JOSEPH S RISE TO POWER

1 Dear Friend, this is a transcript of a sermon preached by Pastor Jeremy Tan from the pulpit of Amazing Grace Baptist Church Singapore. We are committed to expository preaching because we believe it is the most effective way to expose, explain and expound the Holy Scriptures. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27). Through careful systematic and sequential exposition, the preacher is able to declare unto you all the counsel of God (Acts 20:27), and Christians are blessed with a regular, well-balanced diet of God s Word. Expository preaching also helps us to have a high view of Scripture. We wish to extend a warm welcome to you to join us in our church services for a time of uplifting worship and helpful Bible study, which will bring rejoicing and refreshment to your soul. Do visit our church website at www.amazingracebc.org or write to us at amazingracebc@gmail.com. JOSEPH S RISE TO POWER Genesis 41:37 57 Genesis 41 is the pivot, or turning point, in the life story of Joseph. At the age of seventeen, he was betrayed by brothers who envied and hated him because he was their father s favoured son. They sold Joseph into slavery, and he was taken away to Egypt. As a slave in Potiphar s house, the mistress falsely accused him of attempted rape, and he was unjustly punished with a prison sentence. In prison, Joseph was forgotten instead of being helped, and he continued to languish there for two years. His turning point begins in the second half of Genesis 41. The Pharaoh had two dreams in the same night that frightened him, but none of his magicians and wise men knew the meaning of his dreams. At that moment, the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph, and he told the Pharaoh about the Hebrew slave who had interpreted his dream. So Joseph was quickly summoned from prison to stand before the king of Egypt. He interpreted the Pharaoh s dreams as seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine so severe that the Egyptians would forget the enjoyment of harvests. Then he offered Pharaoh unsolicited advice to prepare for the famine. What did the king do with the advice? The answer is in Genesis 41:37-57, which we have divided into four parts. I. Joseph s Promotion. Joseph s interpretation and his practical advice impressed the king. Genesis 41:37-38 37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 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? Joseph s interpretation of the Pharaoh s dreams, and his wise counsel, effectively defeated the wise men of Egypt. The Pharaoh had consulted them, but they failed him

2 miserably. So who could best administer the plan that Joseph recommended? Although Pharaoh addressed his servants, Joseph was the only person who qualified. Pharaoh found in Joseph the Spirit of God. (Belshazzar would later say the same about Daniel in Daniel 5:14). But what did this pagan king know about the Spirit of God? Pharaoh s knowledge of the Spirit of God is similar to his polytheistic religion. The Egyptians worshipped many gods, including the Pharaoh as the god-incarnate. Most likely therefore, he saw the Spirit of God in Joseph in the same way that Potiphar saw the LORD was with Joseph (Genesis 39:3). The Hebrew dream-interpreter made a deep impression upon the king of Egypt. To Pharaoh, anyone who knew his dream must have supernatural ability. Genesis 41:39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: The word translated discreet means intelligent. Pharaoh found Joseph to be intelligent and wise above all the other magicians and wise men of Egypt. Genesis 41:40-41 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. 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. When Pharaoh gave recognition to his ability to interpret dreams in Genesis 41:15, Joseph was quick to give the credit and the glory to God. It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace (Genesis 41:16). Since Joseph credited God for his interpretation, and his wise advice showed that he had the Spirit of God, Pharaoh concluded that Joseph was the right man to prepare Egypt for the famine. Pharaoh s dreams were supposed to have credence, but his inability to know the meaning of his dreams was an implicit admission of Yahweh s superiority and sovereignty. Since he wisely and humbly submitted himself to the Sovereign God, Egypt was spared from suffering the famine. In contrast, there was another Pharaoh, the one who met Moses, who did not recognize any higher authority. That Pharaoh was a proud, stubborn, and foolish man. After all, he thought he was a god. He hardened his heart against God by refusing to let the Israelites leave Egypt, and the Egypt of the Exodus period was destroyed. Now, these two Pharaohs were responsible for their own decisions, yet each of them acted according to the will of God. We are all responsible for our choices, but God exercises sovereignty over human choice. God moved the heart of the Pharaoh in Genesis 41 to accept Joseph s interpretation and advice. As for the Pharaoh whom Moses met, God had forewarned Moses that the Pharaoh would not let the Israelites go (Exodus 3:19). In other words, God left that Pharaoh to follow the course of his own depraved nature. According to Romans 3:10-18, every person in the human race is a rebel against God. We will not yield to God, unless God changes our hearts. No wonder that the Pharaoh continued to oppose God, despite ten punishing plagues from God. Even the death of his first-born did not move him toward repentance and submission to God. According to Proverbs 21:1 The king s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. This verse states the case for human responsibility and God s sovereignty, with an argument from the greater to the smaller. The king is the ruler of men, and God holds the

