Lesson One: Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of the king. His trial had lasted 13 years. He started as a Prince of the Hebrews, became a slave and then a prisoner. First, we learn here that trials can be long in duration if that happens, learn the following things. During those years God was with Him. God will be with you during your trials and problems. Matt 28:20. You will never be alone. Next, Joseph was faithful. Be faithful to the Lord. Bloom where you are planted. Learn the lessons you have to learn. Have a positive attitude. Remember attitude is everything in the Kingdom of God. Joseph was successful first in Potiphar’s house and then in prison. If given a new task or responsibility during your trial do it to the best of your ability. Even during trials victory and success can be found. If fact you will grow the most as a person during the trials
Joseph went to work, traveled and all he said came true. When God says something it will happen. Trust the word God gives. Trust the Bible, claim its promises and do what it says. That is why we are studying the book of Revelation because it is more accurate than tomorrow’s newspaper.
During the times of abundance make sure you put aside resources for the times of famine because they will come. When you have a good job, save, save, save. Put money away for retirement. Get out of debt, have an emergency fund and be wise in vesting. Learn from the ant, mole, squirrel, woodpecker and crow. They know that winter is coming. It will not always be sunshine and warm. What you do in abundant times prepares you for famine and the winter seasons. Do the prep and you will not be caught unaware. Houses leak, cars breakdown, tickets come, jobs get lost, sickness and happens. Get ready as best you can.
There was seven years of abundance. In fact that there was so much it could not be measured. When the trial is over and you have learned from the trial. You will be promoted and God will pour into your situation so much you will not be able to contain it. Eph 3:30, says God will do more than you think or imagine. Talk about how Jerry Falwell’s church grew in one year over a thousand member. Larry Lea in his heyday had 180 people joining his church a week.
50 Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh[e] and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 The second son he named Ephraim[f] and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”
Lesson two; Joseph and Asenath have two children. What a privilege for this young lady. She would be the mother of two tribes. She was a person of destiny. She was a gentile who had the privilege of being grafted into the family of God. The first was named Manasseh. His name means, God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household. Joseph forgave his brothers, forgot what they did and moved on. When wrong you have to forgive, forget and move on. Joseph had learned, You need to change, God loves you too much to leave you the way you are. You can't control life but you can control yourself. When you go through life's challenges, you have the choice to either fall apart and become a victim of the circumstances, or you can rise up high and above others. Joseph use them as springboards for the better and more godly Man. You bring yourself to a healthy environment, build a support system, surround yourself with good influences. Get skills and improve. You can't change the way things are but you can change the way you look at things. You can become very strong person as you trust the Lord. You are your own worst enemy and your own best friend. Get the things out of your life that the Holy Spirit brings to your attention and allow the fruit of the Holy Spirit grow in you. While in these times Joseph learned who his real friends were. Lastly, Joseph and You realize what matters and what doesn't.
His second boy he called, Ephraim which means, God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering. Joseph knew that this was not his home. His true home was Canaan but he had learned that no matter where you are you can be fruitful. Church remember, this earth is not our home, we are passing through. We are pilgrims not settlers. You are looking for a city whose maker and builder is God but while we are here let’s make a fruitful life. Let us have purpose and direction. Live God’s dream and destiny. God will make you fruitful and your fruit will remain for the Christ our fruit should look like them. Gal 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Notice the first fruit is love and 1 Cor 13:4-8 tells us, love should look like this. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. Joseph was becoming the person God intended Him to be and you can as well.
53 The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. 55 When all Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.”
Lesson Three: The famine times come. Everything Joseph said came true. When God gives His word it shall come to pass. This is a mark of a prophet. God’s word can be trusted as I said before. Romans 3:4 states every man is a liar but the word of God is true. That is why you can stand, trust and live God’s word. Remember what you store up in the times of abundance will carry you through the times of famine. The ant, squirrel, mole, woodpecker and crow do this. What you learn in times of abundance will carry you through times of famine as well.
Notice there was famine in all the other lands. There was a then known world famine. This was setting the scene for another event that would bring Joseph past to a head long collision but that is another message in the future. Just a note here your past will sooner or later will be something you will have to face and it always happens during the times of famine. So remember that. God always does this so you can be truly healed and others can be as well. Never destroyed but restored.
Egypt had food but when the people’s resources ran out they came to the King and he sent them to Joseph. The King had such trust in Joseph. Can others trust you? Are you faithful at work, your marriage, family in life in general. Joseph had been. The Christian should have the following The 5 Characteristics of Trust: Integrity. Integrity means doing the right thing at all times and in all circumstances, whether or not anyone is watching. ... Honesty. “Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.” Consistency, same person in private as public, Intent, your motives and attitudes are right. Transparency, never afraid to be examine, open book, blameless and righteous before God and man.
56 When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. 57 And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.
Lesson Four: There was not a person or place that people did not feel the famine. It was severe and could have been devastating. So Joseph opened the storehouses. This is what happens when we are in times of famine. God will open his storehouses, resources and benefits to us. Joseph is a type of Christ and through Jesus Christ we have access to the throne of grace. We have all God’s riches at Christ expense. We have righteousness, pace and joy. He promises to give us exactly what we need in our time of need. Every perfect gift comes from the Father of above. Ask and you shall receive. You have not because you ask not. Prayer is the conduit and God’s word is the authority in which the promises of God flow.
Now all the whole known world came to Egypt to buy grain because the famine was severe. This will setup a series of events that will bring Joseph’s past face to face with Him. The reality is that you cannot escape your past sooner or later you have to deal with it. Confessing, repenting, and asking for forgiveness, receive forgiveness from God and forgive yourself. We get a new heart and a new mind. our entire attitude of mind changes. Even though you are still tempted, you have a new heart and mind that God has given you, and your desire now is only for the good. Instead of pursuing your old habits and interests, your interest is in the kingdom of heaven and you seek the things which are above with Christ. Remember you cannot do anything about the past but you can do something about your today and each moment you live. We move forward on the new and living way, striving for a life in Christ. Your love for Jesus and your gratitude for all that He has done for you drive you to follow Him as a true disciple. (Luke 9:23) Discouragement, laziness, hopelessness and the like have no place in your heart because you believe what God’s Word says. You have put the past firmly behind you, no matter what Satan may try to tell you, and the future is full of hope and faith. So when you face your past you face it in the Lord which Joseph will. Close with one of the greatest stories of restoration in the Bible and that is of John Mark. Also We will look at this and other things in two weeks because next week I am going to teach on being thankful.
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