Patient Endurance Genesis 40:1-23 1. GOD'S METHOD 39 v 20 And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. Acts 9:16 I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. I.THE PRISON IS A PLACE OF OPPRESSION V. 39 v 20 And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. A. Joseph was "bound" in the prison. B.Joseph was "blessed " in the prison 21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Job 23:10! But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. C. Joseph was "blooded " in the prison G.A. Young, in his song, "God Leads Us Along" put it this way: Sometimes on the mount, Where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along; Sometimes in the valley, In darkest of night, God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, Some through the flood, Some through the fire, But all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, But God gives a song, In the night season, And all the day long.
Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. II. THE PRISON IS A PLACE OF OBSCURITY V. 20 and he was there in the prison. Hudson Taylor "The future is as bright as the promises of God" A. Joseph's Dreams B. Joseph's Disappointments Heb. 4:15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. C. Joseph's Discouragements 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. III. THE PRISON IS A PLACE OF OPPORTUNITY V. 21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. He learns about (a) God's Presence, But the LORD was with Joseph (b) God's Providence, and shewed him mercy, (c) God's Purposes and gave him favour (d) God's Power in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Daniel could not have learned of God's power over the lions unless he was first cast into the lions den. The 3 Hebrews could not have learned that God was able to deliver them from the fire until they had been cast into the furnace. The Disciples would never have known that Jesus could still the storm until they found themselves in the midst of it. Mary, Martha and Lazarus would never have understood that Jesus is The Resurrection and the Life unless Lazarus had died. The women with the issue could not have experienced the healing touch of Christ, without the suffering and the cost of her illness. IV. THE PRISON IS A PLACE OF OBEDIENCE V. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. Note His :- (a) Passion For Service (b) Patience In Service (c) Persistence With Service V. THE PRISON IS A PLACE OF OVERCOMING V. 23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper. 1. He was placed over an assignment - Gen. 37:13-14. 2. He was placed over a household - Gen. 39:4. 3. He was placed over a prison - Gen. 39:22-23. 4. He was placed over a nation - Gen. 41:40-41.
2. GOD'S MESSAGE 4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. I. A PICTURE OF REDEMPTION 40:9-11 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, In my dream, behold, a vine was before me; 10 And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes: 11 And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.
A. The branches 1. The BRANCH, as well as the vine (John 15:5), is a name for JESUS (Zechariah 3:8; Isaiah 11:1)
B. The bud 1. A promise of LIFE (Jn. 14:6; 10:10)
C. The blood - grape juice
II. A PROMISE OF RESTORATION 40:12-13 And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: 13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
Jesus did this for one of the thieves on the cross:
Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The release was to be THREE days after the dream of the shedding of the blood of the grape. This reminds us of the Lord being THREE days and nights in the heart of the earth to bring freedom! (Matthew 12:40) A. He was freed from the shackles of the prison
B. He was freed for service in the palace!
III. A PLEA FOR REFLECTION 40:14 But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:
Luke 22:19 he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
IV. A PENALTY FOR REBELLION
Genesis 40:22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.
There were three crosses at Calvary:
A. The cross of reception
B. The cross of redemption
C. The cross of rejection
3.GOD'S MOMENT 23did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. Abraham, waited for Isaac Moses, waited for God. He also tried to take matters into his own hands when he killed an Egyptian and had to flee from Egypt for a considerable time. Joseph, waited for deliverance for 2 years 4. GOD'S MAN 6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. (1) THERE WAS AN INWARD LACK OF BITTERNESS!
* Notice Gen.37:24, 28 ... His brothers forsook him, yet he did not become bitter!
* Notice Gen. 39:19-20 ... Potiphar’s wife framed him, he did not become bitter!
* Notice Gen.40:14, 23 ... The Butler forgot him ...
(2) THERE WAS AN OUTWARD LACK OF RETALIATION!
* Opponent gets double “Okay, Genie, I’m ready for my last wish,” , “Scare me half to death.” Rom. 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
(3) THERE WAS A GODWARD LACK OF BLAME! A) ... Joseph Rested In The Promises Of God! * It was not a day dream, but a divine dream!
B) ... He Rejoiced In The Providence Of God!
* Joseph knew that God was in charge ...
* preacher who been away for a few days and when he got back one of his members met him at the train station. “Preacher, not good, a cyclone came through the town and blew my house down.” That was God’s punishment for the way you have been living.” * The member said, “Preacher, it also blew your house down.”
C) ... He Remained In The Pathway For God Kept on Serving 8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.
"Not I," said Paul, "I cannot do a thing apart from Him. Cannot you see, by simply, Knowing what I've been?"
"Not I," said Joseph,"Not one dream can I reflect for Thee. God's the one and you must know, It is not in me."
"Not I," said Jesus and these words mean, That in awe we fall "Without the Father," said the Son, "I can do naught at all."
If Jesus, Master, Lord of life, Alone could do no thing, What right have we to boast at all? Our power is in the King.
He is our life; He is our strength, He is our very breath. He has the power over time, He holds the key to death.
He owns the sun, He rules the night, There is no "hand of fate". He owns the power to humble men, He only makes them great
I cannot live the Christian life, As it was meant to be. Praise God! You've only asked that You, Might live Your life in me.
“Not I, Not I,” though plaudits come, From all the world's acclaim. “Not I, for I'm unworthy, But to call upon His name”.
Oh, God. may men see naught but Thee, As my life goes on trial. Not I, but Jesus may they see, Then life will be worthwhile.
