Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 10, 2019
“Who’s in Charge Here?” Genesis 41:1-57 Bible Study 02/10/19
As we focus this morning on Genesis 41, we find ourselves at a crucial turning-point or transition in the Joseph narrative. Following the dream of Genesis 37 and before its fulfillment in Genesis 45, we have a dream and its interpretation which result in Joseph’s elevation to power. There are three key characters in Genesis 41. First, there is the faithful servant, Joseph. Then, there is the potential antagonist, Pharaoh, who ends up quietly acquiescing to God’s sovereignty. The third, and most significant, character is the God Himself. This chapter shows clearly that He is completely in charge of the events that transpire. The good news for us is that He remains in complete control today.
1. Pharaoh Dreams 1-8
• after 2 years
• cows and grain
• troubled spirit and inability to interpret
2. Cupbearer Remembers 9-13
• imprisonment and dreams
• identification of Joseph
• accurate interpretation recalled
3. Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream 14-36
• Joseph is summoned
• Joseph acknowledges his God
• Pharaoh relates his dream
• 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine
• fixed by God
• Joseph’s wise counsel
4. Pharaoh Promotes Joseph 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
5. So What?
• Because God sovereignly controls the destinies of nations in order to protect and provide for His own people, declare His power and submit to His plan.
• “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)
• “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)
• Since God is in His place, our place is on our faces-awed, amazed, staggered and surrendered!
