“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” - Romans 8:28
Have you ever heard of a “rags to riches” story? These types of stories tell about people who started with very little and eventually climbed their way to the top. Sometimes this was accomplished by hard work, other times through a stroke of good fortune, and in many cases it involved a combination of both. As Christians, we realize that no one achieves such success apart from the divine working of God. He deserves all of the glory!
In this morning’s message we will read about Joseph’s amazing promotion from the prison to the palace. I have titled it “The Prince of Egypt”. Turn to Genesis 41 and let’s begin.
I. THE CUPBEARER FINALLY REMEMBERS (v1-13)
The Pharaoh’s cupbearer had been released from prison and restored to his former office, but had forgotten to tell Pharaoh about Joseph. Two more long years went by as Joseph waited in prison. Then one night Pharaoh had a pair of disturbing dreams. In the first, he was standing by the Nile river where 7 healthy, strong cows were grazing on the grassy shoreline. Suddenly 7 thin, ugly cows came up beside them on the bank. These skinny, sickly cows ate the good looking cows. In the second dream, 7 plump ears of grain came up on a stalk. Afterwards 7 thin grains scorched by the wind sprouted up. These thin ears swallowed the full ears.
The next morning Pharaoh was troubled by these 2 dreams. He summoned all of the soothsayers and wise men in Egypt, but none of them could give him a satisfactory interpretation of what they meant. As all of this unfolded, the cupbearer finally remembered how Joseph had rightly interpreted his dream a few years back while he was in prison. So the cupbearer recounted his story to the Pharaoh and told him about Joseph’s incredible ability to understand dreams.
Have you ever had something trigger a memory from years ago which you had forgotten about? This happens to me all the time. I often hear songs that take me back to a certain time and place. Or something will happen in my life that is reminiscent of the past. Sometimes these memories have a direct bearing on my present circumstances. For example, I might remember how to do something, where I left something, or something helpful that someone said. God uses past experiences to help us face our daily challenges - if we can remember them.
II. JOSEPH’S INTERPRETATION AND ADVICE (v14-37)
Pharaoh called for Joseph, so they cleaned him up and brought him out of the dungeon. When he arrived, Pharaoh asked Joseph if he could interpret dreams. Joseph credited God for interpreting dreams through him. Then Pharaoh proceeded to share his 2 dreams with Joseph. He told him about the cows and the ears of grain. Pharaoh further stated that none of his seers or priests could interpret them.
After hearing the dreams, Joseph explained that both of the dreams meant the same thing. The fact that they were repeated showed that God had determined to bring them about quickly. The cows and the ears of grain represented years. Egypt (and the surrounding regions) would experience 7 years of great abundance followed by 7 years of terrible famine. During the years of famine, the good years would be forgotten as people struggled in hunger and poverty.
Joseph continued by offering the Pharaoh some advice. He suggested that Pharaoh appoint a discerning, skilled leader to make preparations during the first 7 years to address the anticipated needs of the second 7 years. He proposed storing and guarding surplus grain during the abundant years to be used as sustenance for the nation throughout the upcoming famine. Pharaoh was pleased with Joseph's interpretation and impressed by his plan to deal with it.
We don’t know what will happen in the immediate future. Will our economy be prosperous and robust or will we suffer through another difficult recession? Will our personal income be plentiful and sufficient to meet our needs or will we slip into poverty and lack? The Bible teaches us that it is wise to plan ahead and save money whenever possible so that we have it available if needed (Proverbs 6:6-8). This shouldn’t, however, infringe upon our obligation to give cheerfully to the church and to those in need.
III. PHARAOH PUTS JOSEPH IN CHARGE (v38-57)
Joseph never explicitly recommended himself for the position, but clearly he was quite capable. Pharaoh recognized Joseph’s impeccable wisdom and character, and appointed him to oversee the preparations for the upcoming famine. In fact, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of his house and made him second-in-command over all of Egypt. Joseph was dressed in the finest clothes and jewelry. The people bowed before him as he paraded throughout the land in a chariot. Pharaoh gave him an Egyptian name and a beautiful young maiden to be his wife.
Joseph was 30 years old when he became the prince of Egypt. During the next 7 years of abundance and prosperity he oversaw the collection of surplus grain. He stored it in various cities across the nation in quantities too great to measure. During these plentiful years, Joseph and his wife Asenath had 2 sons. The firstborn was named Manasseh, which means “to forget”, and the second born was named Ephraim which means “fruitful”.
The names of Joseph’s sons reflect his way of thinking. Joseph didn’t literally forget about his past life and the many troubles he faced. Rather, he simply chose not to dwell on them or let them drag him down. Instead, he focused on how God had blessed him and brought him through. In the same way, we cannot move forward if we are always looking backward.
When the 7 years of famine began, the people cried out because they were starving. Pharaoh sent them to Joseph, who managed the distribution and sell of the grain that had been stored up in advance. The severe famine prevailed well beyond Egypt, throughout the entire Middle East, so that both Egyptians and foreigners came to Joseph to buy grain.
CONCLUSION
Joseph was just 17 years old when his brothers threw him into the pit in Canaan and left him for dead. He was 30 years old when he was made ruler in Egypt. During those 13 years in between, he had been a slave and a prisoner. He had been betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, and forgotten by Pharaoh’s cupbearer. His life was filled with one bad break after another. Yet through it all Joseph continued to glorify God and trust in His plan.
This series of difficult and trying events ultimately led Joseph to be in the right place at the right time. Pharaoh needed an interpreter and Joseph was available. God providentially worked all of these things together so that Joseph might rise to power in Egypt. And through Joseph’s influence, as we will see in the coming chapters, the LORD would accomplish his purpose of temporarily moving the Hebrew people out of Canaan.
Perhaps more vividly than any other story in Scripture, Joseph’s life is an example of how God works all things together for good to those who love Him. Notice that this promise does not apply to those who hate or reject God. But if you are His, a born again believer who is faithfully devoted to the LORD, you can trust that God is in control of your life even in perilous times. You may not become the vice president, but God will turn your life around and make something good and beautiful out of the bitterness and darkness.
Have you ever heard of a “rags to riches” story? These types of stories tell about people who started with very little and eventually climbed their way to the top. Sometimes this was accomplished by hard work, other times through a stroke of good fortune, and in many cases it involved a combination of both. As Christians, we realize that no one achieves such success apart from the divine working of God. He deserves all of the glory!
In this morning’s message we will read about Joseph’s amazing promotion from the prison to the palace. I have titled it “The Prince of Egypt”. Turn to Genesis 41 and let’s begin.
I. THE CUPBEARER FINALLY REMEMBERS (v1-13)
The Pharaoh’s cupbearer had been released from prison and restored to his former office, but had forgotten to tell Pharaoh about Joseph. Two more long years went by as Joseph waited in prison. Then one night Pharaoh had a pair of disturbing dreams. In the first, he was standing by the Nile river where 7 healthy, strong cows were grazing on the grassy shoreline. Suddenly 7 thin, ugly cows came up beside them on the bank. These skinny, sickly cows ate the good looking cows. In the second dream, 7 plump ears of grain came up on a stalk. Afterwards 7 thin grains scorched by the wind sprouted up. These thin ears swallowed the full ears.
The next morning Pharaoh was troubled by these 2 dreams. He summoned all of the soothsayers and wise men in Egypt, but none of them could give him a satisfactory interpretation of what they meant. As all of this unfolded, the cupbearer finally remembered how Joseph had rightly interpreted his dream a few years back while he was in prison. So the cupbearer recounted his story to the Pharaoh and told him about Joseph’s incredible ability to understand dreams.
Have you ever had something trigger a memory from years ago which you had forgotten about? This happens to me all the time. I often hear songs that take me back to a certain time and place. Or something will happen in my life that is reminiscent of the past. Sometimes these memories have a direct bearing on my present circumstances. For example, I might remember how to do something, where I left something, or something helpful that someone said. God uses past experiences to help us face our daily challenges - if we can remember them.
