittersweet subject for Joseph, given his history with them.
Two of his own.
Two of others (from prison), which he interpreted.
(vv. 1b-7) Pharaoh’s Dream's explained -
There were two:
Joseph had two dreams.
The butler and baker had two dreams.
Now Pharoah has two dreams.
Two is the minimum required number of "witnesses" the Bible requires to establish truth.
“By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.”
Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
I call this Holy Spirit Triangulation.
God is using different sources to verify the same fact.
God still uses this same technique with us today:
A verse hits you hard from the sermon.
The next day a devotion "happens" to bring out the same Scripture and same point.
Later that day a friend in conversation, just so happens, to mention the same verse and same application points.
At some point, even a thick-headed numb-skull like me says, "alright Lord, you have my attention.
A point worth mentioning - you won’t get “triangulation” if you’re not (1) in church to hear the sermon, (2) in a daily devotion to get that verse, (3) or in godly friendships for God to use your friends.
Dream One
Context. The River (was the Nile). And cows liked to wade in the river for coolness and refuge from the flies.
They'd normally come out of the river to pasture.
The Description.
(v. 2) Seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow - a picture of goodness, success, and blessing.
(v. 3) Then seven other cows came up; ugly and gaunt (skinny) - a picture of lack, poor, and discouraging.
(v. 4) Then the ugly cows ATE the fine looking cows - the strangest part of the dream; that makes no sense (because cows are herbivores)
Then Pharaoh woke up.
Dream Two - (v. 4b-5a) after waking up, and probably thinking at first, "that was really strange," Pharaoh get's back to sleep.
Dream 2.0 Description.
(v. 5b) Seven heads of grain came up on one stalk...plump and good - pretty good.
(v. 6) Then seven thin heads, blighted...came up - pretty discouraging
(v. 7) Just like the sickly cows, the seven thin heads (of grain) devoured the seven plump and full heads. - very strange, again just like the cows. It makes no sense.
This second dream was essentially just a variation of the first dream. With wheat instead of cows.
Both an essential part of their livelihood.
The Trouble.
(v. 7b-8) Pharaoh awoke...and reflected on his strange two dreams.
So He he was troubled in his spirit, so he called for all the magicians and wise men.
(v. 8b) But their was not one who could interpret Pharaoh's dreams
We know from Moses’ future experience, these magicians are impressive. But their magic can only come from one and/or two sources:
The natural sciences - just using magic tricks like optical illusion, psychology…essentially a perception change (not reality)
The demonic - by opening themselves up to the demonic realms.
But this dream was from God (as we will see). Therefore a demonica “seer” could not understand these dreams.
Well, well, well, its about time…
(vv. 9-11) The chief butler (wine bearer) brought up, NOW I remember that I forgot, that I was supposed to remember the man, Joseph, in prison with me, who interprets dreams...and got me out of there - his divine amnesia lifted.
(v. 12) He (Joseph) is legit. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us.
Joseph wasn't afraid to say the good and the bad.
It wasn't a "one-time" fluke because both interpretations came to pass.
(v. 13) He restored me to my office, and he hanged him - in that Egyptian/magic-arts culture, it was believed the the interpreter was also the one with the authority to make these things happen.
Read along (vv. 14 - 37) Spiritual Things Belong to God
All at once, Joseph's life is about to change. He lives a very "herky jerky" life.
(v. 14) Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon (the pit); and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.
Joseph’s life changed in a matter of a few hours.
To go from rejecting Christ to accepting Him…you’re life does a 180 and changes in the matter of an instant.
Probably the first time Joseph has ever shaved.
(v. 15) Now Joseph is in front of Pharaoh (the most powerful man in the world) and Pharaoh gives Joseph the low-down.
This must take some humility to admit, to an imprisoned slave, that "our religion failed, but perhaps yours will work?"
I think the best thing for genuine religious discussion is to open it up for respectful dialogue.
No need for us to get worked up about it. God can defend Himself.
The most important matter to Pharaoh was getting the answer.
He didn’t care as much what the answer was…He just wanted to know it.
That’s the way we ALL ought to be.
Just show us the Truth.
MOST IMPORTANT VERSE (v. 16) Key Verse - So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Joseph does the best thing. He gives all credit, glory and honor to God. I detect no pressure here for Joseph to feel as if he needs to prop-up or defend God. It’s just a matter of fact.
