Warning!

Grace and Peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God in our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you to Dennis who gave the invitation to speak this morning here at Decatur Avenue Baptist Church. Please turn in your copy of Scripture to Genesis chapter 41, the title of the message this morning is warning. “And it came to pass at the end of two full years that Pharoah dreamed: and behold, he stood by the river. And behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And behold, seven other kine came up after them out the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed, and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kind. So Pharoah awoke. And he slept and dreamed the second time: and behold seven ears of corm came up one one stalk, rank and good. And behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them, And the seven thing ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharoah awoke, and behold, it was a dream.”

The context of the passage is Joseph, the son of Jacob had been sold into slavery by his brothers. After earning the highest ranking servant he was accused by his wife and thrown in prison. He interpreted dreams of the cupbearer and the baker who were in prison with him as well. The cupbearer was sent back to work with the pharoah while the baker is sentenced to death. In the following passage Pharoah has two dreams both with similar messages. However, no one knows the specific message behind the dream not even those within his court. The overall picture of the story is Joseph, and how God used him through trial. Beginning in verse 14: “Then Pharoah sent and called Joseph, and they brough him hastily out of the dungeoun: and he shaved himself, and chaged his raiment, and came in unto Pharoah. And Pharoah said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Jospeh answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” Joseph recognized that on his own strength there was nothing he was able to do. In fact, even as pharoah was struggling with the dreams that came to him and the messages they were to display he was dirstraught on what the actual meaning were and how they affected Egypt. Since the dream came from God it can only be interpreted by one who speaks through God gifts. God did not speak through Joseph specificallly as he did Adam, Noah and the other patriarchs. However, he gave Joseph a special ability which was the ability to interprety dreams . HOwever, Joseph recognized this ability did not come on his own merit but from God whom all good gifts come. As James 1:17 states: “Every good and perfect git comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.”

Joseph was about to use his gift in front of one of the most powerful people in the known world. Could you imagine going in front of the president and using your gift that could help the country? The opportunity Joseph has is being displayed infront of him as he has been present the two dreams of Pharoah. One of the sickly cows eating the healthy cows and the bad grain consuming the healthy grains. Joseph began to interpret the dreams beginning in verse 25: “ And Joseph said unto Pharoah, The dream of Pharoah is one: God hath shwed Pharoah what he is about to do. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven seven years; and the seven empthy ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.” This is the thing which I have spoken to unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. ANd there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; ANd the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.” Joseph gives a very frigtening message to Pharoah and his people . There will be a coming famine that shall sweep throughout the land of Egypt.

In fact, since this came from God he dream was given twice in order that it would be clear that it came from el o heem ( the name of God of the Hebrew people) is speaking to Pharoah. The Pharoah was not a Hebrew individual nor was he a prophet, therefore why was he someone God was speaking to? He followed the polytheistic gods of Egypt. The specific reason, God had a plan and he was ultimately going to work through Joseph. No matter what we go to through God will continue to work through us. 1 Timothy 4:12 says : “Let no one despise you for your youth but be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” God does not call us to be perfect in our service, he calls us to be faithful to our call. Joseph remained faithful even though he had no choice and he endured severe trial. Through imprisonment and slavery he did not loose his faith in God. Therefore, when speaking with Pharoah he remembered the faith that he has. As he approached Pharoah he was not able to take credit for the gift that he has because the gift did not come from him but from God. Since Joseph was able to determine the meaning of the dreams he also was able to work with Pharoah on how to work a solution. In verse 33 it says: “Now therefore let Pharoah look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.” The Hebrew word where we know discreet comes from the word understand. For Joseph understood not only understood the events which Pharoah had dreamed of, also how to prepare for them as well. God again, had a plan for Jospeh’s life, the plan reach the peak when Joseph became second in command to Pharoah. As stated in verses 39-40: And Pharaoh said unto Joseph

Forashmuch, as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall be all my people be rule: only in the throne will I be greater than I. And Pharoah said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand and and arraryed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck.” Joseph had now gone from being in a position where he was accused of a crime which he didn’t commit, to being second in command to Pharoah and ruling with him. How was Joseph able to go from prison to the second hand of ruling with Pharoah? He was committed to all that God had planned for him to do. God knew the plans for Joseph, and not once did Joseph walk away from the plans that Joseph had for him. Despite the fact that he was thrown into slavery and put into prison. The Lord saves those whom he loves. As God showed up in the life of Joseph he continually shows up in our lives.

Sure, we may have not be thrown into slavery or been put in prison however God has given us all we need. Especially when we our enduring trials, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic where we struggle with loosing jobs and various uncertainty. In times of uncertainity it is always important to know that God is still on the throne and God still is providing for all of our needs. As Jams 1:2-4 says: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” With God we lack no good thing, in fact in through God everything we do will come to completion. As the work Joseph did for Pharaoh when he was assigned to the second in command, when the famine came all that he did came to completion. As stated in verses 53-56: And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. And the seven years of dearth began to come, accoring as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the lands of Egypt there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharoah for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, ANd the famine was over all the faace of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all the contries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn: because that the famisone was so sore in all lands.”

Joseph had planned through God’s providence on how to prepare for the upcoming famine. In fact, it was not only a local problem however, it was going to be a worldyly problem. God had given Joseph a gift where originally it was seemed to get him in trouble with his brothers, it was used as a blessing. Before ending our message I would like to share three important take aways from the sermon.

Our gifts can be used to glorify God even when we dont immediately see it.

Joseph was given a very important gift.