Joseph Part 5

Genesis 41.

As we take a peak back at what Joseph had gone through in the scripture we read last week, I want to not only remind you what we did cover, and also share with you what happened next.

As Joseph was a prisoner, in charge of prisoners, he had two of the kings formally trusted people placed in his area

Both of these gentlemen had dreams that upset them because they did not know what they meant

Joseph, through the power of God was able to interpret those drams

The cupbearer was going to be restored to the king’s good graces

While the Baker would not and would end up killed by the king

Exactly three days later, these things happened when and as Joseph said they would.

Another important part to note comes in the last verse of chapter 40

This shows that the cupbearer did not remember Joseph when he got back into the good graces of the king.

Joseph had asked him to remember him because he did nothing to deserve being there

Now let’s continue this story with verse 1 of chapter 41

The New International Version Chapter 41

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.

8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him

Here we are, 2 years later.

Joseph is still imprisoned and now the Pharaoh has a dream.

In His dream we see cows in groups of seven, which helps me know from the two previous interpreted dreams, must have something to do with 7 days right?

I think clearly, when we look forward, I have no gift of interpreting dreams

Recognize what the king does

He turns to man to solve his problems.

Joseph had stated in a previous text that we read last week, it is God’s to interpret

Pharoah is relying on the unreliable.

vs. 9

The New International Version Chapter 41

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 12 Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.”

14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh

Now he remembers

two years later, the cupbearer does what Joseph asked him to do

probably not for the help of Joseph, but to be the one who helps the king.

so he tells about Joseph and the king sends for him

They clean him up and bring him to the king.

vs. 15

The New International Version Chapter 41

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires

Again, Joseph shows no hesitation in sharing the truth

When asked, he immediately says, no I can’t

but God can, and He will

This is a place where we are often lacking

We tend to take credit for what God does.

I did this

we accomplished this

when the truth is, with out him, there is nothing that we can do

including exist

Then, starting in verse 17, the king starts sharing with Joseph his two dreams.

let’s look at Joseph’s response

vs. 25

The New International Version Chapter 41

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.

28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe.

I was close, seven years not seven days

Joseph explains that both dreams have the same meaning

there will be seven years of plenty and seven years of famine

Severe famine that will be bad enough the plenty is forgoten.

vs 32

The New International Version Chapter 41

The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.

33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.

Though Joseph was only asked to interpret the dream, Joseph took it further

He provided a solution to the issue at hand

He shares with them they needed someone to oversee this solution

Then Pharoah chooses Joseph.

by many accounts, Joseph was placed in a position where he was almost as high as the Pharoah.

Joseph was a teen when he was sold into slavery

He was placed in charge of a household and learned a lot and stayed dedicated to God

He was wrongfully thrown in prison and placed in charge

he learned a lot and stayed dedicated to God

Not only did Joseph need to be in the place he was at the time he was for this king to trust him and bring him forward

He had to go through this time of running prisons and households to learn.

God could have just given him the knowledge and the words to say, or he could put him in a place where he can learn how to problem solve and take care of people

there is no doubt, he learned how to be ready for this famine and prepare the country by through the experiences he had.

All along, God knew what was coming for Egypt and He had Joseph in place to handle it.

Why is Joseph the right one

because, no matter what, he never relied on man to lift him up, He relied on God.

We can seek help from our fellow man, and we will be let down at times, just like Joseph was by the cupbearer.

But in His time, if we stay righteously motivated and dedicated to Him

God will see us through

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