Boyd's Commentary. R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation

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СКАЧАТЬ man in whom the Spirit of God is? 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find anyone else like this—one in whom is the spirit of God?” 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 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. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” • • • • • • • • • • • • 50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. 50 Before the years of famine came, Joseph had two sons, whom Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. 51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. 51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” 52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. 52 The second he named Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my misfortunes.”

      MAIN THOUGHT: And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 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. (Genesis 41:39–40, KJV)

       LESSON SETTING

       Time: Unknown

       Place: Egypt

       LESSON OUTLINE

       I. Facing Pharaoh (Genesis 41:25–33)

       II. The Power of a Dream (Genesis 41:37–40)

       III. Using Family to Heal Fractures (Genesis 41:50–52)

      UNIFYING PRINCIPLE

      It may be difficult to hold on to dreams of future success when faced with extreme hardships. What inner resources are needed to continue one’s quest for success? Because Joseph loved and obeyed God, he was able to engage in wise and discerning problem-solving that motivated Pharaoh to appoint him second-in-command over all of Egypt.

      INTRODUCTION

      Family difficulties caused by factors outside of the family, such as sickness, economic failure, or global pandemic that arise naturally, can be challenging to cope with. But when family challenges are caused by and are the symptoms of self-inflicted wounds, the ability to cope may feel like an impossible feat. Truthfully, some of the most egregious offenses we encounter in our lives will be orchestrated, if not perpetrated, by family members who claim to love us. When this is a reality, a person may be inclined to ask the Lord, “Why would You allow me to be born into this family?” And His answer: “Because it’s necessary to bring out in you what you were made to become in Me.”

      Just as the character of a plant is determined by the soil in which it grows, so it is with us. Regardless of the condition of the soil from which we are both planted in and grow out of, the composition of our family environment helps determine the shape of our character. The hurt and pain we endure from the family, though difficult to bear, are a part of what God allows to strengthen our resolve in Him.

      There is no clearer example of this in the Bible than the life of Joseph—after he was sold into slavery by his brothers. From the time the Midianite traders took him into custody, Joseph was saddled with an ever-growing bitterness for his brothers. (Can you blame him?) The trauma of being forcefully separated from your family by those who claim to love you is pretty hard to fathom, let alone forgive.

      What’s worse is that this same unfair treatment became a common theme throughout Joseph’s experience in Egypt. He was falsely accused of raping Potiphar’s wife, which resulted in his imprisonment. After interpreting the dream of the chief cupbearer of his imminent restoration to position, he was forgotten for two years by that same cupbearer to whom he gave hope. So, at the time of today’s lesson, Joseph was in prison. And yet, God was still with him. After the baker finally told Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who Joseph was and what he could do, the king summoned him from prison to interpret a puzzling dream he had. Joseph’s life was about to change. While his dreams in the beginning of the narrative led to his imprisonment, his interpretation of dreams at the end led to his empowerment. Sometimes our worst experiences can be the seeds that bring the most favorable outcomes in the long run.

      EXPOSITION

       I. FACING PHARAOH (GENESIS 41:25–33)

      Joseph responded to Pharaoh’s request to interpret both of his dreams by explaining the two were one in meaning. God gave Pharaoh two different dreams with the same message to emphasize the importance of the message the dreams conveyed. According to Joseph, they were a forecast of what God was about to do for and in Egypt. In Pharaoh’s first dream, there were two sets of seven cows. The first set was healthy and fat, while the second set was bony and skinny. In his dream, the cows from the second set ate the fat cows from the first and yet were still bony and skinny. Being awakened by the confusion of the dream, he later went back to sleep and dreamed again. The second dream was similar to the first, only it was with grain instead of cows. Seven heads of grain full and plenty were swallowed up by seven ears of withered corn that sprouted later.

      Joseph stated the two dreams meant God had decided they would happen soon. This reminds the reader of Joseph’s double dreams at the beginning of the narrative. His dreams would come to pass. All that was left to determine was when and how they would be fulfilled.

      According to Joseph, the seven good cows and seven full heads of grain typified seven years of great plenty and economic prosperity that Egypt soon would enjoy. However, this seven-year period of plenty immediately would be followed by seven years of extreme famine, symbolized in the dream by the seven thin and ugly cows and the seven empty heads of grain. The devouring of the fat cows and healthy grain by thin and ugly ones СКАЧАТЬ