Primary Bible Passages: Genesis 41-48; 50

Key Verse: Genesis 45:5,7

Memory Verse: Isaiah 14:24

Lesson Aim: To show how God can effectively use and exalt a man in Jis sovereign plan

Preparatory Daily Bible Readings:

• Monday: Genesis 41-44
• Tuesday: Genesis 45-48
• Wednesday: Genesis 50; Acts 7:6-17
• Thursday: I Samuel 2:6-9; II Samuel 7:8; Daniel 2:21; Psalm 75:7; Psalm 147:6; Luke 1:52; Isaiah 14:24;  Isaiah 46:11; Esther 7
• Friday: Hebrews 10:31; Romans 11:33; Romans 3:2; Isaiah 9:6-7; John 1:11; Philippians 2:10-11
• Saturday: Isaiah 57:20-21; Numbers 32:23; Galatians 6:7; Proverbs 15:13; Proverbs 17:22
• Sunday: Matthew 6:12; Ephesians 4:32; I Peter 3:9; II Corinthians 12:9-10; I Peter 1:6-7; Psalm 37:4-8

I. JOSEPH EXALTED. (Genesis 41:1-46)

A. Joseph was a most unlikely candidate to become the prime minister of Egypt, yet within a few hours, he was promoted from the rank of a Hebrew slave in prison on an attempted rape charge to second in command to the most powerful man on earth at the time. (Genesis 41:14,41-44)

1. It seems that Pharaoh who ruled at the time was one from the Hyksos dynasty which had earlier conquered Egypt. A dynasty of alien conquerors generally cared little for one’s background providing he had the talent and could get the job done.1 Considering the normal entrenchment of bureaucratic officials, it is doubtful that Pharaoh’s subordinates were in full support of such a bold move, yet in view of the authoritarian, monarch type government of Pharaoh’s, it is clear that no one risked a challenge to the promotion of Joseph.

2.The strong ancient belief that dreams were divine in origin and that they were often prophetic in nature, coupled with Joseph’s ready ability to interpret his dream convinced Pharaoh and his chief advisors that Joseph was indeed a divinely sent messenger.2

B.In one night, Pharaoh dreamed two dreams which none of his people could interpret. (Genesis 41:1-13)

1. He first dreamed of seven very fat and healthy cows which began to feed in an Egyptian meadow. As he admired them, a most spectacular thing occurred, something which could only happen in a dream. Seven other cows, the leanest and most despicable ones possible, came up out of the Nile River and ate the seven fat cows. (Genesis 41:2-4) Pharaoh was so shocked that he awoke.

When he finally went back to sleep, he dreamed a second dream with an identical theme. He dreamed he saw the finest stalk he had ever beheld, a stalk with seven heads of the richest grain. As he watched, another stalk grew up with seven of the sorriest possible heads. These devoured the seven choice heads.

The lean cows literally "ate up" or chewed as food the good cows.3 The blasted grain swallowed or engulfed the good grain.4 Still the wretched cows and grain were just as miserable as before.

2. Though they all sensed that the dream was an announcement of something really big which was about to impact Egypt, none of his soothsayers and other wise men had a clue as to what the dreams meant. The stress of the situation prompted the chief butler to remember Joseph who two years earlier had interpreted both his and the chief baker’s dreams precisely.

3. Joseph was summoned and explained that the dreams were in fact one dream from God as a warning of seven years of extreme plenty which were about to begin. These years would be followed by seven years of woeful famine. The repeating of the dream was God’s way of stressing the urgency and severity of what was very soon to begin. (Genesis 41:14-32)

Joseph did not hesitate to suggest a plan to Pharaoh as to how to cope with the coming crisis. He said that a ruler with absolute authority next to Pharaoh should be appointed to manage crops and harvests during the seven years of plenty. Storehouses must be built and preparations made for the seven years of famine to follow; otherwise the people would perish. (Genesis 41:33-36)

4. Pharaoh knew Joseph was right as did his advisers. Unlike his earlier days when in the interpretation of dreams, Joseph had allowed attention to turn to himself, in the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, all attention and glory was centered on GOD, Elohim,5 the Creator and Sovereign of the universe.

C. Pharaoh was so sure that Joseph’s interpretation was correct and a true announcement from God, and he was so impressed with Joseph as God’s agent, that he made Joseph the ruler which Joseph had recommended. (Genesis 41:41-44) He also gave him Asenath to wife. (Genesis 41:45)

1. What a clear testimonial to the power of God which transcends all mortal activities! From the lowest of points, God can immediately bring anyone up to the highest point. (I Samuel 2:6-9, II Samuel 7:8, Daniel 2:21) As illustrated by Haman, (Esther 7) God also has absolute power to instantly abase. (Psalm 75:7, Psalm 147:6, Luke 1:52)

2. Let no man who is down lose heart, and let no man who is up become confident and secure! Against all odds God can change your situation in an instant.

