Delivered by the Hand of the God of Israel
A. The Revelation
B. The Remembering and Review
C. The Rendering and Recommendations
D. The Recognition and Promotion
DBF, 4/14/02 Genesis 41
As a Bi-vocational Pastor, whose other job is as a Juvenile Probation Officer, I often find myself having to make decisions for the safety of communities in the Bristol Bay, Aleutians, and Pribolof Islands that differ from the feelings of the person being accused of committing a crime and their parents.
I am asked to ensure community protection, to protect of the youth, and to determine what things can be brought into the youths life to preclude any further transgressions against their communities.
Youth and parents have made comments to the effect of:
You don’t like me…
You only do this to Alaska Natives…
You wouldn’t do this if it were someone else…
I know these statements are not true. I love the area and the people that God have placed me around. I also know that people in stressful situations often strike out at whatever is handy—and a lot of times that is me.
What do I do? Do I argue back? Harbor ill feelings and resentment? No, because
I know that they often feel bad later for making these comments and for the most part I can understand the frustration of going through the intake process of a criminal action. I tell the youth and parents that I will always ere on the side of safety. If I send a child into the Youth Center for 3 or 4 days and the youth comes back with a healthier outlook on life it is far preferred than to leave them in the community to harm themselves or others.
Have you ever found yourself falsely accused? Where do you turn to for comfort?
Joseph shows us that as long as we faithfully walk the path that God lays before us—God is faithful to care for us and deliver us from any and all situations—in HIS perfect time. We will see a promise remembered, a dream revealed, and God’s providence rain down as we walk with Joseph through Genesis 41.
A. The Revelation
Genesis 41:1-8
After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, [2] and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. [3] And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. [4] And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. [5] And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. [6] And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. [7] And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. [8] So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
We see that Pharaoh’s dreams are recited. “By the river.” This is significant because the Nile was the tributary that allowed Pharaoh to rule and on many occasions was the reason that the Pharaoh’s were replaced. Pharaoh in the Egyptian culture was a God and if he could not predict the weather that he supposedly controlled, then the people lost confidence in him and he was replaced. For this reason, the dream Pharaoh has supposes himself on the banks of the Nile, in the reeds or marsh grass.
The cow has long been a significant emblem of fruitful nature among the Egyptians, held up in the hieroglyphic symbology of the earth and of agriculture. Pharaoh “Dreamed a second time.” The repetition is designed to confirm the warning given, as Joseph afterward explains Gen. 41:32. Corn (grain) is the natural emblem of fertility and nurture. Then Pharaoh awakes--“And, behold, it was a dream.” Pharaoh’s dream was so impressive that it could have been taken for the reality, until he awoke and perceived that it was only a dream.
“His spirit was troubled.” Have you ever been troubled? We see here that troubles are not a thing only to the lower classes. It knows to geographic, demographic, are economic bounds. Like the officers in the prison Gen. 40:6, he could not get rid of the feeling that the dream had a significant meaning.
So, who does he send for first? “The scribes”—the hieroglyphs, who belonged to the priestly cast, and whose primary business was to make hieroglyphic and other inscriptions; while they were accustomed to consult the stars, interpret dreams, practice soothsaying, and pursue the other occult arts. The sages, who made the various arts above mentioned, while the engraving or inscribing department strictly belonged to the hieroglyphs or scribes. None of these worldly sources could interpret the dreams.
Where do you go when you are troubled? Do you run to worldly sources for advice, to friends or acquaintances, or do you call a fortune teller hotline?
No God calls us to HIM in our times of trouble as 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (KJV) tells us:
For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: [9] But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: [10] Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us
B. The Remembering and Review
Genesis 41:9-25 (KJV)
Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: [10] Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker: [11] And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream. [12] And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret. [13] And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
[14] Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. [15] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. [16] And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace. [17] And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river: [18] And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow: [19] And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness: [20] And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine: [21] And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke. [22] And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: [23] And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: [24] And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
Have you ever come to a place where you forget what God has been given you through the giving of HIS precious son—Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to die to set you free? Are you comfortable today to the point that you do not seek to be uncomfortable if called by God? We should never be to comfortable or too complacent to do God’s will.
