2024.11.03.Sermon Notes. Genesis 40-41 Spiritual Discernment, Humility, Dreams, and Promotion of Joseph
William Akehurst, HSWC
Scriptures: Joel 2:28-32, Genesis 40:1-23, Genesis 41:1-57, Hebrews 1:1-2, Romans 8:28-29, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Daniel 2:28, Daniel 2:47, James 4:10, Daniel 2:20-23, Psalm 33:12
BIG IDEA: Joseph, in his humility, served GOD and was given Spiritual Discernment to interpret dreams. From humility, GOD lifts Joseph up to begin to accomplish HIS plans HE gave to Joseph through dreams.
Dreams from GOD…
How many of you have had dreams that have come true?
Was GOD preparing you for something that was about to happen?
How long did it take for the dream to come true?
I am reminded of my dream of my father’s passing. I didn’t know it was about him at the time. I even shared the dream with him the morning I had received it. The very next day it was fulfilled in my father’s death.
Dreams can prepare us, show us, warn us, or encourage us, of what GOD is preparing for you and me.
Joel 2:28-32
28 “And it shall come to pass afterward
That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your old men shall dream dreams,
Your young men shall see visions.
29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth:
Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
32 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD
Shall be saved.
For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,
As the LORD has said,
Among the remnant whom the LORD calls.
Genesis 40:1-23 Dreams of the Butler and Baker
1 It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. 3 So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined. 4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while.
The prison captain of the guard put Joseph was in charge of the prison. This shows great authority and responsibility that Joseph has even as a prisoner.
This is GOD’s plan at work in the life of Joseph.
Joseph was in prison, a bad place, and yet the LORD put him in charge of the prison, under the captain of the guard.
The Butler and Baker offended Pharaoh. They were in charge of Pharaoh’s wine and food, respectively.
Pharaoh may have become sick and these 2 may have been suspects of a murder plot, possibly by poisoning. Regardless, GOD wanted them to meet Joseph as ‘The LORD was with Joseph’.
5 Then the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream, both of them, each man’s dream in one night and each man’s dream with its own interpretation. 6 And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in the custody of his lord’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”
Joseph saw that the butler and baker were sad, and we get a glimpse of Joseph’s heart, even while in prison. He showed compassion for them. Why are you sad?
JOSEPH shows us JESUS.
An innocent MAN who came to the captives, with compassion and care towards us.
8 And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.”
So Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”
JOSEPH saw these men troubled by their dreams and desired to help them.
“Do not interpretations belong to God?”
JOSEPH had experienced dreams in his youth which had not yet been fulfilled. His dreams about greatness antagonized his family, causing his brothers to mock him as a dreamer.
But Joseph knew the importance of dreams. And GOD had placed him in prison for this task.
Do not interpretations belong to God: God may certainly speak through dreams, and many passages of the Bible show this.
God spoke to these individuals in a dream:
Abimelech (a pagan ruler) (Genesis 20:3).
Jacob (Genesis 28:12; 31:11).
Laban (Genesis 31:24).
Solomon (1 Kings 3:5).
Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:1).
Daniel (Daniel 7:1).
Joseph (Mary’s) (Matthew 1:20; 2:13, 22).
Pilate’s Wife (Matthew 27:19).
HOWEVER, REMEMBER that NOT EVERY DREAM is a revelation from GOD.
Dreams can come to busy overactive minds:
Ecclesiastes 5:3a For a dream comes through much activity…
Ecclesiastes 5:7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and Jeremiah 23:25-28 warns that false prophets may use dreams to increase the weight of their give weight to their message
9 Then the chief butler told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, 10 and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. 11 Then Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.”
The grapes made sense to the Butler who served Pharaoh’s cup with wine.
12 And Joseph said to him, “This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. 13 Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler. 14 But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. 15 For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.”
JOSEPH was bold enough to interpret the dream that would be proved right or wrong in 3 days.
JOSEPH ASKS the butler a favor, I’m innocent, ‘Get me out of this house’!
Get me OUT of here!
16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and there were three white baskets on my head. 17 In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.”
18 So Joseph answered and said, “This is the interpretation of it: The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you.”
The BAKER saw a good interpretation for the butler, so he asked as well.
JOSEPH WAS FAITHFUL to deliver the interpretation which stated death for the baker. Joseph was a godly messenger who delivered the full message of these dreams. Good or Bad.
THOUGHT: Perhaps the butler was innocent and the baker was guilty? But GOD…
20 Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 21 Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.
3 DAYS LATER…The dreams come to pass.
THE BUTLER is Restored and the BAKER is put to Death.
JOSEPH HAD HEARD from GOD for the interpretation.
BUT THE BUTLER FORGOT about Joseph’s plea to “Get him out of prison”
JESUS is like Joseph to us.
• An innocent Man came into our prison and shared in our condition (world).
• This Innocent Prisoner revealed God’s message to us.