Just like how in Joseph's previous situation,
And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”
Is that not still the case? Yes.
Interpretations are found in the Word of God.
If you're not looking to the Word for answers to questions you have about the World, you will be just like Pharaoh without an interpreter.
Also, if you're having trouble reading and understanding the Bible, you need to make sure you're in fellowship with those who do understand it and can help you to understand it.
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for life.
We want to teach a man to fish. That you understand how to read and understand your Bible for yourself.
Invoke 2 Tim 3:16 - “ALL Scripture is profitable.” You can apply all of it. Non of if is pointless information.
And inerrant, and inspired. (Heb 6:18; 2 Pet 1:21) None of it is a lie or irrelevant to our lives/times. It’s all from the Holy Spirit, who is God.
Golden rule of Bible Interpretation.
“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense.”
“Use clearly understood passages to interpret unclear ones.”
Inductive Bible study method - all Scripture contains these progressive elements.
Background —> Interpretation —> Application.
What —> So what —> now what?
My job is to put myself out of business. I want everybody to have the ability to read an interpret the Bible for themselves.
Not “protect my rice bowl,” and act like I have some special gift that you can’t have.
No church should make you feel like you can’t be able to read and understand the Bible for yourself.
Interpretations are found in the Word of God.
(vv. 17-24) Pharaoh recounts the dreams.
(vv. 19-21) There is an added fact in the second telling. That the seven ugly cows did not become fat once they consumed the fat cows, but they remained skinny.
(v. 21) for they were just as ugly as at the beginning.
Again (like the last time Joseph interpreted dreams) see that Joseph is confident that God will interpret Pharaoh's dream… (v. 16 and give him peace)
(v. 25) Joseph immediately/simply tells the interpretation.
I find it interesting that these dreams are similar to Joseph's own dreams (sheaves of wheat)
Maybe Joseph already had a baseline of understanding since he had pondered the meaning of his own dreams for all these years.
(v. 25) The (two) dreams of Pharaoh are one. Joseph understands "two witnesses," for "one story"
Just like in his own two dreams and the two prison dreams
They are about the future (v. 25) God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do.
In that culture Pharaoh's were treated as Gods. This directly challenges that idea. Joseph is indirectly saying, Pharaoh, you are not in charge, but God is.
Interpretation.
Seven cows and seven heads of grain are both representing are seven years.
The seven good cows and good heads of grain are seven good years.
(v. 29) Seven years of plenty
After the seven good years, there will be seven bad years.
(v. 30) Seven years of famine
Joseph adds that the famine will be so bad that the years of plenty will be forgotten (Guzik)
(v. 32) The repetition of the dream is because God is saying it is a sure thing and will happen soon.
(v. 33) That's all Joseph was asked to do. But Joseph instead of simply telling Pharaoh a problem, gives Pharaoh wisdom for a path to success.
I can’t stand it when someone gives you, a problem with no suggested solution.
I think it was just Joseph’s wisdom, obviously which was from the Lord. Joseph was a step ahead of Pharaoh.
Practical advice - if you want to easily set yourself apart in the workplace, always pair problems with a suggested solution.
It’s easy to say no.
But hardly anybody these days can say “how to get to yes.”
I doubt Joseph expected to be selected as that wise man.
He probably just hoped he would get released so he could go back home.
And if Joseph had been released anytime over the last two years, he would have gone back home.
Which would have kept him from God’s good plans He was working all along.
We need to be patient with God.
(vv. 34-36) Joseph tells Pharaoh his suggested solution.
Collect 1/5 (twice the normal "tax") each of the 7 good years.
Put the food into storehouses in each city
(v. 37) Then when as needed, the reserves would be available during the seven years of famine.
Bada bing, bada boom! Easy peezy, lemon squeezy.
What else do you need help with Pharaoh?
I think Pharaoh had to pick His jaw up off the floor after meeting Joseph.
‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
We should have a big view of God.
Do you have a “big God” or a “little God”??
Pharaoh now has the peace he was seeking. And he found it through Joseph’s God.
Read along (vv. 38 - 57) Joseph Goes from Zero to Hero
(v. 38) Pharaoh is requiring the minimum standard for this "wise man," be filled with the Spirit of God.
Guzik - this is the first mention of a man being filled with the Spirit in the Bible. Joseph's character stood out. Just as we also will stand out because of the Spirit in our lives.
