P a g e 1 Genesis Remember with me what has happened up to this point in Joseph s Life. His brother s despised him, because of jealousy and envy

Transcription

1 P a g e 1 Genesis Remember with me what has happened up to this point in Joseph s Life. His brother s despised him, because of jealousy and envy. They sold him into slavery, told their father he was mauled and eaten by a wild beast. He then went to Potiphar s home who was a Eunuch serving Pharaoh. Potiphar s unsatisfied wife than reached out to Joseph to fulfill her desires. Joseph fearing God rejects her, and in her embarrassment and shame she plots against Joseph. She accuses Joseph of trying to rape her. Potiphar to save face doesn t kill Joseph as he should have, especially if he believed the accusations. He puts Joseph in a prison for political prisoners. And when our story started with Joseph he was 17 years old, when Joseph is finally freed from prison he will be 30. Now I imagine Joseph, knowing he was called to a noble purpose for God, probably wondered why he

2 P a g e 2 was going through such tremendous trials and hardships. But by the end of our reading tonight we will see God s plan all along. Let this be a lesson for those of you going through storms in your life right now. That God sees the complete picture. The hardships you will face will only teach you and prepare you for the ministry that God has for you. So our story continues with Joseph in prison Genesis The Prisoners' Dreams 40:1 It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. 3 So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined. 4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while. So some kind of drama ensues with these two high officials. One being the Butler and the other being the Baker.

3 We can maybe make some suppositions here that maybe there was a conspiracy plot found out. Maybe poison found, and Pharaoh not wanting to take chances, he imprisons the two who could use this poison. P a g e 3 The man who brought his food to him or the man who brought his cup to him? Either could be suspects. Now understand these are not positions of low ranking here as our western culture would assume. We picture an English butler opening the door in service to his master, or a baker rushing to make a splendid cake for the taste buds of his master. These would more likely be noblemen, who were close to the king of Egypt. Their titles were prestigious ones as one commentator points out that they possibly held their titles in reference to the role they played in ceremonies involving the worship of the Egyptian god Horus. They would bear the wine and carry the ceremonial bread to be used in such ceremonies. Notice it says Joseph was charge to serve them. They were prominent men who lost their titles, prestige, and respect.

4 P a g e 4 They have now been lowered to the status of a prisoner. And I imagine in their humility over time they began to see Joseph as co-prisoner and friend. We see ultimately they even confide in Joseph about their personal dreams, and Joseph can even discern of his friends they were distressed. Well they are imprisoned for a short while, maybe for an investigation to take place. Again we can only suppose, the story does not give us any details surrounding their imprisonment. Next we read 5 Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man's dream in one night and each man's dream with its own interpretation. 6 And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. 7 So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in the custody of his lord's house, saying, "Why do you look so sad today?" 8 And they said to him, "We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it."

5 P a g e 5 So Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please." So these two fellows have a dream, for which the dreams puzzled them so much, they became sad. Joseph walks in and asks what is the matter? They tell him, we had these terrible dreams. And I love here how Joseph automatically gives credit to God for anything that is going to happen. He could have said, I Joseph, am a marvelous dream translator. I too have had dreams; I too could tell you of the mighty things revealed about me in my own dreams. However, Joseph has matured over the years. No longer is he a boaster, no, the Lord has humbled Joseph, to a place where Joseph only wants to bring God glory. I cannot emphasize enough, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, and let Him lift you up. If you take anything away from the ministry here in at Calvary Chapel Victorville, take this lesson. I use to hammer our worship team with this constantly in Apple Valley. They are so gifted, many of them.

6 P a g e 6 And they knew if any pride or self-worth, or selftalent emerges on the stage they would be removed immediately. And the same here, if there is any form of selfpromotion, it will be a quick way to get set aside. We want God to always have center stage in this ministry. No personality or person should be the center of attention. Humble yourself now, or you too may go through a great humbling as Joseph had too. So God alone can translate these dreams! 9 Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, "Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, 10 and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. 11 Then Pharaoh's cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand." Now this may have been obvious to the Butler, maybe only the 3 branches, and the meaning of them were troubling him.

