The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (Jn 3:16). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Christians understand that God is sovereign over all that happens. In our story today we see the sovereignty of God in the life of Joseph as we look at Genesis 41:1-39.
Summary of passage: Two years after Joseph interpreted the cupbearer and the baker’s dreams, Pharaoh had a dream where 7 cows emerged from the Nile River that were fat and then 7 gaunt cows emerged from the Nile and ate up the fat cows. He had a second dream where 7 heads of healthy grain grew on a stalk. After them 7 thin grains sprouted and ate up the healthy grains.
No one could interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. At this point the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh how he had successfully interpreted their dreams. Pharaoh sent for Joseph and after cleaning up, he was presented to him. Pharaoh told Joseph he had heard he could interpret dreams. Joseph immediately said he couldn’t but God could.
Pharaoh repeated his dreams to Joseph who told Pharaoh that God had revealed to him what He was about to do. The 7 good cows and the 7 good grains represent 7 years and the 7 lean cows and 7 worthless grain are 7 years as well. They represent 7 years of good crops and then 7 years of famine. God gave Pharaoh the dreams for the matter has been firmly decided by God and it will happen soon.
Joseph told Pharaoh to look for a discerning and wise man to be in charge of the land of Egypt. Take a fifth of Egypt’s harvest during the good years and store up the grain for the bad years so that the country will not be ruined by the famine.Pharaoh appoints Joseph as this man who is discerning and wise and Godly to be second in command of Egypt and in charge of all the land.
In the midst of all that takes place in our life and in the world God is sovereign? The sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God’s rule and control, and nothing happens without His direction and permission. Psalm 135:6 says, “ The Lord does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths.“
Just think about all the things in our story where we see the hand of the Lord.
- The Lord is the giver of dreams…He gave dreams to the Chief cup-bearer and the baker and today in our text he gives God dreams to the Pharaoh.
- It says in Genesis 41:8 that the Pharaoh’s mind was troubled.
- God places the chief cup bearer in proximity to Pharaoh who tells him about Joseph who interpreted his dream two years earlier correctly.
- Pharaoh sends for Joseph.
- Joseph points to God saying that the Lord will provide the answer to he desires and God works through Joseph and gives him the proper interpretation.
- The Pharaoh believes Joseph. Because Joseph has shown such great wisdom, he places him in charge of gathering grain during the good times to prepare for the coming famine.
Do you see the hand of God in the life of Joseph? Do you see how all the crazy happenings in Joseph’s life bring about the plans of the Lord? Even Joseph at this time has no idea what God is doing. We live in a very crazy time in world history. The world seems out of control and we may ask God to please help me, help my family, and help our nation. Lord, bring revival and save our nation. But in the midst of all of this, God is at work and God is accomplishing His will.
Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead. The Lord has already defeated sin, death and the devil upon the cross at Calvary. The Bible tells us that Jesus is coming again and in the book of Revelation it tells us it is going to get a lot worse before He comes. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
There may be times in your life that you feel like it is upside down. While it is easy to look at Joseph’s life in totality, he lived his life one day at a time just like we do.
In God’s sovereignty He gave you life. In God’s sovereignty He called you to faith. In God’s sovereignty there will come a day when the Lord will call you home. As we conclude our devotion today let me say this God’s sovereignty gives me hope and I have to trust the Lord when I don’t understand what is going on in my life or the world.
Listen to our podcast to hear more about the story of Joseph. https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/journey-with-joseph/released
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ps 135:6). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jn 16:32–33). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.