Bible Study: Genesis Chapters 40

A Picture of the Omniscient God And the Lowliness of Christ

Prayer:

            Heavenly Father, I marvel at Your word. As we watch the end-time prophecies unfold before us, my faith grows stronger. I am encouraged to pray—Come, LORD Jesus.

Introduction:

             When my father served in World War II, a fortune-teller told him he would live to the age of 83 years. I’m certain this was a comfort to a twenty-three year-old soldier who watched his buddies fall at the hands of the enemy. Nevertheless 60 years later, my father struggled with the prediction to the point of constantly reminding us that he had only a short time to live. That was four years ago.  

            Like 95% of the predictions made by psychics, the one made about my father failed for one reason—God was not the source of information.

 The Lesson

            Joseph knew the Interpreter of dreams and visions. Even though he hadn’t yet seen his dreams fulfilled, Joseph trusted God to answer his request for his fellow inmates.

            After Joseph had been in prison for some time, Pharaoh’s cupbearer and his baker offended the king of Egypt and he had them incarcerated. The captain of the guard placed them in Joseph’s hands. Verse 4 tells us that Joseph served them.

            Joseph’s position as servant is a portrait of Christ.

            1) Joseph left his homeland where Almighty God had promised to make him ruler over his brothers. Jesus also left His homeland, heaven, where God had promised to make Him ruler over all nations. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (John 1:1a and 1:14a). The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all (Psalm 103:19). Although we are making a comparison here, keep in mind that Joseph did NOT choose his own path, but Jesus did!

            2) While in a foreign land, Joseph lived a lowly life as servant to all and did not consider it beneath him to do so. While on earth, Jesus lived a lowly life as servant to all and did not consider it beneath him to do so--Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (Philippians 2:5-7).

            3) At the appropriate time, God fulfilled His promise to Joseph making him ruler over, not only his brothers, but over all Egypt second in command to Pharaoh. Likewise, God will fulfill His promise to His Son—Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11)

            As Joseph served Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker, he noticed their countenance had changed. They explained to him that they each had had a puzzling dream. Through their dreams, God demonstrated His infinite wisdom. Joseph never hesitated to give God the glory and honor for the interpretations (verses 5-8). The fulfillment of the interpretations must have reassured Joseph about his own dreams. However, the possibility of becoming a ruler couldn’t have seemed further from Joseph’s grasp. Had he subscribed to the conceive-it-achieve-it regimen of today, Joseph would have planned a completely different format to accomplish his goals. No one ever included slavery and imprisonment as part of a blueprint for building a desirable future.

Conclusion and Challenge

            For many Americans, the name-it-and-claim-it philosophy is losing its glitter. Like Joseph, we are learning that we are not in complete control of our own destiny; and while we put our trust in God, His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.

            We can serve the LORD in troubled times, as Joseph did. If we have lost our jobs yet employ integrity, if we have lost our homes yet maintain our faith, if we have lost our health yet rejoice in our hope of eternal life, we are successful in God’s sight. In due season, He will lift us up to be rulers over the world as He did Joseph. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).

            God has a plan for each of us. Where He takes us to achieve His goals might astound us and even frustrate us. Nevertheless, we can trust in His promises and His prophecies. Whether the prophecy is short term as it was for Pharaoh’s servants or if it is 2000 years in the making, God knows all things and keeps all his promises.

God knows the beginning from the end! Amen!