• The Innocent Prisoner was proved true in three days. (In 3 days, I will rebuild this temple)
JOSEPH SHOWS US JESUS, Whose Message From God Brings Life or Death.
If you are looking for a message from God, look to Jesus.
Genesis 41:1-57 Pharaoh’s Dreams and Joseph’s Plan
1 Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river.
2 YEARS GO BY. Joseph was in prison and forgotten by the butler.
This must have been discouraging to Joseph, and yet it appears that his trust in the LORD continued.
Lessons learned from Joseph.
• A common theme in life (of a Christian) is Waiting and Patience.
NOTE: I NO Longer Pray for Patience!
• Many times, good goes without reward, and other times as the saying goes…“No good deed goes unpunished”
• GOD orders our steps, our starts and our stops and our PAUSES.
• GOD’s hand was at work, and the timing was right. The Butler knew exactly where to find Joseph when the time was accomplished. Had Joseph been released in those 2 years, it would have been a whole other story.
2 Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. 3 Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. 4 And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke. 5 He slept and dreamed a second time; and suddenly seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. 6 Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. 7 And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream.
7 Cows in the Nile River were not uncommon, as a way cool off and get out of the heat. But it was the 7 ugly and gaunt cows that ate the first 7 cows that woke Pharaoh from his sleep. Odd, and scary…concerning.
Then, 7 grains in one stalk, and another 7 thin that devoured the first. Pharaoh woke up, but while it was a dream, it laid heavy on his mind. It was a message from GOD.
GOD speaks to us today. Joel 2:28
HE may use what is supernatural to get our attention.
HE speaks through HIS WORD by the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT IN us.
Hebrews 1:1-2
1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;
In these last days, GOD speaks to us by HIS SON JESUS!
8 Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.
PHARAOH was troubled in his spirit. It wasn’t just another dream. He knew it was something important and needed to understand what it meant. But there was no one who could interpret it, until…
9 Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: “I remember my faults this day. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, 11 we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream.
12 Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. 13 And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”
14 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.
THE BUTLER finally remembers Joseph, a “young Hebrew man”, realizes he has done wrong to Joseph, but recommends him to Pharaoh as the one who could interpret the dreams.
The Hebrew people were looked down upon in Egypt, and yet, there was one who had something they needed.
14. Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph.
In an instant, Joseph’s life would change.
When it’s GOD’s timing, things can happen in an instant.
We may experience pause in life. Delays. Unanswered prayers.
But be reminded of these 2 words: BUT GOD…
GOD HAS NOT FORSAKEN YOU. Perhaps you are not ready for the next step. Perhaps GOD is working on something or someone else in order to use you at just the right time.
Romans 8:28 We know all things work together for good to those who love GOD and are called according to HIS Purpose.
Many times we stop right there, but the next verse tells us in
Romans 8:29 that HE foreknew and predestined us to be made, conformed, changed, to the image of HIS SON.
GOD’s WORK in our LIFE is to conform us into the image of CHRIST, and that can take time.
We see JESUS in Joseph, who rose to great importance very quickly.
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.”
16 So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
NO ONE COULD INTERPRET THE DREAM. But the dream was an actual revelation from GOD.
Pharaoh was disturbed by it, and needed to know its’ meaning. He needed understanding.
“It’s not in me.” Joseph had the opportunity of glory, but gave the glory to GOD.
“GOD will give Pharaoh an answer of peace”.
In past, Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers and father out of self confidence of glory that he saw upon himself. But Joseph knew that it was GOD who would provide the answer.
Something was happening in Joseph as GOD continued to build his character into who GOD wanted Joseph to be.
17 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. 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.”
“So I awoke.” PHARAOH’s dreams distressed him to find their meaning, and he explains the dream to Joseph in all it’s details.
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. 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.
BOTH DREAMS were the same. GOD was showing Pharaoh what HE was about to do.
7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine so bad that the good plentiful years would be forgotten.
The dream was repeated 2 times. Assuring it would happen.
Deuteronomy 19:15 says that “by the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses, a matter shall be established.”
Just as we say that GOD’s WORD is true. This WORD that GOD gave directly to Pharaoh was also truth and prophetic, but with URGENCY…IT WOULD COME TO PASS, AND VERY SOON.
GOD used Joseph supernaturally to guide Pharaoh.
GOD uses JESUS by HOLY SPIRIT to Supernaturally Guide Us Today.
33 “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. 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.”
JOSEPH gave Pharaoh knowledge of what was about to happen as the revelation of Pharaoh’s dreams as a message from GOD.
Vs 33. Then JOSEPH began to apply wisdom to that knowledge.
The PROBLEM (famine) was identified and understood.
The PLAN (tax and store) to succeed and get through the problem had to be designed.
A TEAM had to be put in place to administer the plan.
A LEADER was needed to manage and make sure the Plan was followed.
The WORK had to be measured to make sure enough was held back.
ONE FIFTH is 20%. A Tax 2 times the normal 10% amount of that day. BUT these were 7 years of plenty, so there would be more than enough.
