Tonight we’re going to be looking at how God uses dreams in the life of Joseph. Dreams are a mysterious thing aren’t they? I mean, who knows what some of them mean.
A wife woke up one morning and said, “Honey, I just had a dream that you bought me a new gold necklace. What do you think it means?” “I don’t know, but Valentine’s Day is coming soon. Tuesday, you’ll know,” He replied. A few nights later, she again woke up after having a dream, “This time, I dreamed you gave me a pearl necklace. What do you think it means?” “You’ll know Tuesday,” He replied. The night before Valentine’s Day, she again woke up telling him about her dream, “This time I dreamed that you brought me a diamond necklace. What do you think it means?” “Honey, be patient. "You’ll know tonight." he said. That evening, the husband came home with a package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it to find a book entitled, "The meaning of dreams."
You know in ancient Egypt during the time of Joseph the interpretation of dreams were an important part of the culture. The people thought they could see the future through the interpretation of their dreams. But what they didn’t realize was that the dreams that God gave needed a God-given interpretation. We’ll see that in the passages tonight as God again use dreams in the life of Joseph.
Remember, God’s already gave Joseph two important dreams when he was still at home. Those dreams showed how one day Joseph’s family would bow down to him. But we’re a long way from home now as Joseph sits in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. So let’s look at how:
I. Joseph remains faithful in prison
[Read Genesis 40:1-4.]
Joseph’s in prison because of the false accusations of Potiphar’s wife. But because the hand of God was on him, the chief jailer had put him in charge of all the other prisoners. Then two of Pharaoh’s officials offended him so bad they were put in prison with Joseph. And guess who made sure that Joseph took care of them? Potiphar.
[Read Genesis 40:4, 39:1.]
It would seem that Potiphar knew Joseph would take good care of these men who for whatever reason were thrown into jail. Potiphar knew Joseph and trusted that he would care for these men well. And of course, the Bible says that Joseph did care for them for many years. But then one night the two officials had dreams. Strange dreams that they just didn’t understand.
II. Joseph interprets the dreams of the prisoners
[Read Genesis 40:5-15.]
So the cupbearer learns that in a few days time he’ll be out of prison and have his job back. That was great news! We all like those kinds of dreams. All Joseph asked was for him to speak on his behalf to Pharaoh. “No problem!”
So when the baker saw the good interpretation of the cupbearer’s dream he was eager to find out what his dream meant. Oh but be careful what you ask for!
[Read Genesis 40:16-22.]
Just like Joseph had interpreted, the dreams came true. But there was no doubt of that. After all, right from the start Joseph told them that it was God that would give them the interpretations. And God did just that.
But there was just one problem – Joseph was forgotten.
[Read Genesis 40:23.]
The cupbearer was so excited about being back in the king’s court he totally forgot how he got there. And here’s the cycle that Joseph finds himself in again. The good he does is rewarded with difficulty.
- obeying his father/sold into slavery
- resisting temptation/put into prison
- interprets dream by the power of God/forgotten
But Joseph doesn’t lose heart. He remains faithful there in prison for the next two years.
III. Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh
[Read Genesis 41:1-8.]
The wisest of the wise men in Egypt, with all their magical training and paganism, couldn’t understand what Pharaoh’s troubling dreams meant. And these were probably men who prided themselves on being able to interpret dreams. But this one stumped them.
I think it was because these dreams were from God, and only through the power of God would these dreams be understood. So of course they couldn’t interpret them. But all of a sudden the cupbearer had a flashback and remembered what Joseph had done for him.
[Read Genesis 41:9-13.]
You know that’s just like the world – when all else fails, try God’s way.
[Abstinence education illustration.]
So they go and get Joseph and ready him to be presented to Pharaoh so he can try and interpret the troubling dreams.
[Read Genesis 41:14-32.]
By the power of God Joseph interprets the dreams. And he makes sure Pharaoh understands that these dreams are a good thing from God.
- in verse 16 Joseph says, “God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer”
- in verse 25 Joseph says, “God has told Pharaoh what He is about to do”
- in verse 28 Joseph says, “God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do”
- in verse 32 Joseph says, “the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about”
Now Joseph was confident about the interpretation of these dreams, but he was also
making sure that God got the credit. Over the years, and through the trials, Joseph had learned that it was about God. Anything good he could do was because God was in his life.
[Tim Tebow illustration.]
After Joseph tells Pharaoh what was going to happen, he tells him what should be done.
IV. Joseph proposes a solution for the coming famine
[Read Genesis 41:33-36.]
Now when you first read this it seems like Joseph is lobbying for a job here. But I think it’s more than that. Remember, he’s just laid on Pharaoh some serious news here. For seven years the land will be in abundance, but will be followed by seven years of famine. And this he’s telling to the one responsible for an entire nation! So when Joseph gives him a solution to the coming problem, I think he was simply being caring and positive. A problem was coming. But instead of whining about it, Joseph offered up a solution.
Do we need some more of that in our world. I get so sick of people complaining about this and that when they have absolutely no ideas on how to solve the problem. Then there’s the people who complain about this problem or that problem but aren’t willing to be a part of the solution to the problem. We need more people to be like Joseph who can see reality for what it is, come up with a solution, and then be willing to be a part of the solution.
[Deaconesses reaching out to new widow example.]
That’s how Joseph was. Wherever he was, when a problem arose he faced it and did what he could to fix it. He didn’t waste time complaining about the problem. He got busy on the solution. We need more people like that in our world.
Well Pharaoh was thoroughly impressed. So much so that he made Joseph ruler of all Egypt right behind him. Joseph was moving from the prison back into the palace – but this time he was in charge.
V. Joseph promoted to prime minister of Egypt
[Read Genesis 41:37-45.]
Joseph has come from the lowest possible point in his life to an incredible position of power in Egypt. And Pharaoh made sure that everyone knew Joseph was now in charge. The cupbearer knew, Potiphar knew, even Potiphar’s wife now knew. Everybody knew!
- Pharaoh dresses him royally and gives him his signet ring
- Pharaoh gives him an Egyptian woman to be his wife
- Pharaoh gives him an Egyptian name, (meaning not known for sure)
- Pharaoh parades him around before the people
- Pharaoh even commands the people to bow before Joseph
Joseph was firmly ensconced in his new position of authority. So, was it pay back time
for those who wronged him? Did he go after Potiphar’s wife who had him thrown into prison for something she was doing? Did he go after the cupbearer for forgetting to mention him to Pharaoh earlier? Did he go after his brothers who started this whole mess and sold him as a slave? Joseph did none of these. Joseph simply got to work!
[Read Genesis 41:47-49.]
He followed through on his earlier proposal to prepare for the coming famine during the seven years of abundance. It’s obvious that God had grown Joseph into a mature man of integrity through his amazing journey.
Think about it, six dreams and thirteen years later, God has Joseph positioned as the ruler of Egypt. And remember, God was the One who gave all of those dreams. He gave the two dreams to Joseph while he was at home, He gave the two dreams to the prisoners, and He gave the two dreams to Pharaoh. And we know it was God all along because God gave the interpretation of all those dreams to Joseph. Amazing. But it just goes to show us how God is always at work in our lives, even when we don’t realize it. What does it say in Romans 8:28:
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
When we don’t understand and when we just get tired we must remember that God is at work in our lives for good according to His purpose. His purpose to mature us in the faith and to use us in the world for His glory. Let’s be like Joseph and get the most we can out of the journey that God has us on.
