May 12, 2024 - Genesis 41:14-37
May 12, 2024
Genesis 41:14-37
Lessons Learned
by Wayne Gaeddert
1. God revealed important information about the future to the most powerful man in the world, a pagan, in order to promote Joseph, God’s man, to the second most powerful man in the world.
2. God uses his people, through the Holy Spirit, to interpret what God has revealed to mankind.
3. Joseph was 30 years old when he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams. Genesis 41:46
4. Joseph did not become bitter from the injustices he endured, he allowed God to work through him in each circumstance to accomplish his purpose.
5. Joseph made sure that Pharaoh understood that God would be responsible for the interpretation of the dreams.
6. Joseph had learned how to exalt God rather than himself.
7. “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11, 18:14b, Matt 23:12 (NIV)
8. The Nile river basin was the breadbasket for the Egyptians, therefore Pharaoh knew that the dream about cows coming out of the river represented something significant.
9. All the dreams connected with Joseph come in pairs:
Sheaves bowing/sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing. Genesis 37:5-11
Butler/baker. Genesis 40:8-19
Cows/heads of grain. Genesis 41:1-7, 17-24
10. No only did Joseph interpret the dreams, but he also suggested a plan of action that would spare the country from being ruined by the famine.
11. Joseph had learned how to exalt God rather than himself.
12. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. 1 Peter 5:5b-6 (ESV)
13. Joseph prefaced the interpretation of the dreams with three points.
A. Both dreams represent the same thing.
B. God was the author of the dreams.
C. The dreams reveal what God is about to do.
14. Only God can transform your broken life into an abundant life.
15. Joseph honed his leadership skills with each event that impacted his life preparing him for the role of second in command in Egypt.
Favored son- He felt love. (Leaders are both loved and hated.)
Hated by his brothers- Those who hate you will work to bring you down.
In the pit- He was without power and had to depend on God.
As a slave- He learned to take orders.
As a favored slave- He learned to be in charge.
In prison- He learned how to survive on minimal rations.
16. “We cannot be fully used by God unless we persevere through trials and major disappointments.” Dr. Don Laughlin
17. Application:
Spiritual understanding is given to those who are servants of God.
“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.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NKJV)
God’s Word warns us today of coming judgment and also provides the plan to avoid condemnation.
Your life experiences will prepare you for what God calls you to do—It did for Joseph. See # 15.