Untitled Sermon (2)

Intro: Genesis 41

A. Recap Gen. 40 – Joseph interprets the Cupbearer and Baker’s dreams.

B. Joseph is still in prison after the Cupbearer does not uphold Joseph’s request to meet before Pharaoh.

C. Through Gen. 41 it becomes clear that God’s is doing all things for his glory and his good.

The Pharaoh’s Dreams – Gen. 41:1-13

A. The Pharaoh has two dreams

a. Dream one has 7 healthy cows and 7 ugly cows

b. Dream two has 7 healthy ears of corn and 7 blighted ears of corn

B. Pharoah wakes up and immediately asks his court of interpreters to give him an interpretation, to which they cannot.

C. The Cupbearer then remembers a dude who can interpret dreams – Joseph.

Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dreams – Gen. 41:14-36

A. Pharaoh re-tells his dreams to Joseph

a. Joseph interprets them to be the same dream from God.

B. He says that seven cows or corn each represent 7 years – that there is coming 7 years of great abundance but to be followed by seven years of great famine.

C. He then suggests a proposal to Pharaoh – that someone should be overseeing the abundance to save for the great famine.

Joseph is Promoted– Gen. 41:37-45

A. Pharaoh recognizes that the Spirit of the Lord is with Joseph and puts Joseph in charge of overseeing saving of grain for the 7 years of famine to come.

a. Very important to catch the Capital “S” of Spirit in verse 38 – it confirms that the Lord is with Joseph.

B. He is put into 2nd in command over Egypt with power over all symbolized with the signet ring, given a name change, and a wife – all is well for Joseph.

C. He then begins his job and starts to travel around Egypt.

God’s Providence – Gen. 41:46-57

A. Joseph’s plan works well, the grain stored is so much that it cannot be counted. It’s also good years for him as he has two sons.

a. He names his two sons in remembrance of what God has done for him.

B. The 7 years of famine then hit, but Josephs Plan works perfectly.

C. We finally end a chapter and see that Joseph has made it over the hill of trials – God has been working this plan all along.

a. Joseph has stayed faithful to the Lord through it all, and the Lord evermore so faithful to Joseph.

i. He has all the reasons to have given up, sold into slavery, accused of false crimes, stuck in prison. Yet he remains faithful to the Lord. He is our example of how to act through trials/hard times.

b. More importantly the Lord is faithful to him, he has brought him through all his trials and has never left his side, through slavery, prison, and in Pharaoh’s house. He is looking to have a relationship with all his people even though not all will seek that with him.

c. The Lord also looks to take care of all his creation, even though Egypt is unfaithful to him – he provides abundance and Joseph to lead the way.

D. Interesting how he uses Joseph and puts him in a position of power before all the people of Egypt who are to “Bow the knee” to him (v43). He is to lead the way seeking to glorify God.

a. We have been sent a Joseph in which all knees will bow, read Philippians 2:10-11.

b. All knees will bow before king Jesus, the one who was sent to lead the way in glorifying God.

c. Many of you are like pharaoh, you want the benefits of God but do not care for him – regardless God is in control and you will understand that power either here on Earth or in eternity.

d. Christians know that the Lord is with you, just as he was with Joseph, through Jesus Christ. When times get hard or are even going well, we are to point to him and seek to give him the glory he deserves. God is in control and using all things to his good.

Discussion Questions

1.

What does it mean that the 'Spirit of the Lord' was with Joseph, and how can this apply to our own lives?

In what ways can we remain faithful to God during hard times, as Joseph did?

How does the story of Joseph show us that God is always with his people?

In what ways can we seek to glorify God in our own situations, similar to how Joseph did?

Why is it significant that Joseph was recognized for having the 'Spirit of the Lord' with him?