The Practical Redemption Of Man

The Life Of Joseph, Session #5- The Redemption Of A Man’s Relationships

Intro.

- We left Joseph last week in what must have seemed to him, a complete confusion. He had helped Pharaoh’s chief butler with the interpretation of a troubling dream.

- He had asked the chief butler to remember him when he returned to Pharaoh’s court, which he did 3 days later.

- At the end of chapter 40, we learn that the butler forgot Joseph all together.

- From that point to chapter 41, there is a two year span of time.

- There must have been much hopelessness and bewilderment in the heart of Joseph.

- And then one day, out of the blue, God’s plan, like a seed in the ground, is about to bring forth visible life, for Pharaoh is about to have two very disturbing dreams.

• Genesis 41:8 : “Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.”

- Like every crisis for powerful men, the whole house was in a stir, including the chief butler.

• Genesis 41:9-14 : “Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: "I remember my faults this day. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.’ Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.”

- A miracle has occurred! The Pharaoh himself has urgently brought Joseph, a Hebrew slave, out of the dungeon!

- Who could have predicted that!? That seems to always be the way it happens in our lives.

- Our situation turns and we are stunned at how quickly God did it, even though we might have been waiting for a long time previously.

• Genesis 41:15,16 : “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.’ So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.’”

- Here is a chance for Joseph to turn on the charm and say, “Well, you know, I do have a certain knack for interpretation.” Instead, Joseph declares that God will give an answer. He speaks to Pharaoh, who in Egyptian theology, is "god on Earth," and tells him that His God is going to bring this to pass.

- Pharaoh goes on to tell the dream of the cows and the grain heads, Joseph explaining that God has warned the Pharaoh of a certain, impending famine of great severity.

- Look with me quickly over verse 25-32. 3 times, Joseph makes it clear that this is ordained by His God and that His God is going to bring it to pass.

- Joseph then goes from the problem to the solution.

- The solution involves an aggressive management program of all the crops of Egypt for the first 7 years of plenty, prior to the years of nothing.

- His presentation ends with an appeal for a manager to handle the incoming crops.

- As you have already read and know, the Pharaoh appoints Joseph, changes his name, gives him full authority and a wife. Joseph has two kids and builds storehouses in every Egyptian city.

- And just as Joseph had interpreted, God allowed a severe famine to come over all lands.

• Genesis 41:54-57 : “and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, ‘Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.’ The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.”

- As we come to the close of this chapter, I want us to understand something here.

- God’s goal in the Earth is to bring glory to himself through our lives and our goal is to testify of His reality and His glory on this Earth. Let’s examine providence from 3 perspectives. What is God trying to bring to pass to bring glory to Himself?

I. In The Life Of Joseph : Faithfulness

II. In The Life Of The Butler : Repentance

III. In The Life Of The Pharaoh : Humility

Text

I. In The Life Of Joseph : Faithfulness

- Joseph, from the beginning to this section here, has been a faithful man.

- The word “faithful” refers to reliability and consistency.

- Joseph has been a reliable man to the world around him.

- Every where he went, he demonstrated responsibility, was promoted above his peers and it was noted that the favor of God was upon him.

- To the world, Joseph was reliable; To the Lord, Joseph was consistent.

- Joseph consistently testified of God’s presence with him.

- Joseph feared the Lord when nobody else would have questioned his activity.

- All of this was in the midst of Joseph’s sufferings.

- What we have watched from chapter 37 to the present chapter, is a man under duress, in a foreign land, away from his God fearing family.

- God had used the circumstances to bring Joseph out as fine gold and because he was a faithful steward over a few things, we now see God making him rule over many things.

- For the life of the believer, God’s providential storms and circumstances are working out faithfulness in our lives.

- Looking ahead to the New Testament, Paul understood the value of fidelity.

• II Timothy 2:1,2 : “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

- Paul uses the term “faithful” about 27 times in his writings and normally uses it to describe someone deserving of honor or trust.

- God puts a premium on this characteristic and we would be wise to be men who are found faithful with what God has given to us.

- We do not have to concern ourselves with what others are doing. God is calling us to be reliable with our talents and consistent in our testimony.

- Every one of us has a place to be consistent with our witness. Our neighbors, family, clientele, etc. are

II. In The Life Of The Butler : Repentance

- As we look at the chief butler, we are struck with how men can be often struck with the same truth over and over again, and still miss the point.

- The butler makes an interesting statement to the Pharaoh.

• Genesis 41:9 : “Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: "I remember my faults this day.”

- It really struck me how for 2 years, the Chief Butler went back to business as usual, having navigated through the very difficult circumstance of being imprisoned.

- It may have been that he intended to tell the Pharaoh what had happened.

- In fact, I will say that he likely was very excited to tell of what God had done on his behalf.

- But then he got back around his old life and saw again the greatness of Pharaoh and the beauty of the palace, he got caught up.

- He forgot about his experience with God’s man and how much comfort God had given him through Joseph.

- God’s providence has brought the chief butler full circle and He says to him, “Remember me? Do you have time for me now!?”

- I admit that I am taking a tiny bit of liberty here. But God is interested the chief butlers of the world, men who he has invested in, men with whom He has wrestled and delivered, doing all so that they might turn to Him and repent.

- Jesus tells us that God allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. His blessings extend to all men.

- But it seems that God works especially hard on some men.

- He is calling the chief butler to remember and repent, turn his life over to this good and gracious God.

- Most of us think that repentance as a turn from radical horrific sin. True. But there is another sense that repentance also involves our turning from good to better.

- I believe that there might be a corollary for us to hold onto.

- Has God been hammering you about something, maybe over the years, that you have ignored or forgotten? The crisis has passed, the cloud has lifted, but your word remains.

- Need He remind you again and have you say, “I remember my faults this day!”

- Maybe it’s a vow that you made in a foxhole. Maybe it’s a family relationship that God has given you vision to restore. If so, remember today.

III. In The Life Of The Pharaoh : Humility

- Finally, as we come to Pharaoh, we consider that God’s providence is leading Him to humility.

- Everyone needs God, and God is interested in everyone, be it the simple slave boy or the king on his earthly throne.

- Here Pharaoh has come to understand that he is not sufficient to handle this deep crisis.

- God has gotten a hold of him, even in the guarded chambers of his palatial estate, beyond the gardens and the military presence.

- And what does God want to effect? A man who despite his power, is powerless against the hand of God’s decree.

- I am interested in doing a study on the various Pharaoh’s of the Bible. This one is very willing to listen and is most responsive to what is revealed to him.

• Genesis 41:37-39 : “So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.”

- Here is a man who has been touched by the Lord and responded rightly to God’s revelation.

- He is willing to humble himself under God’s hand and receive the full benefit that God wants to give him.

- I am pretty sure that we’ll see him in heaven.

Conclusion

- As we close this chapter, we would be wise to remember these points.

- First, God Is Providentially Doing More Than You Think. A statement like, “What is God doing with me?” shows a limited view of God’s program. You might be a Joseph in the life of a Pharaoh. Be faithful where you are.

- Second, God Is Acting To Draw All Men To Himself. Pharaohs, Chief Butlers, mechanics, judges, lawyers. God’s providential acts are produced from His great heart toward the world. Be ready to testify.

- Finally, third, God Is Directing Human History So That He Might Be Glorified. It all ends at the station titled: All For The Glory Of God. His reputation. His fame. His Name, lifted high and magnified.