I think God reminds the butler of his promise to Joseph at this time, speaking to Pharaoh about the gift that God has blessed Joseph with. He remembers his offense against Pharaoh and his ingratitude in forgetting Joseph for two years.
“A Hebrew lad.” The Egyptians were evidently well acquainted with the Hebrew race, at a time when Israel had only a family. He tells Pharaoh that he predicted who would be pardoned and who would be hanged.
Pharaoh sends for Joseph, who is hastily brought from the prison--But not too hastily. If even the heathen present themselves in a worthy manner when coming before worldly royalty—we as Christians should do no less when coming into the presence of our Heavenly Father. We see that the Egyptians insured “He shaved.” The Egyptians were accustomed to shave the head and beard, and thus Joseph was brought before Pharaoh.
Again, Joseph tells the people who hear his interpretation that it is not his own but the God of Israel that was the only one worthy of praise and glory and honor.
Joseph tells Pharaoh--“Not I God shall answer.”
According to his uniform habit Joseph ascribes the gift that is in him to God. “To the peace of Pharaoh”—so that Pharaoh may reap the advantage—under God’s sovereign authority.
C. The Rendering and Recommendations
Genesis 41:25-36 (KJV)
And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. [26] The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. [27] And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. [28] This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. [29] Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: [30] And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; [31] And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. [32] And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. [33] Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. [34] Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. [35] And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. [36] And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
God now through Joseph proceeds to interpret the dream, and offers counsel suitable to the emergency. “What the God is about to do.” The God of Israel, the one true, living, eternal God, in opposition to all false gods, including Pharaoh. Pharaoh was supposed to be able to do this—but as is apparent he could not do this in the least.
“And because the dream was repeated.” God will bring this about and the certainty is explained to denote the impending event. The beautiful interpretation and explanation of the dream needs no comment. Joseph now naturally passes from the interpreter to the adviser of God to Pharaoh.
Through God’s leadership he presents himself very well on this critical occasion. His presence of mind never forsakes him. The openness of heart and readiness of speech, for which he was early distinguished, now stand him in good stead. His thorough self-command arises from spontaneously throwing himself, with all his heart, into the great national emergency to which God as called him.
“A man discreet”—intelligent, capable of understanding the occasion; wise, prudent, capable of acting accordingly. “Let Pharaoh proceed”—take the following steps: “Take the fifth” of the produce of the land. “Under the hand of Pharaoh.” The things that are within his dominion and control.
The measures here suggested to Pharaoh were, we must suppose in conformity with the civil institutions of the country. The exaction of a fifth, or two tithes, during the period of plenty, may have been an extraordinary measure, which the absolute power of the monarch enabled him to enforce for the public safety.
The sovereign was probably dependent for his revenues on the produce of the crown lands, certain taxes on exports or imports, and occasional gifts or forced contributions from his subjects. This extraordinary fifth was, probably, of the last description, and was fully warranted by the coming emergency. The “gathering up of all the food” may imply that, in addition to the fifth, large purchases of corn were to be made by the government out of the surplus produce of the country.
How are you in your stewardship?
Do you make provision for the coming year? Do you make provision for God? Do you make provision for future harvests?
We are called to be wise stewards by God, HE shows Pharaoh this through Joseph.
1 Cor. 9:16-23 (KJV)
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! [17] For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. [18] What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. [19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. [20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; [21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. [22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. [23] And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
D. The Recognition, Promotion, and Program
Genesis 41:37-57 (ESV)
This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. [38] And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" [39] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. [40] You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards 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." [42] Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. [43] And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, "Bow the knee!" Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. [44] Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." [45] And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
[46] Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. [47] During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, [48] and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. [49] And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.