7 But the rest of the dream is pretty obvious, well at least to us who know the whole story. So Joseph allows God to use him to translate the dream. P a g e 7 12 And Joseph said to him, "This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. 13 Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler. 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. 15 For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon." So good news for the Butler, his position will be restored to him. He will be found innocent of any crime, only 3 short days, and he will be free. And Joseph, tells him, please remember me, I am an innocent man as well, plead my case before Pharaoh. After all I imagine these 3 men have become friends at this point.

8 P a g e 8 Please remember me when these things come about, Joseph asks. For which the Butler will wait 2 years to reveal this story to the Pharaoh. So Joseph in slavery and prison for 11 years up to this point sees he may have a way out. But only to realize that the Butler will forget about him. Do you think it is unfair God left him in prison for two more years? After all this Butler was Joseph s ticket out, but why didn t God do it sooner? Well we will find out in a little bit. But let s look what happens next since the innocent Butler had a good interpretation, the guilty Baker wants to hear some good news too, so he shares his dream 16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, "I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. 17 In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head."

9 P a g e 9 18 So Joseph answered and said, "This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you." So we can suppose that the Baker was not happy with this interpretation. He was caught and found guilty. And he will have a horrible end to his life 20 Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 21 Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. I imagine as soon as Joseph s friend leaves, every time the dungeon door opened, here came Joseph running to be released. His friend was promoted, and when they were both at the lowest ranks, I imagine they had many plans for when they got out.

10 P a g e 10 Joseph had hopes of maybe going home, embracing his father, eating his favorite Hebrew dish. Being freed of all charges, having his freedom returned to him. Maybe the butler promised a place for Joseph when they got out. Maybe they had plans for their friendship to carry on when freedom came to their door. But that was all hopeful talk, emotional wishing, joyful anticipation for what would come about. But when the reality of the butler s promotion comes, his position, and exaltation lifts him above the dreams of the dungeon, and restores him to his former pomp. Maybe he thought. What would it look like to all those who saw my rise back to power, if I befriended a foreigner, a prisoner? Can a man of my stature stand up for someone like Joseph, a slave, sure once we were equals in the dungeon, but now I am somebody. And he leaves his innocent friend in prison to save face.

11 Now Joseph, I imagine after the first day, thought well, the butler needed time to celebrate, he has many duties, and it is the Pharaoh s birthday. He wants to see his family perhaps. P a g e 11 The next day as the dungeon door opened, Joseph probably thought, at last, and came running to only find his bread. So no problem, my friend probably went to Pharaoh, of course they are just getting the paper work ready. As the door opened the 3 rd day, surely this is it! Joseph came as hopeful as the first day, because surely they had time now to sort through the details. But as he only saw the bread again, it may have started to dawn on him, once again he was forgotten and abandoned. By week 3 any normal human being would be asking God, Why? God I have been faithful to You! Joseph could have shouted, as anger and the hurt from human betrayal set in. And hopelessness once again is Joseph s companion, emptiness, darkness, and another crisis of faith.

12 P a g e 12 I remember in Jr. High, my 6 th grade year I was homeschooled, but I longed to play sports and socialize with kids my age. So 7 th grade came, and I begged and pleaded with my parents please let me go to school. For which they let me. But because I was homeschooled that 6 th grade year, I was so socially awkward. I was so insecure and shy, I really had trouble connecting with my peers. One day, another student, named Adam reached out to me, he shared his homemade beef jerky with me. To befriend me, well food is a great start You know I was socially awkward, and he was too. We were really kind of nerdy. But that day began a wonderful friendship, no longer was I alone in my social discomfort, I had the stability of my first friend in Jr. High, and man I loved going to his house, his dad had a full arcade not just a Nintendo, but a whole game room, they had a trampoline, golf cart for us to drive around his huge property with, and of course more homemade beef jerky.

13 P a g e 13 Man, it was awesome that first half of my seventh grade year, I was able to be myself, we laughed, and joked, there was no pressure to be anything else but what we were. We were outcast, and it was okay, because we were friends Well as the year went on, I started playing sports, and I seemed to be getting pretty good at them. Now with this, I was introduced to a new crowd, the popular crowd. They took me in, thinking back, only because I excelled in sports, but I was still a nerd on the inside. They taught me to dress a new way, to talk differently, and there was a lot of pressure to be somebody I was not. I remember the day I left my friend behind, one of those popular girls invited me to a birthday party, and Adam wanted to go, but the thing is he was not cool. I told him I would try to get him an invite. But I didn t, I did not want to be associated with someone like Adam, maybe they would resend my invite.