II. JOSEPH THE SAVIOR OF HIS PEOPLE. (Genesis 41:46 - 47:12)

A. The seven years of plenty followed by seven years of dire famine occurred just as Joseph had predicted. (Genesis 41:46-57)

1. During the seven plenteous years, Joseph gathered and stored vast reserves of grain and other foods. (Genesis 41:48) During the plenteous years, God gave Joseph two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. (Genesis 41:50-52)

2. By the time the famine began, Joseph was 37 years old. Twenty years had passed since his brothers sold him and he had heard any word from his family. The famine, which extended far beyond the borders of Egypt, was so grievous that within a year, people were coming to Egypt from all countries to buy food. (Genesis 41:54-57) All such sales were under the direct supervision of Joseph. (Genesis 41:55)

B. Within a year from the onset of the famine, Jacob and Joseph’s brethren in Canaan were about out of food. Jacob sent all of his sons except his youngest, Benjamin, to Egypt to buy corn. (Genesis 42-45)

1. Close to 21 years from the time they sold Joseph, the ten brothers who did it found themselves at his mercy. What a prophetic illustration of Jesus Christ and of sinful men who put Him to death on the Cross! Ultimately, "every knee shall bow," to Him. (Philippians 2:10-11) Upon their arrival in Egypt, these men had to appear before Joseph for permission to "traffic in the land." (Genesis 42:34) They did not recognize this mighty man before whom they bowed, although he recognized them. (Genesis 42:6-8)

2. Being the Godly man he was, Joseph was aware of his role as savior of his people. He recognized the fact that the providence of God had placed him in Egypt and advanced him to his lofty position for the specific purpose of preserving his family when the killer famine came. As he later said to them, "God did send me before you to preserve life." (Genesis 45:5) The current events began to make clear sense to Joseph in light of the early revelations of God to him through dreams.

3. Joseph was very wise. Not in revenge, but to ensure the return of his brothers to Egypt, at first Joseph did not reveal who he was to his brothers. He was aware that if they knew who he was, their guilt and fear would keep them from revealing the truth about him to Jacob and from returning to Egypt. His course of action forced them to deal with their sin and co-operate with the plan of God.

How limitless are the ways of God in forcing the hands of those who do wrong! (Hebrews 10:31; Romans 11:33)

4. In order to ensure their return, Joseph "spake roughly unto them," (Genesis 42:7) accused them of being spies, (Genesis 42:9) and put them in jail for three days. (Genesis 42:17) In their efforts to represent themselves as honest men, they spoke of their father and youngest brother, Benjamin, back in Canaan. As proof of their claims, Joseph demanded that they bring Benjamin, and he took Simeon and bound him before their eyes as a prisoner to be held until they did so. (Genesis 42:24)

5. As the remaining brothers headed home, they were shocked and filled with fear to find every man’s money in the top of his grain sack. (Genesis 42:25-28) When they explained to Jacob the events which occurred in Egypt, he was filled with anguish and staunchly refused to let Benjamin go. (Genesis 42:29-38)

6. Within a few months the initial grain purchase ran out. Things became so desperate in Canaan that Jacob had no choice except to send Benjamin with his other sons to buy more grain. (Genesis 43:1-14) When Joseph saw his brother Benjamin (the others were half-brothers), he could barely contain his emotions. He ordered a feast to be prepared at his house and that these Hebrews be brought there for a banquet. He arranged that they be seated in birth order beginning with the oldest. Benjamin’s portion was five times as great as the others. (Genesis 43:15-34) As Joseph dined with his brethren, he asked many questions about Benjamin, Jacob, and family matters. They still did not know who he was.