3 heart of this greater person. Therefore, all lesser persons who are the king s subjects must also have their hearts in the hand of God. Whether prince or pauper, we are all subject to the sovereign will of God. But what about the much-vaunted free will of man? Without the gracious intervention of God, every person is free to rebel against God according to his depraved nature; the sinner will not do otherwise. This is the reason why we have to pray to God to save souls. Sinners are saved only when God moved their hearts. Only God can produce the conviction of sin in a person s heart, and only God can bring conversion to that person through repentance and faith in Christ as personal Saviour. Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9). If God does not change our hearts, no person will ever be saved. So God moved Pharaoh s heart to promote Joseph as his second-in-command. Joseph was put in charge of Pharaoh s house, the third Egyptian house for him. Potiphar s house was the first, the second was the prison house, and Pharaoh s palace is now his third. Pharaoh also put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. This means that Joseph was made the Grand Vizier or Prime Minister of Egypt. He had become a very powerful man. At this point, we think of old Potiphar and his wife. Mrs Potiphar tried to seduce Joseph, and failing that, she slandered him. Potiphar did not do the right thing to stand with his slave, but he sent Joseph to prison based on a false accusation. Now their slave had become their master. What will happen to them? What are they going to do now? How unexpected are the twists and turns in life! God s man will always confound the world. The world stood against Joseph, just as it was against David, and Daniel, and the apostle Paul. If you live for the will of God, the world stands against you too; but God is with you, and you will ultimately triumph over your enemies and your circumstances. Just read Romans 8:28! Next, Pharaoh attended to Joseph s investiture ceremony. Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; Pharaoh gave his ring of authority to Joseph. This signet ring had an engraving that was used for the sealing of official documents. The fine linen is silk from the royal wardrobe. Like the three houses, Joseph also had three changes of garment. His first garment was the special robe from his father, which his brothers hated and seized from him, and they smeared it with the blood of an animal. Joseph s second garment was seized by the seductress, who used it to frame him for attempted rape. For his third garment, the king of Egypt clothed him with nobility. Joseph s fine linen garment from the Pharaoh casts our mind to the new garments that God gives to believers in Christ. Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. In Heaven, the multitudes of God s people will be clothed in garments pure and white (Revelation 6:11; 7:9, 13; 19:8). Finally, Pharaoh presented to Joseph a gold chain, a gift of royal appreciation for services rendered to the king. Joseph was also given an official limousine.

4 Genesis 41:43-44 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. For the second time Joseph goes for a ride. The first was as kidnapped victim; the second is as exalted hero. (Victor P. Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18 50, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament p. 506). Joseph entered Egypt on a camel in a caravan; now he toured Egypt in his own chariot. Everywhere that Joseph went in his second chariot, heralds would go before him to announce his arrival, and to command the people to bow the knee. For the past thirteen years, he was a slave bowing down to others; now all the Egyptians, except the king, had to bow to him. The Pharaoh confirmed Joseph s absolute power, saying, Without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. From this point on no one shall raise hand or foot without Joseph s permission. Joseph already knows what it means to have someone lift up his hand against him (his brothers). He also knows what it means to have somebody lift up their eyes against him (Potiphar s wife, 39:7). Now nobody will even be able to lay claim to property or do anything or go anywhere. (Hamilton, p. 507). Genesis 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph s name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. The giving of an Egyptian name to foreigners is well attested, but there is no agreement on the meaning of Joseph s given name. Suggested meanings range from God has spoken and He lives to Preserver of the Living. In the Coptic language, Joseph s Egyptian name means a revealer of secrets or the man to whom secrets are revealed. All of these suggestions have their own appeal but whatever the true meaning, the narrator does not supply it. In any case, this is the only mention of Joseph s Egyptian name. Therefore, the name is not important. Now, throughout Joseph s audience with the Pharaoh, the only person who spoke was the king. Joseph s silence reveals that Providence, not Joseph, arranges these honors. (Genesis: A Commentary, Bruce A. Waltke with Cathi J. Fredricks, p. 533). God did it all for Joseph! How satisfying, isn t it, to have God arrange everything for us, without the striving, the scheming, stress and yes, the sinning! After the pomp and pageantry of his promotion, Joseph went straight to work. This brings us to our next point. II. Joseph s Preparations. Genesis 41:46 And 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. The mention of Joseph s age punctuates a story which began when he was seventeen (37:2) and will reach its climax in another nine years time (45:6), more than twenty years after the first breach with his brothers. (Derek Kidner, Genesis: An Introduction and

