Focus Chapters:
- Genesis 40
- Genesis 35:28-29
- Genesis 41
Standout Verse(s):
THE ACTION
Genesis 40:5 NLT
While they were in prison, Pharaoh’s cup-bearer and baker each had a dream one night, and each dream had its own meaning.
Genesis 41:15 NLT
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.”
THE REACTION
Genesis 40:8 NLT
And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.”
“Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.”
Genesis 41:16 NLT
“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”
Observation (s):
- Joseph was humble before the chief baker, chief cup-bearer and Pharaoh. The tone of his response before these two audiences did not differ or waver. He dealt equally with all men.
“Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.”
“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”
- Joseph immediately dissuaded men from believing that he could interpret dreams by his power. He readily and firstly attributed that power to God, making it clear who was in responsible for any results that should come forth. From there, we went on to offer his help. By doing so, he made himself readily available to be used by God.
Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.”
“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”
Application:
“Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Can you imagine if Joseph had puffed himself up before Pharaoh and his subjects? I surmised his story would have ended quite differently. We are called to treat all men equally. This is a tall order but it is vital.
Joseph’s willingness to acknowledge God and His authority and power in the midst of his moment is quite commendable. I imagined that had I been in a similar situation, called before a king and his court, I might have been tempted to focus on me and my gift and forget to mention God, totally. Like Joseph, keep God at the forefront. Putting God at the forefront of our lives means that we are available to Him. The advantage of our availability is that God is more than willing and able to use us to accomplish great wonders!
We all know how Joseph’s story ends. He became the second highest-ranking official in all of Egypt. His circumstances changed because he provided God with an open, humble and willing vessel!
