God Knows the Way

Welcome

It’s a new day - it’s the Lord’s day!

Our ladies are back from Ladies Conference - we had one receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost and spake with other tongues!

If you think our God can be contained to a conference miles away, you’re sadly mistaken! I believe God would love to shake the foundation of this very place today! Are you gonna let Him?!

Pray

Contact update

Prayer request cards

Invite cards

Text

Genesis 41:38–40 KJV 1900

38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

Lesson Connection

It’s amazing how the Lord works things together. It usually doesn’t go the way we think it should. We think of a straight path. God uses hills and valleys.

You make connections in life that seem unlikely at the start. Later on, the Lord uses them in an awesome way. Some of you ladies this week made great connections with friends. Days, months, years down the road you will reap the benefits from that.

Meeting Rick Lovall, what it led to.

Meeting L.J. Harry at HYC, what it led to.

Meeting Jeff Pearce, what it led to.

Meeting Tim Butler during Messiah, what it led to.

You don’t understand the depth of the acquaintances you make and the things you go through when they happen, but whereas we only see the moment, God sees a grand tapestry - a massive plan - that he is orchestrating together.

If you ever hear a full orchestra perform, you understand that while one instrument playing its part alone could sound remarkably horrible, when it plays its part with the full orchestra, it’s the most beautiful sound ears can hear!

I’ve never found the clarinet to be a pleasing sound to the ear. Many people don’t. But I want to extend some hope to someone: the clarinet part you’re hearing right now is going to be realized pretty soon as necessary to the glory of God’s mighty plan when He shows it to you!

Joseph Was Called Before Pharaoh

In Genesis 41, we are staring at the climax of Joseph’s story. The dream that he had received as a young man is finally going to begin to reach its fulfillment.

It’s important to remind you here that, from the moment Joseph received the dream until this point in Genesis 41, his life had only gotten worse and worse. He would come out of one particular circumstance, only to fall into one worse. So far, the dream had remained just that… a dream. May has well have been a figment of his imagination, some might say.

Pharaoh Had Disturbing Dreams

So, it opens up with a report of Pharaoh’s two dreams, that we are assuming he had in the same night.

Anybody ever have a string of real strange dreams before? Anybody ever have a dream about cannibalistic cows??? No?

In the first dream, Pharaoh saw seven well-fed cattle come up out of the Nile River and feed along its banks. These were followed by seven more cattle, clearly starving, coming up out of the river and consuming the well-fed cattle.

So, after the dream, Pharaoh wakes up, walks to the kitchen, grabs the Oreos, and sits at the dining table scratching his head. He had no interpretation. No insight or understanding about this dream.

He falls asleep and second time and dreams again. This time, he saw a stalk of corn with seven full ears. Suddenly, seven withered ears of corn appeared on the same stalk and consumed the seven full ears. Again, he wakes up and has no interpretation of what it all means.

But even to the person who doesn’t know much of the Bible or God, when they read of these dreams, it’s clear that they are symbolic and sort of disturbing. Clearly, these dreams were pointing toward a bad outcome.

But here’s the big problem… Pharaoh was the receiver of this information, and had no idea what to do with it. You say, “What do you mean it’s a big problem?” You see, in the religion of Egypt, the pharaoh was believed to be a demigod. In other words, he was supposed to be the embodiment of the will of the “gods” and their purpose on earth. The fact that this guy was troubled and unable to interpret the meaning showed that his power as a god was severely limited!

Genesis 41:8 NKJV

8 Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.

So, even his magicians and wise men failed to interpret the dreams.

The Butler Remembered Joseph

All of this is occurring while Joseph still sat in prison, completely unaware of what was happening with Pharaoh.

And at his lowest point yet again, we read that he asks for help from the butler who was about to be freed:

Genesis 40:14 NKJV

14 But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house.

But, as soon as that butler was freed, he immediately forgot all about Joseph (Genesis 40:23). Joseph expected Pharaoh’s butler to be at least sympathetic to him for being jailed on wrong charges.

And this is the ONLY INSTANCE in which we read of Joseph asking another person for assistance. He gave assistance to others many times. But this is the only time he asked for it, that we read of. And to simply be forgotten must have been the deepest cut of all.

BUT… even that forgetfulness worked to Joseph’s good. Just at the right moment, when Pharaoh’s panic was nearly out of control, the butler suddenly remembered the one who had interpreted his dream before...

Pharaoh Asked Joseph to Interpret His Dreams

Now, Pharaoh called for Joseph immediately. In just a matter of hours, most likely, Joseph’s entire life had turned completely around!