14 P a g e 14 Anyway, that day was the last day I had a true friend in Jr. High, I left him behind for status, popularity and for recognition. I would see Adam after that, and he never talked to me about it. But his eyes told a story every time I saw him, they said, why did you leave me behind? I was your friend in the dungeon, when we had no one else. And how shamefully easy it was to be like the butler here, and forget my commitments, now that I was promoted. When I came to Christ, I did not want to ever be that kid again. Me and Jessica s mission statement became taking in the outcast, the downtrodden, the awkward, and those who can t find a place anywhere. I can still see Adam s eyes to this day, and I never want to do that to another human being again. Maybe you are the one forgotten, you and a coworker were a team, you found success together, but the boss recognized only your partner, your partner assured you once they were promoted, they would remember you.

15 P a g e 15 And as the days, weeks, and months went on, you are understanding, they forgot about you. However it is you can relate to this story, Joseph will show you the way out, and the character to have when these types of situations come about. What a sad, sad thing here for Joseph. He thought for sure this was his ticket out. But it seems God has two more years of chipping away at Joseph, and making Joseph fully dependent on Him. The butler could not get glory for what God was about to do! The next phase of Joseph s life will test his faith even more. And we actually see the perfect timing of God s plan here, if Joseph would have gotten out when the Butler did, he would be home with his brothers, and his father. He would miss out on being a rescuer for the nation of Israel. You see if Joseph would have taken any easier route to life, he and his family would have had to live through one of the most severe famines in human history.

16 But because of God s Sovereign timing, Joseph is in the right place at the right time. P a g e 16 One commentator writes, God directed everyone from king to jailer as easily as you set a watch or wind its spring. How sinful, therefore, for a Christian to worry or fret. God moves the very stars in their orbits to work His will, and rules the passions of men and the decisions of those in authority to accomplish what he had Planned. So understand, all those years of great trials are preparing us for the calling God has on our lives. Me and Jess often wished the younger generation would just listen, oh we plead with them, don t go down that road, however I am understanding through this story of Joseph. That road of suffering is their school master. Alex Lerma Text- I wanted to tell her I told you so, listen to me next time, but God reminded me, this was her schooling, just tell her you are praying for her, and she is loved. We can only teach them, and hope they learn, but the greatest lessons they will learn will be through the Great Humbling period in their own life.

17 P a g e 17 For those who stick it out, who learn the lessons of faith in these trying years, will hopefully come out a strong man or woman of faith. These scriptures on Joseph s life are here for our learning. And notice there is no mention of Joseph questioning God or his calling. He knew what God had spoken to him, so in this human experience man will let us down 100% of the time. But as Joseph knew, God will not. So to you tonight who are in the dungeon Phil 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ So with that understanding we move on to Joseph s next phase in life, and we see why it was all worth it Pharaoh's Dreams 41:1 Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river. 2 Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. 3 Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood

18 P a g e 18 by the other cows on the bank of the river. 4 And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. 6 Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. 7 And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. 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 Pharaoh has these two strange dreams. He wakes up troubled, and confused. He calls everyone who might be able to reveal these dreams to him. Now whoever reveals these dreams cannot guess; he must have accuracy and confidence. For if he is wrong, only a little bit it would be his Life! Now these Egyptian magicians and wise men were no fools of their craft.

19 P a g e 19 Remember they were able to demonically challenge Moses, and change a staff into a serpent, and compete satanically with many of the signs and wonders of Moses encounter with his contemporary Pharaoh. But they are powerless to translate this dream, because God has a plan, and He alone knows the meaning of the dreams. He will give His servant the understanding to translate the meaning to Pharaoh, and in turn bring glory to His Name alone. So next the Butler remembers a distant memory. Or maybe has just been waiting patiently for 2 years to bring it up to the powerful Pharaoh. 9 Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: "I remember my faults this day. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, 11 we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. 12 Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. 13 And it

20 P a g e 20 came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him." 14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it." 16 So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Now this shows us something about Joseph here. He could have now exalted himself as the man who interprets dreams! He could have come before Pharaoh as arrogantly as he did before his brothers and father when he was 17. However, we see a change in Joseph s mannerisms. He no longer walks tall, as a The Chosen One But comes humbly before Pharaoh, and notice two years ago Joseph was still pleading his case, asking someone to plead his case before Pharaoh, as an unfair thing.

