JOSEPH SERIES: FROM THE PRISON TO THE PALACE Genesis 41

THE LIFE OF JOSEPH IN REVIEW BORN 12TH OF 13 CHILDREN FAVORED BY HIS FATHER RESENTED BY HIS BROTHERS SOLD INTO SLAVERY BY HIS BROTHERS FALSELY ACCUSED PUT INTO PRISON FAITHFUL TO GOD IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE BLESSED BY GOD IN ALL THAT HE DID!

THE KEY TO JOSEPH’S LIFE: THE PRESENCE AND INVOLVEMENT OF GOD! “AND THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH…” (Gen. 39:2) “THE LORD CAUSED ALL THAT HE DID TO PROSPER…” (Gen. 39:3) “THE LORD WAS WITH HIM AND WHATEVER HE DID THE LORD MADE TO PROSPER.” (Gen. 39:23)

GENESIS CHAPTER 41 57 VERSES DREAMS 41:1-24 INTERPRETATION 41:25-32 PLAN 41:33-37 PROMOTION 41:38-44 FULFILLMENT 41:45-57

THE CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES IN JOSEPH’S LIFE HONORED BY PHARAOH LOVED PROMOTED HATED/SOLD ACCUSED/PRISON HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE CHANGES OF LIFE?

GOD’S INVOLVEMENT IN REVELATION GOD GAVE TWO DREAMS TO PHARAOH! (Genesis 41:1-24) 14 COWS 7 FAT COWS EATEN BY 7 LEAN COWS 14 EARS OF GRAIN 7 FULL EARS AND 7 THIN EARS

GOD’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE DETAILS 2. THE WISE MEN OF EGYPT WERE UNABLE TO INTERPRET THE DREAM! “When Pharaoh called the magicians (soothsayers) and wise men and told them his dreams. They could not interpret them to Pharaoh.” (Gen. 41:8) Then I told it to the magicians but there was no one who could explain it to me.” (Gen. 41:24)

GOD’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE TIMING 3. GOD ENABLED JOSEPH TO BE REMEMBERED “Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph but forgot him…” (Gen. 40:23) “Now it happened at the end of two years that Pharaoh had a dream…” (Gen. 41:1) “Now the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh saying…. A Hebrew youth interpreted dreams for us and it came about just as he interpreted.” (Gen. 41:9,13)

GOD’S INVOLVEMENT AND ENABLEMENT 4. GOD GAVE JOSEPH THE ABILITY TO INTERPRET PHARAOH’S DREAMS “Joseph answered Pharaoh, ‘It is not in me…God will give Pharaoh the answer….’” 7 YEARS OF ABUNDANCE WILL COME 7 YEARS OF FAMINE WILL COME

GOD’S INVOLVEMENT IN PROVIDING DIVINE WISDOM 5. GOD GAVE TO JOSEPH A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR PHARAOH! “And now let Pharaoh look for a wise man to appoint overseers and exact one fifth of the produce of Egypt and store food in the cities under Pharaoh’s authority so there are reserves for the years of famine.” (Gen. 41:33-36)

FROM THE PRISON TO THE PALACE! 6. GOD CAUSED PHARAOH TO PROMOTE JOSEPH TO PRIME MINISTER OF EGYPT! “Then Pharaoh said, ‘Can we find a man like this in whom is the Spirit of God...? You shall be over my house…I have set you over all the land of Egypt…only in the throne I will be greater than you….’ And Pharaoh gave Joseph his ring, garments of fine linen, a gold chain for his neck and a chariot….” (Gen. 41:42-44)

TRUTH TO LIVE BY GOD’S DELAYS ARE NOT ALWAYS GOD’S DENIALS. GOD DIRECTS IN OUR LIVES ACCORDING TO HIS TIMING AND WHAT IS BEST FOR US. HOW DID JOSEPH RESPOND? HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND? CHANGES IN LIFE CAN BE DIFFICULT, CHALLENGING, DISAPPOINTING, AND REWARDING.

TRUTH TO LIVE BY CHANGES IN MY CIRCUMSTANCES IN LIFE DO NOT CHANGE WHO I AM! I CAN BE WHO GOD CREATED ME TO BE REGARDLESS OF WHERE I AM. HOW DID JOSEPH RESPOND? HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND? GOD REWARDS OUR FAITHFULNESS TO HIM WITH BLESSINGS BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS. HOW DID JOSEPH RESOND? HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?