[50] Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. [51] Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. "For," he said, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house." [52] The name of the second he called Ephraim, "For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."
[53] The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, [54] and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. [55] When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do."
[56] So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. [57] Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.
Through the sovereign will of the God of Israel all the country of Egypt and the surrounding countries would--“Bow the knee.” Joseph was made a Vizier or Prime Minister this man who was sold into slavery and wrongfully imprisoned, second in Egypt only to Pharaoh.
Only God can take us from our worst and allow us to come to our best. God bestows Joseph to a position “Without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot.” Thou art next to me, and without thee no man shall act or move. “Zaphenath-paneah Tsophnath Pa`neach, tsof-nath’ pah-nay’-akh.”
Pharaoh designates him the preserver of life, as the interpreter of the dream and the proposer of the plan by which the country was saved from famine, remember Joseph gave glory to God for this.
He thus naturalizes him so far as to render his civil status compatible with his official rank. Joseph is given “Asenath” as his wife. The priests were the highest and most privileged class in Egypt. Intermarriage with this cast at once determined the social position of the wonderous foreigner. His father-in-law was priest of On, a city dedicated to the worship of the sun.
Pharaoh acknowledges that Joseph is “In whom is the Spirit of God.” Pharaoh give “His ring.” This gave Joseph the delegated power of the sovereign, and constituted him his prime minister or grand vizier.
Are you ready to live the good life that God has called you to? We can see in the walk of Joseph it is not always such a wonderful place we serve, but in God is all sufficiency.
“A gold chain about his neck.” This was a badge of office worn in Egypt by the judge and the prime minister. “The second chariot.” Egypt was noted for chariots, both for peaceful and for warlike purposes a despised race suddenly elevated to the second place in the kingdom.
The Pharaoh of Abraham’s day feels the power of him whose name is Yahweh Gen. 12:17. Abimelek acknowledges the God of Abraham and Isaac Gen. 20:3-7; 21:22-23; 26:28-29. And while Joseph is frank and faithful in acknowledging the true God before the king of Egypt, Pharaoh himself is not slow to recognize the man in whom the Spirit of God is. Having experienced the omniscience and omnipotence of Joseph’s God, he was prepared, no doubt, not only himself to offer him such adoration as he was accustomed to pay to his national gods, but also to allow Joseph full liberty to worship the God of his fathers, and to bring up his family in that faith.
Joseph was now in his thirtieth year, and had consequently been thirteen years in Egypt, a good part of this interval he had probably spent in prison.
The fulfillment of the dream here commences. “By handfuls.” Not in single stalks or grains, but in handfuls compared with the former yield. “He left numbering because there was no number.” This denotes that the store was immense.
Two sons were born to Joseph during the seven years of plenty. “Menasseh” which means “God made him forget his hardships.” He was grateful to God, who builds him a home, with all its soothing joys, even in the land of his exile.
His heart again responds to joys as he has his second son Ephraim-- “Fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Why doesn’t Joseph seek his family? Joseph, is true to his life-long character. He leaves all in the perfect hand of God, and waits in expectation and silent hope, the days when he will see his father and his brothers.
Are you ready today to wait in the expectation of God’s work in and through you? God calls us all to doing His good and perfect will.
One thing that is necessary however is that one must know God to know HIS will. If you have not called upon the name of Jesus Christ as your Lord and
Savior we invite you to do so today. It’s easy—A. admit to God that you are a sinner B. believe that Jesus is God’s only son that came down from heaven and took on the form of man for our salvation C. commit your life to the Lord above and ask him to fill you up with HIS love. If you would like to do this today we ask you to come forward at this time.
If you need prayers or would like to pray with someone we would ask you to come forward or to let us know how we can pray for you and your loved ones.
Remember, wherever you find yourself today, God has a perfect plan for your life if you will only seek Him first.
Closing Prayer.