5 Commentary, p. 209). We note that Abraham also had to wait twenty years between God s promise and fulfilment (Genesis 12:4; 21:5). Jacob served twenty years in Mesopotamia, working for Laban (Genesis 31:41). God s delays are not necessarily His denials. We must learn to wait on the Lord with patience and perseverance. Next, we observe Joseph s work ethic. The statement in Genesis 41:45 that he went out over all the land of Egypt, is repeated in Genesis 41:46, he went throughout all the land of Egypt. The repetition emphasizes his energy at work to prepare for the famine. Genesis 41:47-49 47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. 48 And 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: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. 49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. In Genesis 41:34 Joseph recommended the collection of one-fifth or twenty percent of each harvest during the seven plenteous years. At first, Joseph counted the collection, but he stopped when the bountiful harvests were beyond measure. Great amounts of grain were being collected, and the Egyptians stored them in granaries in the cities for convenient distribution. But just as Egypt enjoyed great harvests, Joseph was also fruitful, as we see in our next point. III. Joseph s Prosperity. Genesis 41:50-52 50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him. 51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father s house. 52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. The name of Joseph s Egyptian wife Asenath means She belongs to Neith (an Egyptian goddess). The name of his father-in-law Potipherah is the same as Potiphar; it means He whom Ra has given. Ra was the sun god, worshipped in the city of On, which the Greeks later called Heliopolis, or City of the Sun. This ancient city is situated 11 km (seven miles) northwest of Cairo, the capital of modern Egypt. Asenath bore two sons for Joseph. Although he was given an Egyptian name, and his wife retained her Egyptian name, Joseph gave his sons Hebrew names. The name Manasseh means Forgetting, and Ephraim means Fruitful. These names have significant meanings. First of all, the Hebrew names of his sons prove that Joseph did not compromise himself with the religion of Egypt. Through their names, Joseph declared his allegiance to God. Although he married the daughter of a sun-worshipping priest, the text is silent about her beliefs. Was Asenath ever converted? We do not know, but it is possible that she became a believer in the God of the Hebrews. With the birth of Manasseh ( Forgetting ), Joseph put behind him his thirteen years of suffering. In Genesis 41:51, he said that God had made him forget all [his] toil, and all my

