1. Joseph could see the providence of God n Joseph recognized his whole experience to be the working of God. (Gen 45:5-7; 50:20; Psa 105:17)

2. Joseph could see the providence of God n Genesis 45:5-7 (NKJV) But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

3. Joseph could see the providence of God n Genesis 50:20 (NKJV) But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

4. Joseph could see the providence of God n Psalm 105:17 (NKJV) He sent a man before them—Joseph—who was sold as a slave.

5. Joseph could see the providence of God n We too have the promise that God is “with us.” (Matt 28:19-20; Heb 13:5-6)

6. Joseph could see the providence of God n Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

7. Joseph could see the providence of God n Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

8. Joseph could see the providence of God n We need to be humble and not arrogant. There is always a question about the specifics of God’s providence. (Philemon 1:15)

9. Joseph could see the providence of God n Philemon 1:15 (NKJV) 15For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever,

10. Joseph could see the providence of God n Discussion: Does the providence of God work today?

11. Joseph could see the providence of God n Discussion: Does the providence of God work today? n 1. Who has the promises of God’s providence?

12. Joseph could see the providence of God n Discussion: Does the providence of God work today? n 1. Who has the promises of God’s providence? n 2. How can I know that God has provided?

13. Joseph could see the providence of God n Discussion: Does the providence of God work today? n 1. Who has the promises of God’s providence? n 2. How can I know that God has provided? n 3. What attitudes can hinder us from seeing the provisions of God?

14. Joseph could see the providence of God n 4. What are some common mistakes people make when considering the providence of God? (Ex. Job)

15. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n Consider the path he followed to become second in command.

16. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n Consider the path he followed to become second in command. n He was sold to men who were going to Egypt.

17. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n Consider the path he followed to become second in command. n He was sold to men who were going to Egypt. n He was bought by “Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh” and “captain of the guard.” (Gen 39:1)

18. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n He was put into not just any prison, but “a place where the kings prisoners were confined.” (Gen 39:20)

19. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n He was put into not just any prison, but “a place where the kings prisoners were confined.” (Gen 39:20) n He would meet and show God’s power to some of Pharaoh’s servants.

20. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n He was put into not just any prison, but “a place where the kings prisoners were confined.” (Gen 39:20) n He would meet and show God’s power to some of Pharaoh’s servants. n At the right time he would meet Pharaoh.

21. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n He was put into not just any prison, but “a place where the kings prisoners were confined.” (Gen 39:20) n He would meet and show God’s power to some of Pharaoh’s servants. n At the right time he would meet Pharaoh. n Were there any responsibilities on Joseph’s part?

22. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n He had to be faithful to God. He worked hard at whatever he did. (Col 3:23-24) n Colossians 3:23 through Colossians 3:24 (NKJV) 23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. n He had to maintain his spirit.

23. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV) And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

24. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n He had to maintain his spirit.

25. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n He had to take advantage of opportunities to serve others.

26. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n He had to take advantage of opportunities to serve others. n Consider how Joseph interpreted dreams.

27. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n He had to take advantage of opportunities to serve others. n Consider how Joseph interpreted dreams. n He met the baker and butler because he was willing to serve. (Gen 40:1-4)

28. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n He had to take advantage of opportunities to serve others. n Consider how Joseph interpreted dreams. n He met the baker and butler because he was willing to serve. (Gen 40:1-4) n He learned about their dreams because he cared enough about these men to ask why they were sad. (Gen 40:5-7)

29. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n God allowed him to interpret dreams because Joseph recognized Him and His power. He was not doing this for himself. (Gen 40:8)

30. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n God allowed him to interpret dreams because Joseph recognized Him and His power. He was not doing this for himself. (Gen 40:8) n Both men recognized the power of God in Joseph. (Gen 40:9-23)

31. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n God allowed him to interpret dreams because Joseph recognized Him and His power. He was not doing this for himself. (Gen 40:8) n Both men recognized the power of God in Joseph. (Gen 40:9-23) n Even with these successes by Joseph he still had to wait.

32. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n Why does God want us to wait on Him? (Isa 30:18; 40:31; 49:23)

33. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n Isaiah 30:18 (NKJV) Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.

34. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) 31But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

35. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n Isaiah 49:23 (NKJV) 23Kings shall be your foster fathers, And their queens your nursing mothers; They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And lick up the dust of your feet.

36. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n Discussion: How does God work?

37. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n 1. Why is it important that we understand something about how God works?

38. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n 1. Why is it important that we understand something about how God works? n 2. Is timing important to God? Can we see the “why” in delays by God?

39. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n 1. Why is it important that we understand something about how God works? n 2. Is timing important to God? Can we see the “why” in delays by God? n 3. Did Joseph focus on this one blessing he wanted to the ignoring of other blessings of God?

40. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n 1. Why is it important that we understand something about how God works? n 2. Is timing important to God? Can we see the “why” in delays by God? n 3. Did Joseph focus on this one blessing he wanted to the ignoring of other blessings of God? n 4. Does God answer every prayer of the righteous? Explain. (1 Jn 5:14-15)

41. Joseph was raised to freedom and power by God’s provisions n n 1 John 5:14-15 (NKJV) Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

42. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n When he stood before Pharaoh he made that point clear. (Gen 41:14-16)

43. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n Genesis 41:14-16 (NKJV) 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.”

44. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n 16 So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

45. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n When he stood before Pharaoh he made that point clear. (Gen 41:14-16) n This could have offended Pharaoh. Still it was the truth.

46. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n When he stood before Pharaoh he made that point clear. (Gen 41:14-16) n This could have offended Pharaoh. Still it was the truth. n This was God’s timing. Pharaoh was ready to listen.

47. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n When he stood before Pharaoh he made that point clear. (Gen 41:14-16) n This could have offended Pharaoh. Still it was the truth. n This was God’s timing. Pharaoh was ready to listen. n Joseph gave the interpretation without seeking advantages for self. (Gen 41:17-32)

48. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n Genesis 41:17-32 (NKJV) 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.

49. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n 21 When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they 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.”

50. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n 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.

51. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n 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 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.

52. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n There was no flattery for Pharaoh.

53. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n There was no flattery for Pharaoh. n The truth about the future would benefit the country.

54. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n There was no flattery for Pharaoh. n The truth about the future would benefit the country. n Joseph recommended a course of action that was wise. He did not recommend himself for the position! (Gen 41:33-36)

55. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n Genesis 41:33-36 (NKJV) “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.

56. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n 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.”

57. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n There was no flattery for Pharaoh. n The truth about the future would benefit the country. n Joseph recommended a course of action that was wise. He did not recommend himself for the position! (Gen 41:33-36) n Pharaoh made a wise decision that greatly blessed his country. (Gen 41:37-45)

58. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n Genesis 41:37-45 (NKJV) - So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. 38And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”

59. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n 41And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 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. 43And 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.

60. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n 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.

61. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n Joseph gave God the glory for the good he now experiences (Gen 41:46-52)

62. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n Genesis 41:46-52 (NKJV) 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. 48So 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. n 50And 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. 51Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” 52And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

63. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n 49 Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable. 50 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.”

64. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n Joseph gave God the glory for the good he now experiences (Gen 41:46-52) n When the famine came then the nation not only was preserved but grew mightily in power and wealth. (Gen 41:53-57)

65. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n Genesis 41:53-57 (NKJV) 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 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.”

66. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n 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.

67. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n Joseph gave God the glory for the good he now experiences (Gen 41:46-52) n When the famine came then the nation not only was preserved but grew mightily in power and wealth. (Gen 41:53-57) n There came a day where Egypt forgot this great man. (Ex 1:8)

68. Joseph was successful in his work because of God n Exodus 1:8 (NKJV) Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

69. God’s work prospered though Joseph n What is the plan of God? (Gen 12:1-3)

70. God’s work prospered though Joseph n What is the plan of God? (Gen 12:1-3) n This is the main reason for Joseph’s coming to Egypt. (Gen 50:20)

71. God’s work prospered though Joseph n What is the plan of God? (Gen 12:1-3) n This is the main reason for Joseph’s coming to Egypt. (Gen 50:20) n God was to raise up a great nation.

72. God’s work prospered though Joseph n What is the plan of God? (Gen 12:1-3) n This is the main reason for Joseph’s coming to Egypt. (Gen 50:20) n God was to raise up a great nation. n Joseph gave some crucial advice to his father. (Gen 46:31-34)

73. God’s work prospered though Joseph n What is the plan of God? (Gen 12:1-3) n This is the main reason for Joseph’s coming to Egypt. (Gen 50:20) n God was to raise up a great nation. n Joseph gave some crucial advice to his father. (Gen 46:31-34) n How does this advice work out for good for the future of God’s people?

74. God’s work prospered though Joseph n Did Joseph need to be concerned with anything besides telling the truth?

75. God’s work prospered though Joseph n Did Joseph need to be concerned with anything besides telling the truth? n The greatest purpose for a child of God is to be an instrument in the hands of God!

76. God’s work prospered though Joseph n Discussion: How might God provide for me?

77. God’s work prospered though Joseph n 1. Might we face situation where telling the truth might cause others to become angry with us? What should we do?

78. God’s work prospered though Joseph n 1. Might we face situation where telling the truth might cause others to become angry with us? What should we do? n 2. What possible conflicts could we face in a job, in school or on a sports team?

79. God’s work prospered though Joseph n 1. Might we face situation where telling the truth might cause others to become angry with us? What should we do? n 2. What possible conflicts could we face in a job, in school or on a sports team? n 3. How can we best avoid these conflicts?

80. God’s work prospered though Joseph n 1. Might we face situation where telling the truth might cause others to become angry with us? What should we do? n 2. What possible conflicts could we face in a job, in school or on a sports team? n 3. How can we best avoid these conflicts? n 4. What would a Joseph do?

81. God’s work prospered though Joseph n Conclusion: Will you let God provide for you?