GOD’s MESSAGE THROUGH PHARAOH’S DREAMS was a timely and urgent call to action. If they didn’t prepare, all would be lost.
Joseph’s Rise to Power
37 So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”
PHARAOH Received Joseph’s interpretation as correct, and his advice made sense.
“A man whom is the Spirit of GOD.”
NOTE: This is the first mention of the HOLY SPIRIT coming upon a man.
And it was the pagan Pharaoh who saw it first.
THE POWER and PRESENCE of HOLY SPIRIT can and should be seen in the Believer by others. And should be evident by our character, humility, compassion and GOD given wisdom.
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40 You 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.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
SINCE GOD showed you this, you’re the one!
JOSEPH had the knowledge and wisdom of GOD; and Pharaoh had a choice and chose to give Joseph authority over it all.
JOSEPH would be Second in the kingdom after Pharaoh and have all authority over all the land of Egypt. The RIGHT HAND to the king.
An overnight success? Hardly. His journey began 13 years before from being cast in a pit, sold into slavery, in prison and now promoted to 2nd only to the ruler himself.
It appears that Joseph’s Dreams do come true!
POINT: The account of Joseph’s path that began as a humble servant and prisoner to a powerful ruler over all the land gives a prophecy of JESUS Himself
JESUS who came from Heaven to Earth (to set the captives free from our prison of sin), To Live and Die for mankind, and to be Risen and Ascend to the RIGHT HAND of GOD THE FATHER.
JESUS IS LORD OVER ALL.
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. 43 And 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. 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.”
UNSHACKLED to wear THE SIGNET RING that shows Pharaoh’s authority on the one who wore it. Now JOSEPH had that authority.
CLOTHED in garments of fine linen. From RAGS to RICHES.
GOLD CHAIN around his neck, Unshackled and ADORNED.
RIDING ON A CHARIOT. From the walk of a slave to the ride of his life.
WITHOUT CONSENT No man may lift his hand or foot. All authority was given to Joseph, and whatever he said, they had to obey.
JOSEPH IS A PICTURE OF JESUS CHRIST.
JESUS is the messenger from GOD to us about life and death, and bringing us HOPE.
JESUS speaks truth about the future as we now see it happening around our world today.
JESUS provides the bread of life for those in famine Without GOD.
ALL AUTHORITY is given over Heaven and Earth, to JESUS, by the FATHER HIMSELF.
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.
JOSEPH’s new name. Zaphnath-Paaneah. Means: Seer, Redeemer, Prophet, Supporter, Interpreter of Dreams, Clever, Wise and Discreet.
A WIFE for Joseph. Asenath. Thought by Jewish scholars to be the daughter of Dianah and Shechem, but not proven. (speculated)
46 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. 48 So 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.
JOSEPH was 30 years old. A young man for such Great Authority and Responsibility.
BUT GOD took him through 13 years to develop in him a deep trust and the character necessary to accomplish HIS purpose through Joseph.
HE “gathered very much grain” 20%, that amassed an immeasurable amount to get them through the great famine.
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.”
2 SONS GIVEN HEBREW (NOT EGYPTIAN) NAMES.
MANASSEH means forgetfulness. GOD has made me forget the past pains. GOD made Joseph’s dreams come to pass to forget the prior pain and sufferings of his life.
EPHRAIM means fruitfulness. GOD made Joseph to be fruitful in Egypt.
53 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.” 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.
THE FAMINE was in all lands. But in EGYPT there was grain and bread.
Because of Joseph’s GOD GIVEN Wisdom to prepare during the years of plenty, EGYPT survived and all countries came there to buy grain, including the people in Canaan, Joseph’s family, which we will see in the upcoming chapters, as this story of Joseph continues…
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Romans 8:28-29
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Daniel 2:28a But there is a God in heaven that reveals secrets,
Daniel 2:47 The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.”
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
FINAL THOUGHT IN SCRIPTURE.
WITH THIS MESSAGE AND FOR ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 5, 2024
THIS PASSAGE SPEAKS.
Daniel 2:20-23
20 Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.
23 “I thank You and praise You,
O God of my fathers;
You have given me wisdom and might,
And have now made known to me what we asked of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”
Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
On November 5th 2024, Pray that OUR NATION would CHOOSE GOD over evil. GOD and Good. Life over death. Blessing over cursing. Security over insecurity and set godly leaders to lead our nation, ONE NATION UNDER GOD IN WHOM WE PUT OUR TRUST. Let GOD ARISE and the enemy be scattered!
MY PRAYER is that HOLY SPIRIT would open our understanding to this message of Spiritual Discernment, and GOD’s use of Dreams and Visions today; Giving ALL GLORY to OUR GOD OUR FATHER, the KING of kings and LORD over all; WHO reveals the deep and secret things, and gives wisdom and knowledge to those who seek HIM, and WHO removes and raises up kings and rulers of the nations, as we pray for godly leaders in our own nation, in JESUS NAME, Amen and Amen.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing,
Bill