7. After the meal, Joseph sent them away, but he had each man’s money placed in the top of his sack, and he had his own personal silver cup placed in Benjamin’s sack. (Genesis 44:1-3) As the men left the edge of the city, Joseph sent his steward after them. His cup was discovered in Benjamin’s sack, and the men, as thieves, were brought back before Joseph where they fell prostrate on the ground before him. (Genesis 44:4-14)

8. In one of the most sensationally moving scenes in scripture, these men lay on their faces before Joseph and confessed their sins and wickedness in the sight of God. Thinking that Joseph was about to make a permanent slave out of Benjamin, Judah begged for Benjamin’s freedom and offered himself a servant in Benjamin’s stead. He said that if Benjamin did not return home, the old man, Jacob, would surely go down to his grave in unbearable grief. (Genesis 44:16-34) The unfolding of the workings of God before him was more than Joseph could bear. He ordered his Egyptian attendants out, and in a most forgiving and compassionate scene, Joseph revealed himself to his brethren and explained to them that he would nourish and care for them through the remaining five years of the famine. (Genesis 45:1-15)

C. The brothers of Joseph provide one of the Bible’s most potent illustrations of sin’s guilt and abasing consequences.

1. From the day they sold Joseph into slavery, it is obvious that the evil and guilt of what they did was on the conscience of each of these men. Joseph was 17 when they sold him and 30 when he came to power in Egypt. There were seven years of plenty and two years of famine that had already occurred when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. After 22 years, their wrong to Joseph, whose whereabouts they knew not, was foremost in their minds. They were sure that the troubles they were now facing were a direct result of their sin against Joseph. Like so many who sin, they had known from the start that what they did was wrong.

a. Upon their initial arrival in Egypt to buy corn and the rough greeting from Joseph, whom they knew not, they lamented over what they did to Joseph. (Genesis 42:21-22)

b. When they returned and were brought into Joseph’s house for a feast, rather than rejoice, they were afraid. (Genesis 43:18) Sin robs men of joy and wholesomeness and fills their hearts with fear. (Isaiah 57:20-21)

c. As simple a thing as their seating arrangement heightened their tension. (Genesis 43:33)

d. When they were brought back to Joseph’s house after the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack, Judah, unknowing of who Joseph was, lamented, "What shall I say unto my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants." (Genesis 44:16)

e. Judah’s pleading to Joseph in Genesis 44:18-34 makes clear the weight of their long-term deception of their father Jacob, and once they found out who Joseph was, they had to go home and tell their father, which exposed their sin and deception.

f. Instead of rejoicing when they learned who Joseph was, they trembled in fear of potential retaliation against them. (Genesis 45:3)

g. When Jacob later died, they were again in great fear. They thought Joseph had been kind to them and foregone reprisals because of Jacob. They were afraid that with Jacob’s death, Joseph would turn on them and get even. (Genesis 50:15-21)

2. Sin always produces nasty consequences, one of which is guilt. (Numbers 32:23; Galatians 6:7; Proverbs 15:13; Proverbs 17:22)

D. Joseph is one of the Bible’s prime examples of proper response to evil.

1. He freely forgave his offenders. (Genesis 45:4-5) Consider Matthew 6:12 and Ephesians 4:32.

2. He rendered good for evil. (Genesis 50:21) Consider I Peter 3:9.

3. He was objective enough to recognize himself to be merely a vessel or tool in the hand of God. (Genesis 45:5;7-8; Genesis 50:19-20) An objective recognition of the over-riding plan of God and one’s self as merely an instrument serving His purpose is a great spiritual victory. It makes one far more content with whatever his role in life is and changes his perspective from that of forgotten and mistreated of God to that of God's servant privileged to be effectively used in His great enterprise. (II Corinthians 12:9-10; I Peter 1:6-7)

III. THE BIG PLAN OF GOD.

A. Joseph provides many symbolic and prophetic pictures of Jesus Christ.6

B. The main purpose in the events of Joseph is stated in Genesis 45:7, "God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance."

1. In Abraham, God established a nation through which He would give the world two primary gifts.

a. He would give men the Holy Scriptures through this nation. (Romans 3:2)

b. He would give the world the Messiah through this nation. (Isaiah 9:6-7, John 1:11)

2. At the time of Joseph, that nation was very small. When Jacob came to Joseph in Egypt, this nation numbered only 70 people. (Genesis 46) God knew the danger that they would perish, either from calamity or intermarriage, if they remained in Canaan. He, who knows the future, foreknew the great famine, which would force this tiny nation into Egypt. There He would preserve them, under the Egyptian umbrella of protection, until they were strong enough to return to Canaan and survive. (Acts 7:6-17)

3. Joseph recognized what God was doing and knew the arrangement of Israel in Egypt was not permanent. Just before his death at 110 years old, he called his brethren to him and assured them that God would bring them out of Egypt and back into the land of Israel. He commanded them, upon departure, to take his bones with them for burial in the homeland. (Genesis 50:24-25)

4. God determined to raise up a nation and preserve it. That He did. (Isaiah 14:24, Isaiah 46:11) In so doing, He used many unsuspecting people, who were not aware that they were serving as tools in the hand of God to accomplish a mighty undertaking. The preservation of Israel in Egypt, the role of the brothers of Joseph, the tremendous example and attitude of Joseph, the years of plenty, and the famine should cause every person to appreciate and highly respect the providence of God. Let each of us trust Him and cooperate without rebellion with the circumstances, pleasant or unpleasant, which He allows into our lives. (Romans 8:28) He always has a plan. It is always to our advantage to submit to Him and co-operate with what He is doing, even when what He is doing is not clear to us. (Psalm 37:4-8)

2. Ibid., page 254.

3. Strong, James, Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary, New York: Abingdon Press, 1958, reference 398.