21 P a g e 21 But now Joseph s faith was ready, he had determined in his own heart that everything so far was within God s Plan for his life. He no longer is saying not fair. But he is now giving all glory to God no matter what comes about in his life. I wanted to take this opportunity to mention something very important for us to realize There is this fact about life that our culture is fighting hard against right now? But the understanding is this.life is not Fair! Understand this; there is this underline agenda in our culture to coddle the younger generation, to let everyone get a trophy, never to say anyone lost. Everyone is a winner. And this simply is not reality. Everyone does not win; everyone should not get a trophy. Life is full of disappointments and things happen that are not fair. On our family vacation, Sofia learned this lesson for the first time. We played a scavenger hunt, I thought we won, because me and her found everything on the list first.

22 P a g e 22 We celebrated, I even gloated a little to my little sister. But, I was in such a hurry to get everything first, I failed to notice the bonus items on the bottom. They were worth a ridiculous amount of points. And my little sister actually got a picture of a dear. Oh Sof and I had to surrender our title. Well Sofia s little heart was broken, she now lost. And the floodgates opened and tears started flying everywhere. Well grandma wanted to give her a prize anyway. And I just couldn t let her, it would have been easier yes, but those tears were teaching Sofia a reality of this world we live in. Look for the bonus points next time. No, it taught her that life does not always go our way, and even is not fair. She got over it of course, I know some of you are like how could you do that to a 4-year-old. But, that was a teachable moment for dad and her And I can almost guarantee, grandma slipped Sof something behind my back.

23 And even though it wasn t fair that her dad didn t follow the rules exactly, Sofia had to experience a loss. P a g e 23 So never out of our faith filled hearts should you say Not Fair A Fair life is not a biblical principle, and it is one that Joseph learns here. But we see when he puts his full faith in God, he is rewarded because Heb. 11:4 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. So let s see how Joseph s faith was rewarded. 17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: "Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. 18 Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. 19 Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. 20 And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. 21 When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they

24 P a g e 24 had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke. 22 Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good. 23 Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. 24 And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me." So Pharaoh repeats what he dreamed, and explains that no one could or would interpret them. And Joseph standing in the midst of this royal court has faith God will translate this dream 25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. 28 This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29 Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; 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. 31 So

25 P a g e 25 the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. 32 And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. So the dream is translated here for Pharaoh, but we see the Spirit comes upon Joseph next, and he is able with his audience still paying attention to give wonderful wisdom on how to get through this famine. Joseph the prisoner will now have the boldness to address the most powerful man in Antiquity, and interestingly enough talks with authority. Notice Joseph did not place himself in this position, God lifted him up to it. What a good lesson, to many in Christendom try to live like those in the opposing kingdom, and they assert themselves into positions of authority. Many manipulate, backbite, and aggressively jockey for position in the church. Joseph did none of this and serves as a great example, he remained humble, and waited. He is done justifying himself to others, and now God can use him mightily.

26 P a g e 26 Look at Joseph s God given wisdom here 33 "Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. 35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 36 Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine." So God not only gives Joseph the meaning of this dream, but He also gives Joseph the wisdom on how lead the nation through the famine. I imagine as Joseph started talking and planning, he knew without a doubt that God was using him for great things. You see God will give wisdom to those who need it and ask for it. I imagine as Joseph was going before Pharaoh that he was praying for wisdom.

27 P a g e 27 James 1:5-9 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. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. I remember specifically one moment in my life where the Lord gave me supernatural wisdom, and used the trials of my past to help with the trial ahead. It was when we went to Mexico to build the church. When I was planning up here in the states everything that was going to take place, it seemed simpler in my head. I remember arriving to the site where we were to build the church, and kind of praying, Lord, I need your wisdom, because this looks impossible. Lord you have given me a bunch of teenagers, and one electrician, this is impossible. And at the end of that trip the Lord had built a church. And there is a church body there now. We never saw any of this the day we arrived there.

