Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 12, 2024

Livin’ the Dream

Genesis 41:1-57

1. Background

• following Joseph’s “prison ministry” (40:1-23)
• forgotten by man but remembered by God
• two years later…

2. Pharaoh’s Dreams 1-8

• cows and grain
• troubled spirit and inability to interpret

3. Cupbearer’s Remembrance 9-13

• imprisonment and dreams
• identification of Joseph and recollection of accurate interpretation

4. Joseph’s Interpretation of Dreams 14-36

• Joseph is summoned and acknowledges his God
• Pharaoh relates his dreams
• 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine
• fixed by God
• Joseph’s wise counsel

5. Joseph’s Elevation 37-57

• recognition of Joseph’s giftedness
• endowed with authority: “God speaks and lives”
• administrates grain storage at age 30
• births of Manasseh and Ephraim
• all the earth comes to Egypt and Joseph

6. So What?

• Because God sovereignly directs the destinies of nations in order to protect and provide for His own people, declare His power and depend on it.
• “He who is aware of God is humble and fearless at the same time. Even a king is nothing compared to God” (A. Ross) (Prov. 21:1)
• “Joseph acts out of confidence in the character of God.” (B. Waltke)
• connection to Christ: Heb. 12:1-3
• “Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds ye so much dread are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head. Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.” (W. Cowper)