4. Morris, Henry, The Genesis Record, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1976, page 577.

5. Strong, reference 430.

6. Entzminger, Louis, Studies in Genesis, Fort Worth: The Manny Co., 1946, pages 121-130.

Joseph was living in a dungeon and had been for several years. In Egypt, he was a common criminal, accused (falsely) of the attempted rape of his master’s wife. Imagine! A slave attempting to rape his master’s wife! How despicable! Furthermore, Joseph was a Hebrew. Egyptians wouldn’t even eat with Hebrews. To an Egyptian, a Hebrew was an "abomination." For 13 years, Joseph had met with one enormous trial and adversity after another, and at 30 years old, he found himself a Hebrew slave forgotten in an Egyptian prison. Of all people who would have been deemed likely to be the prime minister, second in command to the most powerful man on earth at that time, all within one day’s time, surely Joseph would not have been even considered; yet with one flex of God’s providential muscle, it happened. God can do anything any time. He can reduce the greatest, most secure person to ashes within an instant, and He can convert a pauper to a prince just as quickly. All who are down and seemingly hopeless should take a second look. Those who think their situation is hopeless have forgotten how great God is. Those who are perched high in great security also need to rethink. God can rake the highest eagle’s nest right over the cliff with one heart attack, stock market crash, or over-throw of the government.

The Egyptian Pharaoh dreamed a most unusual dream twice in the same night. It first came in the form of seven fat cows eaten by seven awful, despicable, malnourished cows, who looked no better after their cannibalistic meal than before. In the second part of this prophetic dream, Pharaoh watched as seven lean, blasted stalks of grain came up and devoured seven of the finest stalks of grain he’d ever seen. In this culture, where dreams were taken very seriously and where those who could interpret them were regarded as messengers from God, Pharaoh could find no one in his kingdom, not even among his wisest soothsayers and magicians, who had the faintest idea what this dream meant. In the stress of the situation, Pharaoh’s chief butler remembered being in prison with Joseph, who interpreted with precision a dream he had. He told Pharaoh about it, and Pharaoh called for Joseph. It took a little while to get Joseph shaved, clothed, and presentable to the monarch, but within a few hours, he had told Pharaoh exactly what the dream meant.

Joseph explained that seven years of unparalleled plenty in Egypt were about to begin. He further explained that these seven plenteous years would be immediately followed by one of the worst famines the world has ever known. Joseph said the doubling of the dream was to emphasize the extremes of both plenty and famine. He explained that if drastic measures were not taken to storehouse foods during the plenteous years, the people would perish during the famine. He recommended that Pharaoh appoint one person to oversee and co-ordinate the food storage project as well as the distribution of the food during the famine. Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph that he made him that man. He gave him full authority in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. He also gave him the daughter of a distinguished Egyptian priest to wife. By her, Joseph had two sons.

Joseph was one of the most industrious men who has ever lived, and he went right to work preparing for the coming famine. Huge storehouses were built throughout Egypt and all excess grain was stored.

The famine began right on schedule, and it was every bit as severe as predicted. This famine was not limited to Egypt. Within a year, people were coming from far and wide to buy grain from the Egyptians. In order to trade in Egypt, all buyers had to personally meet and be approved by Joseph. This included Joseph’s brothers. When they came, Joseph recognized them, but they did not realize that it was Joseph with whom they were dealing.

Wise Joseph knew about sin and guilt. Though it had been well over 20 years since his brothers had mercilessly and shamefully sold him into slavery, he knew that their recognition of him in such a role of authority would strike fear and dread to their hearts, and that they might flee and not return. He knew also that if they did not return, they’d perish. He had begun to recognize that God had sent him to Egypt ahead of them and placed him in the position of authority in order that he might act as a savior for his family. To Joseph, it was crucial that the whole family be brought to Egypt, a task which would not be easy.

