Wednesday 08/30/17
Message – Joseph: Dreamer, Servant, Prophet, Ruler
Series: Thru the Bible – Genesis 39-41
Podcast: Download (64.9MB)
Joseph: Dreamer, Servant, Prophet, Ruler
Chapter 39
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- Joseph was purchased as a household servant by Potiphar.
- Potiphar means either, “He whom Ra gave” or “Devoted to the Sun”.
- So in Egyptian thinking this was equal to a Jewish person being called “Holy unto the Lord”.
- The Egyptians worshipped about 51 different “gods” (though one source claimed 114 and provided names).
- Ra was king of the gods until Osiris took over his throne. He is also known as Amun-Ra and Akmun-Rah.
- It was said he was born each morning in the East, and died each night in the West. In the night he traveled through the underworld. This is why the west side of the Nile was known as the land of the dead. He was the king of the gods.
- Potiphar’s position was that of “Captain of the guards” which in Egyptian could be translated as, “chief of the slaughterers”. He seemed to be a highly trusted offical in Egyptian government.
- God was with Joseph and made him successful in everything he put his hand to do.
- Potiphar took note of this, recognized it God (or perhaps Ra, in his thinking) was with Joseph and was the source of his success and so he made use of this success by promoting him to the position of “overseer” in his house.
- Overseer was an attendant who was vested with complete authority UNDER their master – in this case Potiphar.
- “he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate”…he So complete was Potiphar’s trust in Joseph that he did not micro-manage him. He could see well enough that his household was prospering under Joseph’s care and so took no account or inventory of his possessions. This is confirmed by verse 8, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand.”
- Potiphar took note of this, recognized it God (or perhaps Ra, in his thinking) was with Joseph and was the source of his success and so he made use of this success by promoting him to the position of “overseer” in his house.
- Joseph was a handsome young man, but he WAS young.
- This is probably why the passage leading into the proposition of Potiphar’s wife, the passage the words, “After some time…”
- Now, I grew up with the old adage about women that they are not sight motivated. That has NOT been entirely consistent with my experience and while it may be true of more women than men – it was NOT true with Potiphar’s wife.
- She was clearly smitten with Joseph from a purely physical and sexual standpoint.
- The phrase, “cast her eyes upon Joseph” reveal the base nature of her attraction. In modern words we would say, “Joseph caught her eye”.
- Joseph being a servant in her husband’s house probably emboldened her, but she was VERY direct in her approach “Have sex with me”
- Now to get some “age” perspective here, Joseph was 17 when he was sold into slavery and was only 30 when the Pharaoh promoted him from jail. We do not know how long Joseph was in jail, but it was probably not a super long time and the only mention of time was the 2 years after he interpreted dreams. So this little incided with “the wife” probably happened at the end of a 8-10 year career – placing Joseph’s age at about 25-27.
- Joseph maintained his integrity!
- The basis for his integrity was respect…
- For God
- God his master
- The basis for his integrity was respect…
- This did not seem to dissuade her at all since she continued to approach him, day after day hoping to wear down his resolve.
- Her determination somehow reminded me of this video clip…
- She eventually attacked him and he slipped away leaving his coat.
- Woman scorned!
- Potiphar become enraged and has Joseph imprisoned.
- Joseph prospers in jail.
- God grants him favor with the warden.
- Joseph essentially became “assistant -warden” a position not entirely different than the one he had in Potiphar’s house – only with different duties.
- Everything worked well under the Warden due to Joseph and so his working conditions were similar in that the warden did not micro-manage Joseph’s work.
Chapter 40
- Eventually two people under Pharaoh (cupbearer and baker) were placed in jail under Joseph’s supervision.
- Joseph was a caring and kind man.
- Joseph looked in on them in the mornings.
- One morning after they had both had a disturbing dream, Joseph asked them why they looked so distraught.
- Joseph was familiar with dreams and it is safe to assume he had grown sympathetic to those who put stock in them.
- Unlike his fathers – Joseph at this early age seems to always immediately defer to God. He asks them, “Do not interpretations of dreams belong to God? Tell me your dreams.”
- Joseph clearly believed God might offer to him the meaning of their dreams. Here is FAITH.
- They confided in him.
- He honestly and with confidence interpreted their dreams.
- The interpretations came true, but the cup-bearer forgot him and did not mention him to Pharaoh until Pharaoh himself suffered from a disturbing dream 2 years later.
- Evidently, the Egyptians celebrated birthdays!
- To celebrate, Pharaoh he gave a feast for his servants and even thought to release his cupbearer from prison ON THAT DAY!
- It was a BAD day for the baker though.
