Last week, we learned in Genesis 40 that Joseph interpreted dreams for the king’s butler and baker. As the butler returned to his duties in the palace, Joseph begged him to do what he could to secure Joseph’s freedom. Sadly, the chapter ends that he forgot Joseph. Genesis 41 begins with fresh hope for Joseph.

Transition

In this exciting chapter, we are going to see three wonderful displays of God’s grace and mercy that ought to encourage our hearts.

In Grace and Mercy God gave Pharaoh a Prophetic Dream

  1. Note the events leading up to the dream.
    1. Two full years passed after Pharaoh released the butler from prison (v.1).
    2. Joseph spent those two years in prison, longing to be free. He did not know God’s plan. He did now know why God allowed him to be in prison.
    3. At the end of two full years, Pharaoh had a strange dream (v.2-8).
      1. We remember that before the Bible was completed, God sometimes revealed his plans through dreams.
      2. Pharaoh recognized that the dream may have a meaning and he sent for interpreters (v.8).
  2. God did not have to reveal the future.
    1. Grace is unmerited divine help. Mercy is withholding was we do deserve.
    2. In grace and mercy, God gave Pharaoh the prophetic dream. He could have let the future unfold with no warning.
    3. The Bible contains many examples of God warning people about bad future events.
      1. One example is the ten plagues of Egypt.
      2. Another example is Jonah warning Nineveh of coming judgment.
      3. One of the greatest warnings in the whole Bible applies to events that are still future.
        ☆ (Hebrews 9:27) “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
        ☆ Jesus said in (Luke 13:3) “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
        ☆ (John 3:36) “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
    4. Why did the Lord give us such warnings? It is because He is gracious and merciful. He does not want any of us to miss heaven and spend eternity in the Lake of Fire.
      ☆ (2 Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

In Grace and Mercy God Arranged for Joseph to Interpret

  1. God caused the butler to remember Joseph
    1. The butler, who had direct contact with the king, heard of the king’s dream (v.9). He then remembered how Joseph interpreted his dream two years earlier in prison.
    2. The butler told the king of Joseph (v.10-13).
  2. God caused Pharaoh to call for Joseph
    1. Only God could cause the king to call for a prisoner to interpret his dream (v.14). He shaved and changed clothes.
    2. God allowed the troubles of Joseph’s life to work together for good (v.14-16). Note carefully how Joseph depended on God and gave Him all the glory (v.16). If Joseph had become bitter, God could not have used him.
    3. Pharaoh told the dream to Joseph (v.17-24).
    4. With God’s grace, Joseph explained the prophetic dream to Pharaoh (v.25-36).
      1. Let me define a few of the terms so we can better understand the dream.
        1. “Kine” is another name for cows. Seven were fat and seven were skinny.
        2. “Ears of corn” refer to heads of grain (v.5). It does not refer to maze corn. Seven heads were fat and good and seven were thin and blasted or scorched.
      2. In the two-part dream, the seven fat cows and seven full heads of grain represented seven years of abundant harvest. The seven skinny cows and seven thin heads represent seven years of famine. The skinny cows ate the fat cows but stayed skinny and the thin heads of grain ate the fat heads of grain but stayed thin. The famine would eat up all the fat of the good years.
    5. Joseph told Pharaoh that God wanted him to store up the extra grain during the good years in order to save life during the bad years (v.33-36)
      ☆ Why did God not stop the famine? Natural disasters like famines are a result of sin. The curse upon the ground changed all that God had made. Before Adam and Eve sinned, the world was a perfect place. By allowing the famine, people could see the grace and mercy of God.
      God in His grace and mercy gave the king the dream and allowed Joseph to be in the right place at the right time to be called on to interpret the dream. God wants every person to see that he needs Him. Those who do not think they need God will reject His saving grace and miss heaven.

In Grace and Mercy God had Joseph Promoted

  1. God caused Pharaoh to believe Joseph
    1. How did he know that Joseph’s interpretation was correct? I believe God opened their minds to this (v.37)
    2. Pharaoh then wondered where he would find a man in whom the Spirit of God is (v.38). He recognized God’s hand in all this and gave Him honour.
  2. God caused Pharaoh to promote Joseph
    1. Pharaoh chose Joseph because “God had showed him all this” (v.39). Again, God got the glory.
    2. Pharaoh promoted Joseph from a prisoner to the prime minister of Egypt (v.40-45)
  3. God enabled Joseph to be a good leader
    1. Joseph was 30 years old when he was promoted (v.46). Finally, after thirteen years of slavery and imprisonment, Joseph learned why God had allowed him to have all those troubles. God wanted him in the right place at the right time to be able to become the prime minister of Egypt to save the world from starvation.
    2. Joseph gathered all the extra food during the prosperous years (v.47-49).
    3. God gave Joseph two sons (v.50-52).
    4. Joseph sold grain when the famine began (v.53-57)
      ☆ All that God allows in our lives is part of His overall plan. If we will obediently follow Him, one day we will see it all from God’s perspective and be glad that we obeyed.

Conclusion

This story reveals God’s wonderful grace and mercy. God revealed the future through His chosen man Joseph to save many people from death. God also had Joseph promoted from prisoner to prime minister.

God offers grace and mercy to us as well. He warns us in the Bible of judgment to come and urges us to be saved from it by faith in Christ. He does not want us to perish. Have you repented of your sin and placed your faith in Christ alone to save you? If not, I urge you to do so today.

Christian friend, God is gracious and merciful. You may not know right now the reason God is working as He is in your life, but God makes no mistakes. One day, though it may not be in this life, you will see things as God sees them. Years ago, Job said, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) One day the Lord will reward all who have been faithful to Him, so let’s be faithful (1Co 3:14).

Song: Cast Your Burden on the Lord (bulletin)
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Prisoner to Prime Minister
1 February 2015 am – Genesis 41:1-57 – Gen 14 – Scott Childs