Pharaoh’s knew that his fate hung completely on Joseph’s ability to interpret the dreams correctly. But listen… as crucial as that was for Pharaoh, it was even more crucial for Joseph. This moment would determine the kind of leader Joseph would be…

You see, Joseph had an opportunity to capitalize on this situation. He could have used his skills in dream interpretation to negotiate his release from prison. He could even seek revenge on his former master, Potiphar, and say, “Throw him in jail, and I’ll interpret!”

Joseph had many grievances (he had been done wrong many times), and he could have aired all of that out to Pharaoh and pulled the lever on some harsh Egyptian justice!

But in that crucial moment, instead of using it to his advantage, Joseph stepped in as a humble servant:

Genesis 41:16 NKJV

16 So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Instead of using the moment to become the center of royal attention, Joseph pointed away from himself, and to God, as the source of his remarkable ability. It’s easy to choose the path of self-promotion. But Joseph chose the path of humility and service.

God Gave Joseph the Interpretation

So, now comes the interpretation. Let’s dig into this.

First, Joseph recognized that the dreams were paired. They represented the same sequence of events. So, because they were paired, we could say that there was a certainty that this was going to happen.

And, according to Joseph’s interpretation, the dreams concerned the next fourteen years of harvests. For the first seven years, Egypt would experience amazingly rich harvests - “bumper crops” you might say - unlike anything seen before in Egypt. But that richness would be followed by seven years of famine so severe that it would literally cause the memory of the seven rich years to be forgotten.

Genesis 41:30 NKJV

30 but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land.

Now, again, it’s easy to sort of read over this and miss the significance of the challenge here to the Egyptians religion. These “years of plenty” and “years of famine” were both pictured as coming from the Nile River. The ancient Egyptians worshiped the Nile River. It had this eternal cycle of flooding and receding. And they relied on that to sustain them. The idea that the Nile would fail to do this - after all of this time, and seeing it provide - would have been nearly unthinkable to Pharaoh and anyone listening. And then, that the God of the Hebrews was the one who revealed this coming failure… well, this was essentially Him saying He is superior to the so-called gods of Egypt.

Important point here: God wants to use YOU to show that He is superior to all of the things people are worshiping today!

God Will Speak to Me If I Will Listen

Joseph had learned a crucial lesson, that we all have to come to learn: patience with and reliance upon God.

Like I said, God will make you a promise and sometimes things will get worse, and much worse, before you see a fulfillment.

When Sis. LaRue and I wanted a baby that we were told we couldn’t have, and God spoke to us multiple times saying the answer was on the way… “on the way” didn’t get easier.

And Pharaoh reacted opposite from Joseph. When he was confronted with an unknown or unexpected future, Joseph didn’t panic; instead, Joseph strengthened his faith in God and his commitment to be faithful.

Joseph had learned that God would always speak - in His own way and His own time, to be sure - but always EXACTLY when His voice was needed.

Listen to the words I’m about to say to you right now: GOD WILL SPEAK TO YOU, IF YOU WILL LISTEN.

I come against that brand of Christianity that so many have clung to that says to do what you feel like, let’s have a nice little chat about being a better person, and that fanatical prophecy and tongues stuff and the intercession is emotionalism.

LOOK AT ME… GOD WILL SPEAK TO YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO HEAR!!!!!

Why could Joseph stand before Pharaoh with such confidence?! Because he had already stood with confidence before the butler and the baker! And he knew that the same God who had given him the interpretation of the butler and baker’s dreams wouldn’t fail to give him this interpretation!!!

How do I know that God will answer you and speak??? You better ask somebody today in this room! They’ll tell you! GOD SPEAKS! GOD IS NOT MUTE! GOD WANTS TO SPEAK INTO YOUR LIFE!

James 1:5–6 NKJV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

The challenge of our day is not that God no longer speaks to us, but that we rarely actually listen when He does speak.

God, help us to turn our ears toward the Spirit!!!

I remember going to AR HYC once. Several years ago. And I remember feeling a certain spirit in our state at the time. Couldn’t put my finger on it. And in the first service I felt it weighing strongly. The evangelist stepped up to the pulpit, and spoke that God had revealed to him as he flew into the state that day of the exact spiritual battle that was taking place.

I’m talking about turning your ear toward the Spirit.

And there’s a lot of times that the unexpected downturns of our lives are orchestrated by God to create a space for us to hear what He is already saying!

And so James says that God will not withhold His wisdom from those who seek it.

Hell can’t stop a seeker.

