Joseph Series

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.