28 P a g e 28 It was amazing to be a part of. But God will give wisdom to those who ask. Maybe Joseph was too confident in his own abilities to ask the Lord for wisdom until right now. And God is able to be glorified at this point. And Joseph will be rewarded for his faith and total dependency on God. When we first started here in youth ministry, God equipped us. Joseph's Rise to Power 37 So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?" An amazing comment here from Pharaoh, he acknowledges Joseph s God and not the many deities of the Egyptian culture. And God is magnified. Now that Joseph has decreased, God can increase. 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word;

29 P a g e 29 only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you." 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt." So Pharaoh acknowledges God one more time, and then explains I don t want to take away from your God Joseph, but you are the one he is using. And Pharaoh in his wisdom wants this man whom God s Spirit is dwelling to rule his land. 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, "Bow the knee!" So he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Like other foreigners, Joseph assumes an Egyptian name so that he would better fit in Pharaoh s court and be better accepted by the Egyptian people. The meaning of this Egyptian name is remains unclear and the certainty of its meaning has eluded scholars.

30 Earlier scholars thought possibly it meant Revealer of Secrets. But what a story we have here From the slums of dungeon life to the second most powerful man in the known world then. P a g e 30 Joseph who humbled himself under the mighty hand of God was exalted to a place of most honors. And we will see next time that all of this was not for Joseph s benefit. The purpose of all of this was not to show us, we will one day get what we deserve. This story is not about Joseph s rise to power, and justice finally being served. But all of this was done, because God made a promise, that one day a Seed from only a woman would rise and crush the serpent s head! Many like to look at Joseph s life, and relate it to themselves, I am Joseph and one day I will rule, and stories will be told of me for centuries to come. Yes, all scripture is profitable for teaching a great for instruction. But God s purpose in this was not to exalt a man, but in fact it was to preserve this nation of Israel, and the Messianic lineage of Judah.

31 The Israelites will be saved by their brother Joseph, the same brother who they sold into slavery, and abandoned. P a g e 31 The very brother they made an outcast God exalted to a position of most importance, and power. And if you no matter where you are in life can understand this. God s will go on, he will not lift you up so you can one day say aha, I have been vindicated! But if you humble yourself and submit to His Will, His plan of redeeming man to Himself, He just might lift you up, to bring glory to His name. Joseph never tries at this point to manipulate his own cause; he is fully surrendered to God s will. 46 Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. 47 Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. 48 So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. 49 Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.

32 P a g e And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house." 52 And the name of the second he called Ephraim: "For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." So these two sons born to Joseph. And he is beginning to see the completed puzzle of his life. That God was with him all along, through the bad, and good. Get this valuable insight from Joseph. Resolve in your hearts tonight to worship God no matter your situation, God has a plan for you. A good plan. One that will bring Him the most glory. Trust in this tonight. Learn this from Joseph s life So the famine comes next and this enormous burden and trial will actually be the cause of Joseph and his family s reconciliation. 53 Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended, 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in

33 P a g e 33 all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do." 56 The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. 57 So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands. And for such a time as this God called, and molded and sanctified His servant Joseph. Understand this; there is a wide road of ease offered to every one of us. You can choose to take it. It is a path of comfort and compromise. But its end leads to eternal death. God wants us to be dependent on Him; He wants us to be faithful, workers, by the sweat of our brow men. Not because it is fair, but because it is right. Life will be severely unfair. But you work as unto the Lord, and watch Him use your life for His purposes.

34 P a g e 34 Yes, there will be heartache, there will be turmoil, but in the end, you will see God glorified. He will use those lessons from the dungeon, and slavery for His purposes. You have to be willing to walk through the fire to be purified. So this is what the Spirit seems to be speaking, and even I stand here with the same choice as you. And as for me and my household we will serve the Lord, even when we don t understand or see the complete picture. We have faith. Do you? Remember this is His story, it is not about you, when you make this life about you, you will be miserable. When you long to find your place in His story you will find peace, satisfaction, and a life worth living. Find you place in His story. If you are not sure where this is, the Elders will be available after service to pray with you.