Are there any seekers in the house?!

Let me tell you something: In heaven, there are no preachers. In heaven, there are no pastors. In heaven, there are no presbyters or superintendents. In heaven, there are no big churches or little churches, no famous preachers or little-known preachers, no great successes or little successes, big tithers, little tithers, popular or unpopular… In heaven there are only seekers - worshiping seekers; former sinners saved by grace, adoring the King!

SEEK and you’ll hear Him SPEAK.

OPTIONAL: Reasons why people don’t hear God speak to them (too many other voices, allowing Him time to speak, remaining sensitive and responsive)

Joseph Told Pharaoh the Interpretation

Pharaoh Elevated Joseph to Second-in-Command in Egypt

So Joseph didn’t then stop at the revealing of the meaning of the dream. He immediately suggested a plan to prepare for the coming crisis by storing up the excess from the seven years of plenty to see the nation through the famine.

So now we’re seeing the wisdom of Joseph. It was even more evident than his ability to interpret dreams. How wise was he? …

Exodus 1:8 NKJV

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

In other words, someone who didn’t honor the God of the Hebrews, didn’t have the principles of the rulers who respected Joseph before. They didn’t have his wisdom.

And so he was able to suggest a wise plan that not only prevented a national disaster but even provided a way to prosper for Egypt. And as it played out, his plan worked so well that Egypt not only had enough grain to eat but also had enough to sell for great profit to other nations (Genesis 42:2).

The Events of Joseph’s Life Led Him to a Place of Influence in the World

Back when Joseph had been elevated in Potiphar’s house, his success was often described using the tiny word all. And we see the same thing here in his success with Pharaoh...

Genesis 41:37 NKJV

37 So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.

Genesis 41:39 NKJV

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.

Genesis 41:40 NKJV

40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Genesis 41:41 NKJV

41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

His brothers were going to arrive shortly and he was going to see that his dream had become a reality.

The entire world - not just his family - would from then on bow in respect before Joseph. And more importantly, this would be a respect born not out of fear of his power but out of gratefulness for his wisdom that had quite literally saved the world.

God Ordered Joseph’s Steps

All through his story, God was ordering Joseph’s steps. Sometimes it appeared pretty bad, but it all worked toward a certain end.

Every step and even every misstep - like the seductive trap Potiphar’s set or the butler’s bad memory - all of this is seen, from our point of view, as crucial parts of God’s intended purpose. But it would do us well to remember, that’s probably not what it looked like when he was going through it. Joseph simply trusted God and kept doing what was right.

I Will Remain Faithful to God and Trust Him to Order My Steps

This whole story is a prime example of the widom in Psalm 37:

Psalm 37:23–25 NKJV

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand. 25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.

Now, God’s faithfulness DID NOT eliminate difficulties from Joseph’s life… rather, it overcame them.

Joseph’s words toward the end of Genesis say it pretty well:

Genesis 50:20 NKJV

20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

I like that: “…God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day...”

Grace didn’t keep Joseph out of the pit or the prison, but it did get him through those experiences. Grace is not going to make it to where you never have another worry or trouble again… but it is going to make it where you can give it to God, trust Him, and He’ll get you through it!

I’m reminded of Bro. March’s song (I think it’s HIS song, anyway): Through It All.

Internalizing the Message

There were moments that defined Joseph’s story:

His decision to share his dreams with his family.

His decision not to fall for the seductions of Potiphar’s wife.

His decision to continue to serve with excellence even as a prisoner.

All of these small, faithful decisions were massively important to his story.

And the same thing is true in our lives. From our perspective, we can’t see the beautiful story that God is writing. We can’t always tell when we have made a choice that defines our destiny.

You can probably identify with this, but it often seems like decisions are forced on us by the stress and strain of living our busy lives. It’s more often that we find ourselves surviving instead of thriving, it seems like.

And our best efforts to be faithful are a lot of times met with further complication, going from bad to worse. …Anyone ever make a stronger commitment in your prayer or bible reading or giving, and things start coming up and get in the way?!

We, like Joseph, sit in pits and prisons not of our own fault, hoping and dreaming for a better tomorrow.

But in the midst of all our frustration and trouble, we have a promise that one day we are finally going to see, like Joseph did, the grand and glorious part our lives played in God’s plan. Hear this powerful scripture:

1 Corinthians 13:10–12 KJV 1900

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

There’s coming a day that we’re going to see CRYSTAL CLEAR. And we’re going to see HIM crystal clear!

Ooooh, I feel something calling me to be faithful today!