sf185 - The Savior Of The World (Genesis 41 46-57)
Genesis 41:45-57
Introduction
God’s promotion of Joseph
“It was wonderful ascent, sheer in a single bound from the dungeon to the steps of the throne.
His father had rebuked him; now Pharaoh, the greatest monarch of his time, welcomes him. His brethren despised him; now the proudest priesthood of the world opens its ranks to receive him by marriage into their midst, considering it wiser to conciliate a man who was from that moment to be the greatest force in Egyptian politics and life.
The hands that were hard with the toils of a slave are adorned with a signet ring. The feet are no longer tormented by fetters; a chain of gold is linked around his neck. The coat of many colors torn from him by violence and defiled by blood, and the garment left in the hand of the adulteress, are exchanged for vestures of fine linen drawn from the royal wardrobe. He was once trampled upon as the off scouring of all things now all Egypt is commanded to bow before him, as he rides forth in the second chariot, prime minister of Egypt, second only to the king.” (F.B. Meyer)
Donald Grey Barnhouse, “the secret to power is character and the secret of character is God.”
Joseph’s prophesy of Jesus…
1A. Joseph’s Person
1B. His name
Zaphnath-Paaneah two possible translations: Savior of the world; God speaks and he lives
Matthew 1:21 … you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.
2B. His testimony
Nothing bad is ever said about Joseph, in all the Old Testament only Daniel shares that distinction.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
3B. His ministry
He was rejected by his brothers
John 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
He was thirty years old when he began his life’s work (41:46)
Luke 3:23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age…
His service was an active and itinerant one. (41:46)
Matthew 9:35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom…
His ministry began with great blessing and was followed by great famine (41:47-51)
Luke 23:31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?
Amos 8:11 Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord GOD, That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD.
2A. Joseph’s Purpose
1B. Joseph becomes the exclusive source of life for the perishing (41:55-56)
Jesus is the source of life for the perishing
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Jesus is the exclusive source of life for the perishing
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
2B. Joseph becomes the savior for all men (41:57)
Jesus in no respecter of persons
Romans 10:11-13 For the Scripture says, Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
God’s grace is sufficient for all
Ephesians 2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Application
“There is infinite value in that precious blood which He shed upon the Cross to make atonement for sin. There is infinite pity in His heart toward sinners. There is infinite readiness and willingness on His part to receive all who will come to Him. There is infinite power in His arm to deliver and keep that which is committed unto Him.
There is no sinner so depraved that Christ’s blood cannot cleanse him. There is no sinner so bound by the fetters of Satan that Christ cannot free him. There is no sinner so weary and despondent that Christ cannot satisfy him.
O, sin-sick soul, put Him to the test for yourself, and see. Come to Christ just as you are, in all your wretchedness and need, and He will gladly receive you, blot out all your iniquities, and put a new song into your mouth.” (A.W. Pink)