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Joseph, Part 3
Genesis 40
Kinga Ka, Six Flags Great Adventure
https://i.imgur.com/yyAFBMj.jpg
https://youtu.be/AfBBq04ZScE?t=47
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4, ESV)
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12, ESV)
As we study the life of Joseph, we learn how to live our lives to glorify God and make our lives count for eternity, even when we are in the pit.
I. Joseph’s Position in Prison (vv. 1-8)
“Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined.” (Genesis 40:1–3, ESV)
The cupbearer’s job was to taste the wine and food of the king to make sure it was not poisonous.
“The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?”” (Genesis 40:4–7, ESV)
“Attended to” (v. 4) literally means “ministered to”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4, ESV)
“They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”” (Genesis 40:8, ESV)
II. The Two Dreams (vv. 9-19)
The interpretation of the cupbearer’s dream:
He would be restored to his former position in 3 days.
“Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.”” (Genesis 40:14–15, ESV)
The interpretation of the baker’s dream:
In 3 days time, he would be hanged and the birds would feast upon his body.
If both of these prophecies took place, surely it would be that much harder to assume that Joseph was just lucky in his interpretation. Instead, this will be proof that God was with him.
III. The Fulfillment of the Dreams (vv. 20-23)
“On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” (Genesis 40:20–23, ESV)
“After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile,” (Genesis 41:1, ESV)
These 2 years in prison, after the cupbearer’s release, must have been the darkest days in Joseph’s life.
It’s during the space between the now and then that God takes us to a deeper level of trusting Him.
It’s in this period that we have to let go of all our expectations and cling only to Him.
The testimony of Joseph’s life up to this point, is to remember that every Christian will suffer and that God can and will use suffering to accomplish His purposes.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV)
When you cannot understand what God is doing:
1. Look back at what God has done.
Knowing what God is up to in the moment is difficult.
It’s much easier to look back and see how God worked in the past.
2. Look ahead to what God has promised.
“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b)
Our times of suffering have an ending point.
Eternity with God has no end.
View all episodes
By First Baptist Church Decatur, ALGenesis 40
Kinga Ka, Six Flags Great Adventure
https://i.imgur.com/yyAFBMj.jpg
https://youtu.be/AfBBq04ZScE?t=47
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (2 Timothy 3:12, ESV)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4, ESV)
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12, ESV)
As we study the life of Joseph, we learn how to live our lives to glorify God and make our lives count for eternity, even when we are in the pit.
I. Joseph’s Position in Prison (vv. 1-8)
“Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined.” (Genesis 40:1–3, ESV)
The cupbearer’s job was to taste the wine and food of the king to make sure it was not poisonous.
“The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?”” (Genesis 40:4–7, ESV)
“Attended to” (v. 4) literally means “ministered to”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4, ESV)
“They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”” (Genesis 40:8, ESV)
II. The Two Dreams (vv. 9-19)
The interpretation of the cupbearer’s dream:
He would be restored to his former position in 3 days.
“Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.”” (Genesis 40:14–15, ESV)
The interpretation of the baker’s dream:
In 3 days time, he would be hanged and the birds would feast upon his body.
If both of these prophecies took place, surely it would be that much harder to assume that Joseph was just lucky in his interpretation. Instead, this will be proof that God was with him.
III. The Fulfillment of the Dreams (vv. 20-23)
“On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” (Genesis 40:20–23, ESV)
“After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile,” (Genesis 41:1, ESV)
These 2 years in prison, after the cupbearer’s release, must have been the darkest days in Joseph’s life.
It’s during the space between the now and then that God takes us to a deeper level of trusting Him.
It’s in this period that we have to let go of all our expectations and cling only to Him.
The testimony of Joseph’s life up to this point, is to remember that every Christian will suffer and that God can and will use suffering to accomplish His purposes.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV)
When you cannot understand what God is doing:
1. Look back at what God has done.
Knowing what God is up to in the moment is difficult.
It’s much easier to look back and see how God worked in the past.
2. Look ahead to what God has promised.
“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5b)
Our times of suffering have an ending point.
Eternity with God has no end.