6 father s house. This does not mean Joseph was forgetting his family, but it means that he laid to rest the troubles that his brothers had caused to him. As for Ephraim ( Fruitful ), Joseph was reminded that God turned his buffeting into blessing. He was now enjoying a fruitful life in Egypt. However, If the chapter had ended with the account of the birth of Joseph s two sons, with the names and the reasons given for those names to each by their father, then the impression might have been created that Joseph was inclined to settle down permanently in Egypt and to forget and ignore his family back in Canaan. (Hamilton, p. 512-13). This was not the case, else he would have given his sons Egyptian names. So how did Joseph relate to his prosperity? All in one day, he was taken from the pit to the pinnacle, from the prison to the palace. From a slave, he became a master. When you are in the pit, you can only look up to God. But when you are at the pinnacle, the soul is inclined toward pride and independence from God. At the top, people may assume an aura of intelligence or invincibility. They draw a following. Others hang on their speech because every word seems to carry weight, even though a poor man may say the same thing, or better! The renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith once said, Wealth, in even the most improbable cases, manages to convey the aspect of intelligence. (R. Kent Hughes, Genesis: Beginning and Blessing, p. 487). But Joseph didn t fall to pride or power. He was the same person, both in prison and in the palace. Throughout the thirteen years of adversity, he kept his eyes on God. Even more remarkable is that he continued to focus on God when he became a powerful, popular, and prosperous person. Joseph had the wisdom to know that fame and fortune are fleeting. He knew that whatever prestige or popularity he enjoyed at the moment would only last at most, fourteen years. After these years, how knows? The Pharaoh might have no more need of him. In Proverbs 21:1 we read that the Sovereign God of the universe controls the heart of the king. God also changes kings according to His will. Daniel told King Nebuchadnezzar that God changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings. (Daniel 2:21). The psalmist wrote in Psalm 75:6-7 6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. Joseph knew that his promotion came from God, so he was under no illusion about his present status. IV. Joseph s Power. Genesis 41:53-55 53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. 54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. Canaan was watered by rainfall, and Egypt flourished because of the River Nile; but it is rare that the harvest failed simultaneously in both places. However, this time the mother of all famines occurred: dearth was in all lands. The repeated use of the word all

7 (Genesis 41:54, 55, 56, 57) underscores the extent and effect of the famine; there was great famine everywhere. However, Egypt was spared the suffering. As the result of Joseph s wise management, no Egyptian would starve to death. When they cried to Pharaoh for bread, the king pointed them to Joseph. Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. If the people wanted food, they would have to ask Joseph for help. We point out here that the Pharaoh called him Joseph, an indication that his Egyptian name is not significant in the narrative. Genesis 41:56-57 56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. 57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands. Joseph s plan saved Egypt, but his plan would also save his own people. In the next chapter, we will see that God used the famine to bring Joseph s brothers to Egypt in search of food. Conclusion In adversity and prosperity, Joseph kept his eyes on God. Changes in his circumstance did not change his character. Joseph was as stable in poverty as in prosperity. Through the ups and downs, twists and turns, he continued to be faithful to God, and God blessed him. Unlike Joseph, we may not adjust well to changes. Many of God s people are ruined by prosperity and promotions. It is not uncommon to hear of believers who used to be faithful witnesses for Christ, and they were faithful servants of God in their local churches; but after promotion to a higher position, or having had the taste of prosperity, popularity, or power, they changed in character and conduct. Suddenly, they had a new image to keep up. Their schedules changed, and they no longer have time to worship God in church, or to do church work. Their social circles changed, and they no longer fellowshipped with other believers. The family also no longer strived to be godly. Their ambition is to move their children up the social ladder. They became rich, but their souls became poor. They are busy feeding their flesh, but they starved their souls. Be warned: promotion, prosperity, popularity, and power are as much tests of our faith as poverty! In poverty, we look to God as our Provider. But when God blesses us with plenty, do we still depend on Him as much? No wonder that the wise man said in Proverbs 30:8-9 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. May we never become so focused on the provisions that we forget our Provider! Genesis 41 ends with the statement that the famine was severe in all the world, but let me make an application of far greater significance than bread for the stomach. Many people in the world are suffering spiritual famine. Do you know about spiritual hunger? Is your soul starved? Sinners are spiritually dead, but without the awakening grace of God they will not

8 sense any spiritual need. Without spiritual regeneration, which is the spiritual birth, sinners will literally starve to death. When the people asked Pharaoh for bread, the king said to them, Go to Joseph and do what he tells you (Genesis 41:55). God, the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, commands men and women everywhere to go to Jesus. At the Mount of the Transfiguration, God the Father said to the disciples about Jesus, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him (Matthew 17:5). If God is convicting you of your spiritual need, acknowledge to God that you are a sinner and confess your sins to Him. Then go to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to be your personal Saviour. Jesus said that He is the bread of life (John 6:35). He said in John 7:37, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He has invited all to come to Him. Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Go to the Lord Jesus Christ! Trust Him as your personal Saviour, and all will be well with your soul. Permission: We share our materials with you as a blessing from the ministry of our church. You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by Amazing Grace Baptist Church. Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: Copyright: Amazing Grace Baptist Church Singapore. Website: www.amazingracebc.org. Used by permission as granted on website.