The Power of God to Work Things Out

Introduction

This chapter is an excellent study of God’s power to achieve His will.

God is now ready to raise Joseph to power (dreams) in order to save His people, Israel.

God will do whatever is needed to fulfill His will upon earth.

God’s power to influence world leaders

Pharaoh was disturbed by God through a dream. (v.1-4)

Cows

Corn

God startled and awoke Pharaoh (v.4,7)

God’s power to make wise men ineffective

Pharaoh sent for his wise men to interpret the dream (v.8)

They could not interpret the dream

God’s power to make men remember

Cupbearer remembers Joseph and the dream he interpreted (v.9-13)

2 years

God’s power to deliver His servant

Delivered from prison (v.14)

Delivered to stand among kings (v.15)

Delievered to acknowledge God among unbelievers (v.16)

Delivered to help in a time of uncertainty (v.17-24)

God’s power to give His servant supernatural discernment

The basic truth: God revealed the future (v.25-27)

The basic truth is a warning (v.32)

Because God has determined it

God will do it

A wise plan was needed (v.35-36)

Save and store

Centralize authority

God’s power to bless His servant to accomplish His will

Public acceptance: Egyptian authority (v.39-44)

Social acceptance: Egyptian name and wife (v.45)

Given sons

Manasseh: forgetting

Ephraim: double fruit

God’s power to meet the needs of people through His servant

The people faced a terrible crisis (v.55)

The need was met by Joseph, God’s servant (v.56)

Other nations were rescued as well (v.57)

Conclusion

Jeremiah 32:17 ESV

‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.

Unplugged computer