Chapter 41
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- Pharaoh has two dreams in one night.
- He calls all his wise men and magicians to interpret but they could not.
- Whether they failed to offer one or whether Pharaoh rejected their interpretation for one reason or another – who knows?
- At this point the Cupbearer remembered his promise to Joseph and made favorable mention of him to Pharaoh.
- SIDE NOTE: This whole thing paints a different picture of the pharaohs than I was ever familiar with. I always saw them as so high and exalted that NO ONE would dare approach them or speak unless told to – but this guy throws parties for his servants and evidently did not emanate an aura that made his servants too afraid to speak.
- Pharaoh acts on the information of his servant.
- Calls for Joseph and tells him what he has heard of his abilities.
- Joseph again defers to God and gives Him all the glory!
- “I am not able – it is God who will give you a favorable answer.”
- That Joseph knew the interpretation would be favorable is interesting.
- “I am not able – it is God who will give you a favorable answer.”
- Joseph reveals that it is God Himself Who communicating with Pharaoh in his dreams what He was about to do.
- Job 33:14-18, “(14) For God speaks time and again, but a person may not notice it. (15) In a dream, a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber on their beds, (16) He uncovers their ears at that time and terrifies them with warnings, (17) in order to turn a person from his actions and suppress his pride. (18) God spares his soul from the Pit, his life from crossing the river of death.”
- “A person may not notice it” – eyes to see/ears to hear
- God may still speak in a dream today: “To decry all such, because there are many vain dreams, would be nearly as much wisdom as to deny the Bible, because there are many foolish books.” (Clarke)
- “A person may not notice it” – eyes to see/ears to hear
- Again – here we have God taking credit for abundance and famine BOTH.
- Also, God is providing a means of not suffering DURING the famine.
- Job 33:14-18, “(14) For God speaks time and again, but a person may not notice it. (15) In a dream, a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber on their beds, (16) He uncovers their ears at that time and terrifies them with warnings, (17) in order to turn a person from his actions and suppress his pride. (18) God spares his soul from the Pit, his life from crossing the river of death.”
- This is an example of things repeated having greater significance – like “verily, verily I say to you….”
- God gives Joseph wise counsel to offer Pharaoh.
- Pharaoh does not seem to be intimidated by Joseph, but instead freely admits before all his servants how impressed he is and acknowledges that God’s spirit was in him.
- Again, from Pharaoh’s perspective, he may have believed it was the spirit of Ra – who to the Egyptians was the King of all the gods.
- Pharaoh acts on this counsel and in traditional fashion places Joseph in his typical position of 2nd in command – only this time it was over ALL OF EGYPT!
- Then he placed his Signet ring on Joseph’s finger!
- Fine cloths and a gold chain! – All badges of high honor!
- He then paraded Joseph in a chariot IMMEDIATELY behind his own with people crying out before them – to “bow the knee” upon their passing – which was a type of inauguration and established Joseph’s authority over them.
- Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”
- Pharaoh gave Joseph an Egyptian name the suggested meanings of which differ quite a bit, but carry a common theme. These include, but are not limited to….
- “revealer of secrets”
- one to whom hidden things are revealed.
- God Speaks and He Lives
- Jewish legends say each letter of Joseph’s Egyptian name means something and that by linking them all together, the name is “Seer – redeemer – prophet – supporter – interpreter of dreams – clever – discreet – wise.”
- Some also speculate that Pharaoh was placing the name of one of the Egyptian gods into his name, but that is not clear.
- Pharaoh does not seem to be intimidated by Joseph, but instead freely admits before all his servants how impressed he is and acknowledges that God’s spirit was in him.
- Joseph does as he counseled Pharaoh.
- During the years of plenty – 1/5th was more supply than could be numbered.
- Before Joseph turned 37 he had two sons who he named…
- Manasseh = causing to forget “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.”
- Ephraim = Double ash-heap: I will be doubly fruitful “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
- 7 years of Famine begin
- The character of Pharaoh is seen again…
- 1st the people cry out to him
- Presumably because they believed he would act for their benefit.
- 2nd Pharaoh directs them all to Joseph and doesn’t worry with micro-managing his decisions.
- Joseph made a profit – he SOLD the grain to the Egyptians.
- All the neighbouring nations (Syria, Arabia, Palestine, Canaan…etc) came to Joseph in Egypt to BUY food – so you can imagine Egypt is getting RICH!
- God is making future provision for His people upon their departure from Egypt 400+ years later.
- Prov. 13:22, “(22) A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.”
- 1st the people cry out to him
- The character of Pharaoh is seen again…
There is more information in the audio/video of the actual message. I hope you listen, learn and enjoy!
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