Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

We return to our study in the life of Joseph. We last found him in an Egyptian prisoner, the recipient of the vengeance of a scorned woman - Potiphar's wife. Falsely imprisoned, yet we do not find him just moping around. The Bible makes it very clear that God was with him in the prison, and the events, recorded in Genesis 40, bear that out.

Genesis 40

Key Words: "interpretation of dreams"; "dreams"

Key Verse: Verse 8 shares Joseph's display of humility as he recognizes that only God is capable of sharing the interpretation of dreams.

Purpose Statement: This chapter records another step toward the throne for Joseph (we can realize that because we have seen the complete picture), but for Joseph it is another disappointment.

Outline: Joseph in Prison and Interpreting Dreams

I. The cupbearer and baker are imprisoned (vs. 1-4)
II. Their dreams (vs. 5-19)
III. Their fulfillment (vs. 20-23)

Thoughts to Ponder: "He forgot him." What sad words! What convicting words! How soon we forget. Our hearts are touched by a missionary speaker and we promise to pray for them. Yet, days after the missionary leaves, we forget to pray. We make promises in moments of crisis, and once the crisis has passed life resumes and we forget. There is just too much of the cupbearer in us. Lord, help me to not only remember my promises, but with Your help, allow me to fulfill what I have promised.

Is there a meaning to everyone's dreams? The baker and the cupbearer thought that there was. Yet Joseph recognized that any probable interpretation belonged solely to God. I think Joseph understood that God often communicated His will through dreams. He had probably heard his father's story of the dream he had at Bethel as well as his own dreams that had led to his imprisonment now in Egypt. Praise God for the power of His Word so that we do not need to rely upon dreams.

Genesis 41

Key Words: "God will give"; "God has revealed"; "God has shown"; "God will do"; "God has made"

Key Verse: Verse 16 relates that Joseph did not take any credit for himself.

Purpose Statement: This chapter chronicles the final step in Joseph's reaching the throne. Now we know why Joseph was forgotten in prison. It was not time (God's time) for his release. Now the time is ripe for Joseph to minister to Israel.

Outline: Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams

I. Pharaoh's dreams (vs. 1-7)
II. Cupbearer remembers Joseph (vs. 8-13)
III. Joseph before Pharaoh (vs. 14-40)
A. Joseph gives credit for power of interpretation to God (vs. 14-16)
B. Pharaoh relates his dreams (vs. 17-24)
C. Joseph's interpretation (vs. 25-36)
D. Joseph put in charge of the project (vs. 37-40)
IV. Joseph elevated by Pharaoh (vs. 41-45)
V. Joseph's action in regard to the project (vs. 46-49)
VI. Joseph's family (vs. 50-52)
VII. The famine is worldwide (vs. 53-57)

Questions to Probe: I wonder if Joseph ever grumbled while he languished in jail for those two years, or if he remained faithful to his work there? After his promotion, I wonder if Joseph ever felt like saying, "Ah, now my brothers will pay! The dreams have come true!"

Thoughts to Ponder: "I cannot do it...but God...." Joseph's statement is not very twentieth century-like. We live in an age of radical individualism: I can do it myself. We have worshiped the god of self-esteem to the point where we feel we do not need any help from anyone, certainly not from God. Yet Joseph, as successful as he had been in the past in interpreting dreams, realized that he could not help Pharaoh, but God could. I cannot preach that sermon, but God can through me. I cannot counsel that couple whose marriage is falling apart, but God can through me. I cannot give encouragement to that family whose home has been shattered by the death of a child, but God can through me. I can't...but God can. Those are not demeaning words. Really those are the only words that bring success.

God not only revealed the dream's meaning to Joseph but also the way to respond to its meaning. For those two years Joseph was in prison, he could have moped around feeling sorry for himself like I might have done. But I think Joseph was cultivating his relationship with God during that time. God used those two years to prepare Joseph for the position of power and influence he would hold for the rest of his life. The prison years prepare us for the throne years.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it. (Buddy Robinson)

Genesis 39 Return to Table of Contents Genesis 42