Never Forgotten Genesis 40 “I Had a Dream” Forgotten 1

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 “I Had a Dream” Chain of Circumstances Jacob’s special love for Joseph which led to the brothers’ hatred for him Joseph’s dreams The cistern – from dead man to slave Potiphar’s new slave A menial slave In charge of the household Potiphar’s personal attendant 2

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 “I Had a Dream” Chain of Circumstances (cont.) Joseph goes to prison. Joseph runs the prison. Joseph meets new people. Joseph becomes second in command in Egypt. Proverbs 19:21; Genesis 50:20 3

Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) Genesis 50:20 (NASB) 21  Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Genesis 50:20 (NASB) 20  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 “I Had a Dream” What is it with these dreams? Years before, Joseph had dreamed two dreams. A Cupbearer and a Baker were not common servants. Cupbearer’s dream had a good outcome. The Baker’s dream was not so good. Pharaoh’s dreams would have a global impact. 4

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 “I Had a Dream” “Revealer of Secrets” The focus here is not really the dreams but on the interpreter of the dreams. Joseph points to the interpreter of dreams before the interpretation – v.8. Today, God speaks through His Word by the power of the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 4:11; 1 John 1:3 5

1 Peter 4:11 (NASB) 11  Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 John 1:3 (NASB) 3  what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 “I Had a Dream” Salvation is from the Lord. Joseph’s life echoes Jonah’s proclamation in Jonah 2:9. Joseph shows his humanness in v.14-15. God does not answer in this specific way. But, it was not improper to ask. 6

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 Soul in Irons Psalm 105:18 says of Joseph, “They bruised his feet with shackles and his neck was put in irons.” Septuagint rendered “neck” as psyche (soul). Jerome, in the Latin Vulgate, took the Septuagint rendering “His soul laid in iron” and turned it into “Iron entered into his soul.” 7

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 Soul in Irons (cont.) Trust God in your afflictions. The monotony of the struggle wears you down. Joseph rises above his prison of circumstances. 8

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 The God Who Remembers People forget God doesn’t Noah – Genesis 8:1 Thief on the Cross – Luke 23:42-43 9

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 Three lessons of being forgotten by the Cupbearer STOP TRUSTING IN MAN. Allow disillusionment to turn us to …. TRUST THE LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS OF GOD. 2 Timothy 2:13; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalms 146:3-6; Jeremiah 17:5-7; Psalms 118:8; 56:3; 115:11 10

2 Timothy 2:13 (NASB) Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB) 13  If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Psalm 146:3-6 (NASB) 3  Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. 4  His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; In that very day his thoughts perish. 5  How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6  Who made heaven and earth, The sea and all that is in them; Who keeps faith forever;

Jeremiah 17:5-7 (NASB) 5  Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6  “For he will be like a bush in the desert And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant. 7  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord.

Psalm 118:8 (NASB) Psalm 56:3 (NASB) Psalm 115:11 (NASB) 8  It is better to take refuge in the Lord Than to trust in man. Psalm 56:3 (NASB) 3  When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. Psalm 115:11 (NASB) 11  You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 Three lessons of being forgotten by the Cupbearer STOP TRUSTING IN MAN. Allow disillusionment to turn us to …. TRUST THE LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS OF GOD. 2 Timothy 2:13; Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalms 146:3-6; Jeremiah 17:5-7; Psalms 118:8; 56:3; 115:11 WAIT FOR GOD. Isaiah 40:30-31 10

Isaiah 40:30-31 (NASB) 30  Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31  Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Never Forgotten Genesis 40 Application In your circumstances, is your trust focused on man or on God? How is your patience? Are you twisting as you wait on Him? Can you find joy in your circumstances as you eagerly wait on God’s Sovereignty? Do you have a long haul view of trust in your relationship with God? 11