Review of Genesis 41

— by Victor Fawole

From pit to pinnacle… From prison to palace… From poverty to prosperity… From slavery to supremacy… Welcome to one of the most encouraging and memorable chapters in the Bible. For 13 long years, Joseph had suffered as a slave and as a prisoner. In all of these, God was building him up. He thought the chief butler could facilitate his release from the prison, but two years had gone with no hope of freedom. Yet, Joseph’s faith never faded. He had become a radically God-centred man. He made God the centre of his focus. At last, Joseph was ready for the great work of his life. Then God – the Master Baker – decided to bring his plans to the scene. Let us review…

1. WARNING: Trouble Looms!

Gen. 41:1,8 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river… And 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 the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

God has his way of unsettling the minds of kings in order to elevate His people. He did it with Pharaoh here, to elevate Joseph. He did it with Nebuchadnezzar to elevate Daniel and his friends. He did it with Ahaseurus, to elevate Mordecai and save the Jews. And yes, God still does the same today!

Pharaoh saw two dreams and everything about him “scattered”. His spirit was troubled! Deep down in his spirit, he knew that there was something important about his dreams. None of his trained, experienced and expert magicians could interpret the dreams. The interpretation belonged to God (Gen. 40:8), and He didn’t give that knowledge to the Pharaoh’s magicians. The chief butler remembered his forgotten promise to Joseph and realised his faults.

Let us consider how he introduced Joseph to the king in verse 12:

  • His Age: a young man
  • His Ancestry: an Hebrew
  • His Affairs: servant to the captain of the guard

But then, his story was about to change! His CV was about to be rebranded! The king looked up to Joseph as the solution provider, but Joseph responded with his usual “Yet Not I!” disposition (Gen. 41:16). Pharaoh’s statement was a golden opportunity for Joseph to glorify himself, but he didn’t. Rather, he glorified God.

Without applying for a job, Joseph’s recommended qualifications matched his own. The king saw that! God had prepared him as a leader, shepherd, and administrator – both in Potiphar’s house and prison. Joseph demonstrated timeless wisdom that has helped businesses empires across many centuries. Talk of problem interpretation, problem analysis and problem solving… Joseph was on point!

I love his recommendations:

  • Restructuring the federal ministries of agriculture, economic planning and budget in order to maximise productivity.
  • Recalibrating the focus of everyone to help them understand the vision and their roles in it.
  • Releasing new economic policies and processes (especially on taxation) for the next seven years to ensure optimal food security and wealth creation.
  • Recruiting the right persons to be in charge of the new structure and execute the new policies.

Wow!

What are the insights that we can draw from Joseph’s interpretations?

Joseph warned that Egypt would faced a seven-year tribulation, to be preceded by seven years of abundance. There is a future seven-year Great Tribulation that will bring tragedies across the entire world. Learn more about this in Pastor Dammy’s sermon titled: Let’s Talk About Heaven Part 7 — Which Heaven Is Next?

2. PROMOTION COMES FROM THE LORD!

Gen. 41:41-43 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 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; 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.

Notice the:

  • Pictures of Royalty: signet ring, garments of fine linen, and gold necklace
  • Parade of Royalty: he had him ride in his second chariot…
  • Power of Royalty: 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.

Joseph once wore the shackles of a prisoner, but now he wore the signet ring of Pharaoh. He once wore rags of a slave, but now he wore garments of fine linen. The man whose robe was stripped off him twice, now wore royal apparels. He once wore the chains of a slave, but now he was adorned with a gold chain. He once walked as a slave, now he moved in style and great affluence. He was once obeying orders only, but now he would be giving orders.

These are our realities as children of God. In Christ, we are given authority (over demons), apparel (of righteousness), adornment (of glory), and affluence (for spreading the gospel).

Before I round up this review, permit me to draw more parallels between Joseph and Jesus:

  • At age 30, Joseph got a public affirmation from King Pharaoh (Gen. 41:39-40). At age 30, Jesus got a public affirmation from God. (Matt. 3:17)
  • Like Joseph, Jesus remained faithful and obedient to God, even to the point of death on the cross. (Phil. 2:8).
  • Like Joseph, Jesus was exalted to a position of power and authority. (Phil. 2:9-11)
  • Like Joseph, Jesus was numbered with the offenders. (Mark 15:27-28)
  • Joseph provided food and sustenance for Egypt during a season of famine. Jesus is the Bread of Life for the world (John 6:35).
  • Joseph had the wisdom of God. Jesus is the wisdom of God (1Cor. 1:30).
  • Joseph provided for the future. Jesus provides for the eternal future of believers (John 10:28, 1Pet. 1:3-5).
  • Joseph’s rise to power ultimately led to the redemption of his family and the salvation of many lives. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection grant redemption and salvation for the world (Rom. 5:8-11).
  • Joseph felt forgotten by the chief butler. Jesus felt forsaken by His Father (Matt. 27:45-50)

Dear Gogolights, Joseph’s story proved that “overnight” success is an illusion. His journey from the pit to the peak took 13 years of hard labour and injustice. However, our God is more than willing and able to promote us in life, even to the top we could ever imagine. Hence, let us always remember that:

  • Promotion is from the Lord (Psa. 75:6-7).
  • Promotion is not to be lived without the Lord (Luke 12:16–21).

These will help us maintain the “Yet Not I” posture whenever we begin to see the hand of God working breakthroughs for us in life. I recommend that we listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of our series tagged “Yet Not I!”

Grace to you, Church!

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