(v. 39) Pharaoh is implying that Joseph is the only one filled with the Spirit of God in the entire land of Egypt - there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
The Earthly Reward (both blessing and temptation)
(v. 40) He is now doing for Pharaoh what he had done for Potiphar.
(vv. 40-41) only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you...See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.
(vv. 42-45) From Slave to Celebrity in a day…“zero to hero”
From rags to riches (linens)
Ankle chains to gold chains around his neck
His ride is now Air Force Two (2nd chariot)
From chain gang foreman to vice president
He now has the full national authority, complete with the signet ring.
This “rags to riches” is truly a picture of our reality as we are in Christ.
Eph 1-3 - The Riches we have in Christ.
If you could translate the riches you have in Christ to cars…We each have a Jay Leno sized garage, packed with cars you could only dream of.
We become second in charge, under God, with His authority and power.
Not because "you're so faithful." Faith doesn't originate from you.
But because "He is so faithful." The power is in the object of our faith...God.
If you went ice fishing, would you rather have a whole lot of faith in 2 inches of ice? Or a little bit of faith in 2 feet of ice?
In the same way, our faith is in Jesus Christ, not in ourselves.
You don't need to (nor can you) "muster" up more faith so that He answers your prayer.
You just need to make sure you have the right address.
And to get more faith, simply ask the "author of it," and he'll give you more.
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
(v. 45) Joseph is made a full blown Egyptian citizen.
His name changed to Zaphnath-Paaneah - Savior of the age; Savior of the world; giver of the nourishment of life; revealer of a secret. (Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names, p. 247)
He is given a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On.
This family would be considered the highest honor to marry into, showing Pharaoh’s true respect of Joseph.
Same location of Heliopolis - Egypt’s greates city of learning.
This is where later Pythagoras and Plato will come to study.
"The ancient historian Herodotus reported that “the men of Heliopolis are said to be the most learned in records of the Egyptians” (History 2:3, trans. by G. Macaulay). The high priest in On held the title of “Greatest of Seers.” When Joseph married into this family, he joined a social class befitting a national leader. Also implied in the marriage arrangement was Pharaoh’s confidence that Joseph, too, was a “seer,” or prophet, of the highest caliber." (GotQuestions.org)
(v. 46) Joseph was only 30 years old during this time. In a day, he more than made up for what was “lost.”
Don’t think God can’t make up to you what you have “lost.”
“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.
From zero to hero. Can Joseph handle this kind of fame and wealth?
Look at 30 year-olds today with that kind of money.
Professional athletes, tech giants, etc.
Look at the lottery winners.
Most people (at any age) cannot handle that kind of fame and wealth.
But those who recognize that everything they have actually belongs to the Lord (it’s just on loan to them). These people tend to be able to steward it well.
Joseph will handle it well.
Though undoubtedly, this fame, authority, and wealth brought new temptations with it.
And for Joseph (and us), prosperity tends to bring worse temptations than when we’re poor.
Joseph could have had a harem, but he stayed monogamous.
He could have adapted to Egyptian culture, but he stayed faithful to his God.
Amazingly, despite being the only True Believer in Egypt, Joseph will maintain his faith in the True and Living God and not cave into the world.
Maybe God put all that steel in his gut for the last 13 years for a reason.
(vv. 51-52) Joseph has two sons
Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.”
And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Joseph was still honoring God in his new status of wealth and success
Don't just worship God in your valleys, but also on the mountain tops.
Then all that Joseph had mentioned came to pass.
Pharaoh pointed needy people to Joseph
Joseph made good on his promise and plan (God's plan and promise)
The famine surpassed Egypt and effected the surrounding countries.
Including where His family resided in Canaan.
Closing
Closing Application - Joseph's faithfulness will not only lead to him saving Egypt, but to surrounding countries, to include his own family...where Joseph's dream, from 13 years ago, will ultimately be fulfilled.
Pharaoh had no peace without God.
If you don’t have Jesus, you will never have a peace either.
If you’re broken, the answer is as simple as, “You need Jesus!”
Spiritual things are spiritually discerned.
We have the Bible. USE IT.
Praise God on the Mountain as much as you do in the Valley.
Closing Illustration
Urge to Action
Remain faithful
And when you get to be a “big shot, remember us ‘little people’”
Let’s Pray
Benediction