II. JOSEPH’S INTERPRETATION AND ADVICE (v14-37)
Pharaoh called for Joseph, so they cleaned him up and brought him out of the dungeon. When he arrived, Pharaoh asked Joseph if he could interpret dreams. Joseph credited God for interpreting dreams through him. Then Pharaoh proceeded to share his 2 dreams with Joseph. He told him about the cows and the ears of grain. Pharaoh further stated that none of his seers or priests could interpret them.
After hearing the dreams, Joseph explained that both of the dreams meant the same thing. The fact that they were repeated showed that God had determined to bring them about quickly. The cows and the ears of grain represented years. Egypt (and the surrounding regions) would experience 7 years of great abundance followed by 7 years of terrible famine. During the years of famine, the good years would be forgotten as people struggled in hunger and poverty.
Joseph continued by offering the Pharaoh some advice. He suggested that Pharaoh appoint a discerning, skilled leader to make preparations during the first 7 years to address the anticipated needs of the second 7 years. He proposed storing and guarding surplus grain during the abundant years to be used as sustenance for the nation throughout the upcoming famine. Pharaoh was pleased with Joseph's interpretation and impressed by his plan to deal with it.
We don’t know what will happen in the immediate future. Will our economy be prosperous and robust or will we suffer through another difficult recession? Will our personal income be plentiful and sufficient to meet our needs or will we slip into poverty and lack? The Bible teaches us that it is wise to plan ahead and save money whenever possible so that we have it available if needed (Proverbs 6:6-8). This shouldn’t, however, infringe upon our obligation to give cheerfully to the church and to those in need.
III. PHARAOH PUTS JOSEPH IN CHARGE (v38-57)
Joseph never explicitly recommended himself for the position, but clearly he was quite capable. Pharaoh recognized Joseph’s impeccable wisdom and character, and appointed him to oversee the preparations for the upcoming famine. In fact, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of his house and made him second-in-command over all of Egypt. Joseph was dressed in the finest clothes and jewelry. The people bowed before him as he paraded throughout the land in a chariot. Pharaoh gave him an Egyptian name and a beautiful young maiden to be his wife.
Joseph was 30 years old when he became the prince of Egypt. During the next 7 years of abundance and prosperity he oversaw the collection of surplus grain. He stored it in various cities across the nation in quantities too great to measure. During these plentiful years, Joseph and his wife Asenath had 2 sons. The firstborn was named Manasseh, which means “to forget”, and the second born was named Ephraim which means “fruitful”.
The names of Joseph’s sons reflect his way of thinking. Joseph didn’t literally forget about his past life and the many troubles he faced. Rather, he simply chose not to dwell on them or let them drag him down. Instead, he focused on how God had blessed him and brought him through. In the same way, we cannot move forward if we are always looking backward.
When the 7 years of famine began, the people cried out because they were starving. Pharaoh sent them to Joseph, who managed the distribution and sell of the grain that had been stored up in advance. The severe famine prevailed well beyond Egypt, throughout the entire Middle East, so that both Egyptians and foreigners came to Joseph to buy grain.
CONCLUSION
Joseph was just 17 years old when his brothers threw him into the pit in Canaan and left him for dead. He was 30 years old when he was made ruler in Egypt. During those 13 years in between, he had been a slave and a prisoner. He had been betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, and forgotten by Pharaoh’s cupbearer. His life was filled with one bad break after another. Yet through it all Joseph continued to glorify God and trust in His plan.
This series of difficult and trying events ultimately led Joseph to be in the right place at the right time. Pharaoh needed an interpreter and Joseph was available. God providentially worked all of these things together so that Joseph might rise to power in Egypt. And through Joseph’s influence, as we will see in the coming chapters, the LORD would accomplish his purpose of temporarily moving the Hebrew people out of Canaan.
Perhaps more vividly than any other story in Scripture, Joseph’s life is an example of how God works all things together for good to those who love Him. Notice that this promise does not apply to those who hate or reject God. But if you are His, a born again believer who is faithfully devoted to the LORD, you can trust that God is in control of your life even in perilous times. You may not become the vice president, but God will turn your life around and make something good and beautiful out of the bitterness and darkness.