GENESIS CHAPTER 41 ------------------ Verses 1-7, Pharaoh's two dreams, which are one. Verse 8, Pharaoh is troubled and the magicians are of no help. Verses 9-13, the butler recalls what Joseph had done for him while in the prison. Verses 14-24, Joseph is called for and is told of the dreams by Pharaoh. Verses 25-32, Joseph interprets the dreams for Pharaoh. Verses 33-36, Joseph's recommendation to Pharaoh. Verses 37-40, Pharaoh's response and trust in Joseph Verses 41-44, Joseph is exalted to be second behind Pharaoh, but he would be ruler in all Egypt as if he was Pharaoh. Verse 45, Pharaoh gives him a new name and a wife. Verse 46, Joseph was 30 years old when he began his public ministry, just as Christ was 30 years old. Verses 47-53, The seven years of plenty and Joseph's two sons which are born to him. Verses 54-57, The seven years of famine over all the face of the earth. Typical of the seven year tribulation period. A) Some lessons learned: 1) "The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." (Proverbs 21:1). God is Sovereign over all of creation, even Satan and his hosts. Pink says that it was no accident that Pharaoh dreamed what he did, that he dreamed it when he did, and I might add that it troubled his spirit to the degree that it did. It happened on God's timetable and not a moment too soon nor a moment too late. As one commentator said, "His finger was guiding all the springs of the vast machine of circumstances, and when the due time was come, he brought forth the man of His purpose, and set his feet in a large room. It is NOT that Satan had done one thing with Potiphar's wife, and then the Lord had to come up with plan "B." NO, God allowed Satan to put Joseph in prison through Potiphar's wife because it was his plan all along that Joseph be raised from the prison walls to a place of exaltation. When Joseph's brethren sold him into slavery, it was NOT something that caught God off guard, but rather on the contrary, it was an event purposed by him, nevertheless their sin was still theirs. This is precisely what Joseph told his brethren in chapter 50. Ge 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; [but] God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as [it is] this day, to save much people alive. They hated Joseph before they ever sold him and God used their own hatred to accomplish his purpose. Never was there such a demonstration of this as there was at calvary when the Lord was crucified, through the hatred that men had for Him. Ac 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 2) We see that the world's wisdom is foolishness with God. Egypt is a type of the world and the world's magicians had no answer for the King concerning his dreams, simply because the dreams were of the Lord and only the Lord knew the purpose of them. At the time of Joseph, Egypt was the center of learning and culture, but the greatest civilization on earth at the time could produce no answers. They had NOT the truth! The magicians were impotent, and the wise men displayed their ignorance. The world has it's science, and they look to it for the truth. Evolution and a "big bang" many say (not all), but the child of God has his word, and the world laughs at it. 3) The man of God was the only one that had true wisdom and light. Joseph declared that the answer was not from him but from God (vs 16). Ps 25:14 The SECRET of the LORD [is] with them that FEAR him; and he will shew them his covenant. These dreams that Pharaoh had were of a spiritual nature and they concerned future events which were shortly to occur. And here it was a lowly Jew in the midst of these Gentiles who had the answer of God. It is the lowly Jew, Jesus Christ, that the world must look to for its salvation. It would be good that our leaders would look to the Hebrew prophets, which are recorded in his word and complete, for the events which are to occur in the future rather than astrologers and the occult. 4) "That ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God, to them who are THE CALLED according to [his] purpose." (Romans 8:28) Joseph was sold into slavery at an early age, and he spent several years in the prison, and when he was brought forth and stood before Pharaoh, he was 30 years old. All of the evil events that happened to Joseph, and which happened over a period of years, when all hope may have been seen as lost, God was working all events for Joseph's good and for his glorious purpose. This is the hardest lesson for us to learn. While we know it doctrinally (although many do not), we do not know it experimentally. Our problem is that we grow so impatient while under the process. We become so occupied with the present circumstances that hope is no longer exercised as it should be. B) Concerning Joseph in particular: 1) Joseph, in due time was delivered from prison. Gen 41:14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him HASTILY out of the dungeon: and he shaved [himself], and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. {brought...: Heb. made him run} Perhaps this is typical of the resurrection of Christ from the grave. Ac 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 2) Joseph was delivered by the hand of God. Joseph speaking to his brethren: Gen 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now [it was] not you [that] sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. 3) Joseph is now seen as a revealer of secrets. Gen 41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of PEACE. Joh 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. Joseph showed to Pharaoh what God was about to do. Gen 41:25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh [is] one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he [is] about to do. ... 28 This [is] the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God [is] about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Compare: Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John: 4) Joseph warned of coming danger, and urged his hearers to make preparation for it. Again, he did not shun to declare the whole counsel of God. So too, Christ ceased not to warn men of the coming danger. he lifted the veil which hid the unseen and revealed to men the magnitude of hell and the suffering that is there, where there is gnashing of teeth and where their fire is not quenched and their worm dieth not. He also warned of a great tribulation period none like it on the earth. 5) Joseph appeared as the wonderful counselor. After Joseph gave the interpretation, he counselled the king to store up corn during the time of plenty. Christ too, is the "Wonderful Counsellor." Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Col 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ( Speaking of Christ. ) 6) Joseph's counsel commended itself to Pharaoh and his officers. He did not need to persuade them that it was the right thing to do. Gen 41:37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find [such a one] as this [is], a man in whom the Spirit of God [is]? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, [there is] none so discreet and wise as thou [art]: Compare: Mat 7:28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes. Mat 13:54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this WISDOM, and [these] mighty works? 7) Joseph was duly exalted, and set over all Egypt. Gen 41:39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, [there is] none so discreet and wise as thou [art]: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. Compare: 1Pe 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. 8) Joseph was seated on the throne of another. "Only in the throne will I be greater than thou." Gen 41:40 "And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had..." (Gen 41:43) So too, Christ is the second person of the Godhead. But just as Joseph wore Pharaoh's ring and he was Pharaoh mouth piece. It was as though he was Pharaoh himself. So too, Christ is the very image of God himself, and is very God, but in the throne he is the second person. Compare: Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father IN HIS throne. 9) Joseph was exalted to the throne because of his personnel worth. The public bows to Joseph. Gen 41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him [ruler] over all the land of Egypt. Philip 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; 11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 10) Joseph was invested with such insignia as became his new position. Gen 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his RING from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; Compare: Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, CROWNED WITH GLORY AND HONOUR; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 11) Joseph's authority and glory are publicly owned. They bowed the knee to Joseph. Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 12) Joseph received a new name from Pharaoh. Gen 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over [all] the land of Egypt. {Zaphnathpaaneah: which in the Coptic signifies, A revealer of secrets, or, The man to whom secrets are revealed} Zaphnath-paaneah = "treasury of the glorious rest" According to Pink it means "Saviour of the world." Compare: Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; 11 And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 13) Joseph has a wife given to him. Gen 41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over [all] the land of Egypt. Many have said that since this was a Gentile woman that it is typical of the Church whish is given to Christ. Pink thinks that it is more typical of the nation of Israel and the two sons are typical of the two nations which followed, Israel and Judah, and how one was forgotten and Judah produced Christ. 14) Joseph's marriage was arranged by Pharaoh. Compare: Mat 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 15) Joseph was 30 years old when he began his public work. Gen 41:46 And Joseph [was] thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Compare: Lu 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli, 16) Joseph went forth on a mission from Pharaoh's presence. Gen 41:46 ... And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Compare: Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 17) Joseph's service was an active and thorough one. Gen 41:46 ... And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and WENT THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND OF EGYPT. Compare: Mat 4:23 And Jesus went about ALL Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Mat 9:35 And Jesus went about ALL the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 18) Joseph's exaltation was followed by a season of plenty. READ Gen 41:47-49 "plenteous years" "by handfuls" "as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number." Perhaps this is typical of the Gospel dispensation. Only in the present dispensation have we seen the multitudes come to Christ. Joh 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and [then] cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. Re 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 19) Joseph's exaltation was also followed by a period of famine. Notice the words "very grievous" in vs 31. And in verse 30 "and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt." Jesus spoke of a "great tribulation" Mark 13:19 For [in] those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. 20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. Daniel spoke of it: Da 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. Jeremiah called it "Jacob's trouble" (30:7) Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. 20) Joseph is now seen dispensing bread to a perishing world. Gen 41:55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, GO UNTO JOSEPH; what he saith to you, do. The Jew is dispensing bread to a dying world. 21) Joseph alone dispensed the bread of life. Gen 41:55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, GO UNTO JOSEPH; what he saith to you, do. So too, ONLY in Christ can the bread of life be found. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 22) Joseph became a saviour to all peoples. Gen 41:57 And all countries came into Egypt TO JOSEPH for to buy [corn]; because that the famine was [so] sore in all lands. Compare: Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of EVERY KINDRED, and TONGUE, and PEOPLE, and NATION; 23) Joseph had unlimited resources to meet the needs of the people. Gen 41:49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for [it was] without number. Compare: Eph 2:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the RICHES of his grace; Eph 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the EXCEEDING RICHES of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Eph 2:4 But God, who is RICH IN MERCY, for his GREAT LOVE wherewith he loved us, 5* Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ 1Pe 1:3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his ABUNDANT MERCY hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Ro 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is RICH UNTO ALL that call upon him.