Bad things aren’t as bad as they seem - Boll Weevil mon. in AL - cotton to peanuts
From the Penthouse to the Outhouse and back again - but it will take over 13 years
Loses coat a second time - but gets a new one in the end
Imagine What’s it like to be on the back burner for 13 years - from 17-30
What a story!
Make the most of it - if you are a slave - be the head slave. If you are a prisoner, be the head prisoner. If you work for Pharaoh - be the head of state
Faithfulness and obedience to God - no matter the circumstances - made Joseph’s life a blessable life - contrast that to Reuben - lost his double portion to Joseph’s sons.
Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife
GE 39:1 Joseph sold to an Egyptian named Potiphar who was one of Pharaoh’s captain of the palace guard.
GE 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph. He gave him great success. Joseph lived in Potiphar’s house. 3 Joseph’s master saw that the LORD was with him. He saw that the LORD gave Joseph success in everything he did. 4 So Potiphar was pleased with Joseph. He made him his attendant. He put Joseph in charge of his house. He told Joseph to take good care of everything he owned. (except my wife)
Potiphar’s wife noticed Joseph. She said to him, "Make love to me!"
No! "My master has put me in charge, He trusts me to take care of everything he owns. My master hasn’t held anything back from me, except you. You are his wife. So how could I do an evil thing like that? How could I sin against God?"
She spoke to Joseph every day. he wouldn’t make love to her. He didn’t want to be with her.
One day Joseph went into the house to take care of his duties. None of the family servants was inside. 12 Potiphar’s wife grabbed hold of him by his coat. "Make love to me!" she said. But he left his coat in her hand. And he ran out of the house.
Lost his coat again she cries rape Flee youthful lusts - self control game doesn’t work!
Gen. 39:20-23 So he put Joseph in prison. It was the place where the king’s prisoners were kept. While Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him. He was kind to him.
So the man who was running the prison was pleased with Joseph. 22 He put Joseph in charge of all of the prisoners. He made him accountable for everything that was done there. 23 The man who ran the prison didn’t pay attention to anything that was in Joseph’s care.
The LORD was with Joseph. He gave Joseph success in everything he did.
The Wine Taster and the Baker
GE 40: the Egyptian king’s baker and wine taster. They were being held in prison. Both of them had dreams the same night. Each of their dreams had its own meaning.
Chief wine taster’s dream. I saw a vine in front of me. 10 There were 3 branches on the vine. As soon as it budded, it flowered. And bunches of ripe grapes grew on it. GE 40:11 "Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand. I took the grapes. I squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup. Then I put the cup in his hand."
Interpretation - "3 branches = 3 days. Pharaoh will let you out of prison. He’ll give your position back to you.
GE 40:14 "But when everything is going well with you, remember me. Do me a favor. Speak to Pharaoh about me. Get me out of this prison.
The chief baker’s dream - hoping for positive meaning
Three baskets of bread on my head. 17 All kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh were in the top basket. But the birds were eating them out of the basket that was on my head."
Interpretation - 3 baskets = 3 days. In three days Pharaoh will cut your head off. Then he will stick a pole through your body and set the pole up. The birds will eat up your body."
Everything happened exactly as Joseph had told them when he explained their dreams.
GE 40:23 But the chief wine taster didn’t remember Joseph. In fact, he forgot all about him.
Until - Pharaoh Has Two Dreams
GE 41 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream.
He was standing by the Nile River. 7 healthy fat cows came up out of the river. They were eating some of the tall grass that was growing along the river. After them, 7 ugly and skinny cows came up out of the Nile. The ugly, skinny cows ate up the seven cows that looked healthy and fat. Then Pharaoh woke up.
2nd dream. 7 healthy and good heads of grain were growing on 1 stem. After them, 7 thin and dried up heads of grain came up. East wind. From the desert - dry. They swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Magicians and wise men couldnt solve it. The chief wine taster remembered. Pharaoh says, "I had a dream. No one can tell me what it means. But I’ve heard that when you hear a dream you can explain it." 16 "I can’t do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh. "But God will give Pharaoh the answer he wants."
"Both dreams have the same meaning. God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. The 7 good cows are 7 years. And the 7 good heads of grain are 7 years. Both dreams mean the same thing.
7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine
32 "God gave the dream to Pharaoh in two forms. That’s because the matter has been firmly decided by God. And it’s because God will do it soon.
Solution? GE 41:33 "So Pharaoh should look for a wise and understanding man. He should put him in charge of the land of Egypt.
GE 41:34 "Pharaoh should appoint officials to be in charge of the land. Collect extra food of the good years that are coming.
GE 41:37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and all of his officials. 38 So Pharaoh said to them, "The spirit of God is in this man. We can’t find anyone else like him, can we?"
Joseph Is Put in Charge of Egypt
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I’m putting you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." 42 Then Pharaoh took his ring off his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes that were made out of fine linen. He put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He also had him ride in a chariot. Joseph was now next in command after Pharaoh. People went in front of him and shouted, "Get down on your knees!"
Closing thoughts
Is it possible that God gave Joseph dreams to set into motions a wave of events that would be the solution to the upcoming famine and the need to keep Israel alive?
Look at the Domino effect - Set up some big dominoes
Rachel unable to have children - after 10 boys to others, gives birth to Joseph (Ben then dies)
Joseph resembles mom - object of dad’s affection - spawns sibling rivalry
No Dreams - no irritation - no irritation, - no pit.
No pit - no slavery - no slavery - no job at Potiphers house
No job at potiphers house - no run in with his wife
No run in with the wife - no cry rape - no cry rape - no jail time
No jail time - no chance meeting with Baker and Butler
No meeting with Baker and Butler - no explaination of dreams
No explaination of dreams - no meeting with Pharaoh
No meeting with Pharaoh, - no chance to predict famine and the resulting plan to save people
No poeple saved, then Israel dies of famine and his family and God’s promise never kept.
Of course no emmigration to Egypt - no 400 years slavery
No slavery - no Moses
No Moses - no exodus, no law - no real nation of Israel
No nation of Israel - no one to welcome or kill the Messiah