God had a much bigger operation in progress than the immediate preservation of the Jacobean family from the famine. In reality, the famine was a divine vehicle to force Jacob to bring his family to Egypt. God would not allow this infant nation to perish in Canaan, not through a famine, not through inter-marriages to other peoples, or by any other means. In Egypt, He would preserve them under the umbrella of Egyptian prosperity and military might until he knew this nation had grown sufficiently to make it in Canaan on its own.

To ensure the return of his brothers to Egypt, Joseph accused them of being spies with evil intentions toward Egypt. In their efforts to portray themselves as honorable men, they recited some of their family history, mentioning their youngest brother, Benjamin. Benjamin was Joseph’s only whole brother. The others were not born to Rachel, as were Joseph and Benjamin. As proof of their claims of integrity and honesty, Joseph demanded that Benjamin be brought to him. In their presence, he seized and bound Simeon, vowing not to release Simeon, nor see them again, until Benjamin was produced.

They were emotionally wrecked. They knew God was repaying them for what they had done to Joseph. Oh, the effects of sin! Guilt lingers like one’s shadow. Unbeknown to them, Joseph had the money of each brother placed in the mouth of his grain sack. When they discovered this, they were even more distressed. Back in Canaan they told Jacob what had happened. He too went into an emotional tailspin, rebuking them for having mentioned Benjamin and vowing that he would not let Benjamin go to Egypt.

In about a year, the initial provisions played out. It became obvious to all that they’d have to return to Egypt or perish. The boys refused to go without Benjamin, and Jacob reluctantly agreed to let him go with a load of Canaan gifts to appease this prime minister. They arrived and fell prostrate before Joseph while trying to explain the money in their sacks. To their surprise and fear, Joseph commanded that they be brought to his personal house for a feast. They knew it was a trick and more vengeance from God for their evil against Joseph.

As they ate, Joseph inquired of Benjamin and his father and about the family. The tension was enormous. Joseph yearned to make himself known to his brethren as their sense of guilt continued to mount.

As they prepared to depart, Joseph commanded his steward to return each man’s money, and to place his personal silver drinking cup in Benjamin’s sack. He then commanded the steward to overtake them, find the cup, and bring them back to him upon charges of theft. By this time, these men were reduced to shambles. Foremost in their minds was their sin against Joseph and how these current troubles were the punitive hand of God against them. With Judah as their spokesman, they begged Joseph not to keep Benjamin as a slave. Judah begged to stay in Benjamin’s place. He assured Joseph that keeping Benjamin would absolutely destroy their father, Jacob.

Joseph could stand it no more. He demanded that every Egyptian leave the room, and there, in one of the most magnanimous moments in all of history, Joseph revealed who he was to his brothers who 22 years before had sold him into slavery. Here is one of scripture’s most powerful prophetic foretypes of the Lord Jesus Christ and those who come to Him. As did Joseph’s brothers before him, all who come to Christ receive forgiveness, mercy, grace, and good for evil. In Joseph there was only love without malice. He recognized the plan of God and saw himself as merely a privileged vessel or tool in God’s hand. Instead of being subjective and vengeful, he was glad to be used of God in such a wonderful capacity as the preservation of his own family. He promised to secure them and meet their every need, a promise which he faithfully kept.

The story of the brothers is a story of sin and guilt. Since the day of their dastardly deed to Joseph, they had lived in shame, guilt, and fear of divine restitution. Yes! Sin is a terrible thing, a destroyer of all that is good in all who succumb to it.The divine reduction and humiliation of Joseph’s brothers are a clear and glaring testimony to that truth. Even a casual comparison of Joseph with his brothers leaves no doubt about which is the far superior way to live one's life.

2. What message of hope does the exaltation of Joseph communicate to you?

3. Describe Pharaoh’s dream.

4. What divine announcement was given in Pharaoh’s dream?

5. What was the point in the repeating of Pharaoh’s dream?

6. In interpreting Pharaoh’s dream, whom did Joseph exalt?

7. Explain the magnitude of Joseph’s exaltation.

8. Explain Joseph’s wisdom in preparing for the famine.

9. What forced the reentry of his brothers into the life of Joseph?

10. Describe the steps Joseph took to ensure that his family would come to Egypt.

11. Discuss the impact of their ignorance of who Joseph was upon the brothers' commerce efforts in Egypt.

12. Why was Benjamin so special to Joseph?

13. What was foremost in the hearts of Joseph’s brethren as they encountered such difficulties in Egypt?

14. Discuss the guilt of Joseph’s brothers.

15. How did Joseph interpret the coming of his brothers to him in Egypt?

16. What did Joseph see his role to be in the plan of God?

17. Discuss Joseph’s forgiving heart.

18. How did Joseph render good for evil?

19. Name ways in which Joseph prophetically typifies Christ.