JOSEPH: FROM PIT TO PALACE

   (Genesis 41)

…Most of us like to be promoted in our work.  A job promotion is usually greeted by a celebration.  We gather our        

  loved-ones together and have a party. 

…In one day, Joseph received the most remarkable promotion in history.  He was advanced from the dungeon to the     

  highest possible position in his day.  He went from the very bottom to the top.  You and I could never have written

  this script.   It is God’s script.  

…In all of this, it is God who is in control, not Pharaoh.  God is almighty and His ways are past our finding out.  It is         

  now time for God to do something, so what does He do?  He gives a couple of dreams to the king.  That’s all. 

TWO EVENTS IN JOSEPH’S LIFE REMINDING US THAT GOD IS ON HIS THRONE.  For He is never at a loss to bring about His purpose!  Never!

I.      God Sends Joseph To The King To Interpret His Dreams. (vv 1-36)

                A.            Joseph was in the pit of a dungeon, having been forgotten for 2 years.  He was at the low point

of his career.  It looked at if nothing would ever change for him.

                                …Yet in all of this, Joseph looked to God and found strength in his time of trouble.

                                …The turning point in his life came on a day that seemed like every other.  There was no advance

                                warning, just another day in the dungeon. 

                B.             God sent Pharaoh two dreams. (vv. 1-13)  “of cows and corn.”

                                1.             The King was troubled by his dreams.  Yet, the wisest of Egypt could not understand 

                                                God’s revelation, for He had closed their minds.   (1 Corinth 2…”the natural man…”)

                                2.             When the palace is troubled, Joseph was remembered.  (vv 9-13)

                C.             Joseph is summoned to appear before the king.  (vv 14-36)

                                1.             Joseph is humble in deflecting any glory to God.  (v. 16)  “I cannot…but God…”

                                2.             After hearing the dreams, Joseph tells the king the meaning. 

                                                …he does not hesitate.  He is God’s prophet, and God was telling what He was about

                                                to do. (v. 28)  He was bringing a famine upon the land of Egypt.

                                3.             Next, Joseph advises the king in how to properly respond to God’s message to him.

                                                (vv. 33-36)   Find a wise man to be your manager… 

II.     God Has Joseph Promoted To Prime Minister.  (vv.37-57) For, “the hand of the Lord

                is on the heart of the king, and He turns it where ever He wills.”  Joseph had been faithful over little

                things, and now God was going to promote him over great things.

                A.            The king perceives Joseph to have some rare qualities:  God’s children are different from…

                                1.             He has character… he is seen as wise and discerning.  (v. 39) Character is who you are!

                                2.             He is different from others, in that the Spirit of God was upon him.  (v. 38)

                                                (Do people see these things in us?  They should!)

                B.             The king appoints Joseph to high office. (v. 40)  Only the king is higher.  Joseph received a

                                ring, some royal clothing, honor, and a wife from Pharaoh.  (vv. 42-45)

                                …God’s always keeps His Word…He had told Joseph of this very day.  How surprised he must

                                have been.  Most things take all sorts of time for us, but God does not need vast periods of

                                time to work.  He is amazing.  He is never too early, or too late. 

                                …Joseph carries out his new duties with focus and precision.  (vv. 46-52)

                C.             The king’s dreams unfold exactly as given by God.  (vv. 53-57)

                D.            How often a promotion ruins people, but not Joseph.  He kept his eyes on the Lord in both

                                adversity and in prosperity.  “Many have been brought low by promotions.”  “Deprovement.”

                                …when promoted, let’s not be guilty of trimming…like the old coins of the ancient world. 

                                1.             Often in times of trouble, we become despondant, thinking God has abandoned us…

                                2.             But in times of prosperity, we often become arrogant and abandon God.

                                …It seems rare to find one like Joseph, who can enjoy sudden prosperity and keep his spiritual

                                life on course.

                                …ADVERSITY can strengthen and mellow us, while PROSPERITY can humble and draw us even

                                closer to the Lord.  

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES: