Joseph(4) : Dream interpretation

Yoshinobu Namihira, MD3000 halls ferry road Vicksburg MS 39180

phone 601 638 9800, fax 601 638 9808, e mail:

namihira@vicksburg.com

Sermon details

• Opening hymn: 206 face to face• Scripture reading: Genesis 41:16• Special music: the namihira’s • Sermon: Joseph ,part #4, dream

interpretation • Closing hymn: 516 until then

Genesis 40:1-4• It came to pass after these things that the butler

and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. So he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison, the place where Joseph was confined.

And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them; so they were in custody for a while

JOSEPH • Three persons on the stage• The butler • The baker• Joseph

Jesus• Three persons on the cross• Criminal #1• Jesus • Criminal #2

Genesis 40:8

• Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.”

• Joseph offered his talent of dream interpretation with humble attitude.

• Daniel interpreted dream for King Nebuchadnezzar with humble attitude.

• “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please.” Gen 40:8

• there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Dan 2:28

Take home point

• Neither Joseph nor Daniel tool credit for himself. • They did not have a mindset of “ behold , I did it !”• They did not boast of the ability of dream

interpretation .• They are not proud.• They performed the duty ( dream interpretation

project ) with humble attitude. !• They did not ask for fee ( money ) for the service.• They did it , completely free of charge.

Chief butler’s dream Gen 40:9

• “Behold, in my dream a vine was before me, and in the vine were three branches; it was as though it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and its clusters brought forth ripe grapes. Then Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.”

Interpretation Gen 40:12

• “This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days. Now within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your place, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand according to the former manner, when you were his butler. But remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house. For indeed I was stolen away from the land of the Hebrews; and also I have done nothing here that they should put me into the dungeon.”

Chief Baker’s dream Gen 40:16

• there were three white baskets on my head. In the uppermost basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.”

Dream interpretation Gen 40:18

• The three baskets are three days. Within three days Pharaoh will lift off your head from you and hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from you.”

Genesis 40:20-23

• Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

Pharaoh’s dream #1 Gen 41:1-4

• behold, he stood by the river. Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ugly and gaunt, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river. And the ugly and gaunt cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.

Two cows

•7 cows •Fine looking

•Fat

•7 cows•Ugly•gaunt

Pharaoh’s dream #2 Gen 41:

• seven heads of grain came up on one stalk, plump and good. Then behold, seven thin heads, blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. And the seven thin heads devoured the seven plump and full heads. So Pharaoh awoke, and indeed, it was a dream. Now it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. And Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.

Chief Baker’s reply ,Genesis 40:20-23

• “I remember my faults this day. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard.(Joseph). And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”

Genesis 41:14-15

• Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.”

Joseph’s reply Gen 41:16

•“It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Humble attitude

Godme

• Joseph• Was mistreated by his brothers Gen 37:19• Coat of many colors, Jocob’s favorite among his sons. Joseph

in the heart of Jacob ;Gen 37:3• Was sold to Egypt for slavery by his own brothers• The selling price of Joseph to the Ishmaellite =20 shekels of

sliver ($2,560)

• Jesus• Was mistreated by Jews and eventually killed;mat 27:35• God’s most favorite in heaven, Jesus in the heart of the

Father.• Was betrayed by his own disciple (Judah Iscariot) to Jews ;

mat 26:14-16• The betraying price of Jesus by Judah =30 pieces of

siiver=$3,840 ;mat 26:15

• Blood stained garment of Joseph to Jacob , the father to signify the death of Joseph Heir of the wealthy family; Gen 37:31

• Many temptations by Egyptian woman , but no record of sinning against God’s principle ;Gen 39:9

• Among two individuals , a baker and a butler. the baker died, the butler lived ;”remember me when it is well with you .make mention of me” ;Gen 40:14

• Blood stain of Jesus on the cross and blood stain garment left here on earth ;mat 27 :35

• King of the kings. Heir of god head, household in heaven, Jesus , god head

• Jesus was tempted by Satan to sin but to no avail. No record of sinning against God ; mat 4:4”it is written”

• Jesus between the two individuals, thieves. One thief- dead, the other thief- saved , believing in Jesus. ;luke23:42;mat 27:38

• Arose from prison to palace in one day ;Gen 41:14• Joseph instrumental for bringing Jacob and his family ( Israel )

at the time of famine to Egypt and get them out of slavery at Egypt to Canaan , (-)=(+)= (-)=(+) ;Gen 46:1-34

• Arose from death to life in one day Jesus ;mat 28:1• instrumental in bringing God’s people from the slavery to sin

to salvation , eternal life . (-)=(+); John 3:16 {God loved the word so much He gave his own begotten Son, whoever believeth in HIM shall not perish but have an ever lasting life }

• Stored and saved grain, ( bread) for emergency;

• 7years of plenty (store)• 7 years of famine;Gen42:29• Noah; prepared the ark for the coming flood ,

with one year supply of foods for his human beings and animals.

• Jesus= bread of life = foods= source of life or energy ;John 6:47

• The whole world came to Joseph for foods in Egypt, because he stored and prepared the foods for emergency at the time of famine; there was no other alternative or other choice to make. Every one came to Joseph. ;Gen 42:36

• The whole world came to Jesus, no other alternative or choice except to come to Jesus for eternal life and salvation ;mat 4:23

• 10 other brothers came to Joseph for foods and circle and bowed down in front of Joseph, Joseph in the center and all other brothers in the periphery ;Gen42:3

• 12-1=11 (Joseph)• 11-1=10 (Benjamine)• 12-2=10 sons; Gen42:6

• Everyone came to Jesus and worship and bow down in front of Jesus, Jesus in the center and everyone in the periphery ;mat 4:24

• Joseph did not return evil for evil but good for evil . did not retaliate his brothers for their wrongs in the past , did not abuse his authority and power for his own good; Gen 45:4-5

• Jesus never use or abuse his authority or power for his own good or show ,or display for public relation (PR);mat 5:38-42

• Joseph wanted to embrace his own blood related brother – Benjamin, restrained himself from public eyes for a while but could not do so for ever , reveal himself to his own brothers by taking out the veil or mask from his face;Gen 45:1

• Jesus wants to take veil and mask from our eyes and wants to reveal himself to us . we can see himself , Jesus, clearly without any blurry vision . ; Rev 1:1

Joseph’s interpretation Gen 41:25-32• “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown

Pharaoh what He is about to do: The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one. And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt;

Joseph’s interpretation Gen 41:25-32

• but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice

because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Joseph’s recommendation Gen 41:33-36

• let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.”

Pharaoh’s response Gen 41:39-41• “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there

is no one as discerning and wise as you.

You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”

Take home point

• Joseph did discharge his duty of interpret ting dream for King Pharaoh with humble attitude.

• Joseph did not ask for the Job. • Joseph did not campaign for the Job. • Joseph did not have the office of Prime

minister in mind when he performed the duty.• There is an important principle involved.

An important Principle involved

• An Apple tree works hard and does what is supposed to do . the tree grows and bears apple.

• Pear tree does likewise. • You do seek meekness or humbleness and end

up with pride.• You work for someone’s benefit and happiness

and endure hardships and tribulation . The process will teach you true meekness and humble spirit .

concept

Principle #2

Principle #1

Genesis 41:42-

• Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:46-49• Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before

Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly. So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them. Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.

Manasseh and Ephraim, Gen 41:51-52

• Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.” And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Genesis 41:53-57• the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended,

and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.” The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.

Genesis 42:3-5

• Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “Lest some calamity befall him.” And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 42:6-7• Joseph was governor over the land; and it was

he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth. Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, “Where do you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”

Genesis 42:8-13

• Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!” And they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.” But he said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.” And they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.”

Question and answer

• Who is the youngest one? • Benjamin• Who is the one no more? • Joseph

Genesis 42:14-17

• “It is as I spoke to you, saying, ‘You are spies!’ In this manner you shall be tested: By the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!” So he put them all together in prison three days.

Genesis 42:18-21

• Do this and live, for I fear God: If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses. And bring your youngest brother to me; so your words will be verified, and you shall not die.” And they did so. Then they said to one another, “We [10]are truly guilty concerning our brother [Joseph], for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us.”

Genesis 42:22-24

• Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.” But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter. And he turned himself away from them and wept. Then he returned to them again, and talked with them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.

• Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them. So they loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there.

Genesis 42:25-27

• Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them. So they loaded their donkeys with the grain and departed from there. But as one of them opened his sack to give his donkey feed at the encampment, he saw his money; and there it was, in the mouth of his sack. So he said to his brothers, “My money has been restored, and there it is, in my sack!” Then their hearts failed them and they were afraid, saying to one another, “What is this that God has done to us?”

Genesis 42:35-36

• Then it happened as they emptied their sacks, that surprisingly each man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid. And Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.”

Genesis 43:1-3

• the famine was severe in the land. And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.” But Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother [Benjamin] is with you.’”

Genesis 43:8-10

• Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”

• Judah •Spirit of sacrifice •Spirit of SELF sacrifice for OTHERS

Genesis 43:11-14

• And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight. Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man. And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother[ Simeon] and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”

Genesis 43:15-17

• So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.” Then the man did as Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.

Question

Why did Joseph act kindly ? Why did Joseph prepare special dinner for the

foreigners who came to buy foods? What is the relationship between Joseph and

Benjamin?Answer: Joseph and Benjamin are born from the

same mother , Rachael ! They are real brother to each other, blood relative !

“Blood is thicker than water ! “

Genesis 43:15-16 ( NKJV )

•Genesis 43:15-16 ( NKJV ) So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.”

Genesis 43:20-23

• “O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food; but it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have brought it back in our hand. And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.” But he said, “Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them [from the prison].

Genesis 43:26-27

• when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”

Genesis 43:28-31

• “Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves. Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, “Serve the bread.”

Genesis 43:33-34

• they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another. Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.

•Quick Genealogy

AdamAdam

Cain Abel Seth

Noah

Noah

Ham Shem Japheth

Abraham

Abraham

Ishmael Isaac

Isaac

Isaac

Essau Jacob

Jacob’s 12 tribes

Jacob’s 12 tribes

1.Dan2.Naphtali

3.Gad4.Asher

5.Reuben6.Simeon

7.Levi

8.JUDAH9.Issachar

10.Zebulun

11.JOSEPH12.Benjamin

Zilhah/zilpath Leah Rachel

Important relationship

Abraham

Jacob

Judah

David

JESUS CHRIST

SETHENOSHENOSHMETHUSELAHLAMECHNOAHSHEMAPHAXADSALAHEBERPELEGREUSERUGNAHORTERAH

ABRAM NAHOR HARANABRHAM LOT

ABRAM NAHOR HARANABRHAM LOT

ISHMAEL ISAACHAGAR SARAHSLAVE MOST BELOVED

ESSAU JACOB (12)4 6 2

BILHAH LEAH RACHEL1DAN LESS LOVED MOST BELOVED2NAPHTALI 1REUBEN 1 JOSEPH

2SIMEON 2BENJAMINZILPATH 3LEVI1GAD 4JUDAH2ASHER 5ISSACHAR

6ZEBULUN

PEREZHEZRONRAMAMMINADABNASHONSALMONBOAZ,RAHAB

ISLAM OBED,RUTHJESSEDAVID,BATHSHEBASOLOMONRENOBOAMABIJAHASAJEHOSHAPHATJORAMUZZIAHJOTHAMAHAZHEZEKIAHMANASSEHAMONJOSIAHJECONIAHSHEALTIELZERUBBABELABIUDELIAKIMAZORZADOKACHIMELIUDELEAZORMATTHANJACOB,JOSEPH,MARYCHRIST14G,ABRHAHAM-DAVID14G,DAVID-BABYLON CAPTIVITY14G,BABYLON-CHRIST

ESSAU JACOB (12)

4 6 2

BILHAH LEAH RACHEL

1DAN LESS LOVED MOST BELOVED

2NAPHTALI 1REUBEN 1 JOSEPH

2SIMEON 2BENJAMIN

ZILPATH 3LEVI

1GAD 4JUDAH

2ASHER 5ISSACHAR

6ZEBULUN

JUDAH,RAHAB,RUTH,DAVID,

JESUS

LEAHLESS LOVED(1)REUBEN(2)SIMEON(3)LEVI(4)JUDAH(5)ISSACHAR(6)ZEBULUN

PEREZHEZRONRAMAMMINADABNASHONSALMON+RAHABBOAZ,+RUTH,(NAOMI)OBED,JESSEDAVID,+BATHSHEBASOLOMONRENOBOAMABIJAHASAJEHOSHAPHATJORAMUZZIAHJOTHAMAHAZHEZEKIAHMANASSEHAMONJOSIAHJECONIAHSHEALTIELZERUBBABELABIUDELIAKIMAZORZADOKACHIMELIUDELEAZORMATTHANJACOB,JOSEPH,MARYCHRIST14G,ABRHAHAM-DAVID14G,DAVID-BABYLON CAPTIVITY14G,BABYLON-CHRIST

4JUDAH5ISSACHAR6ZEBULUN

PEREZHEZRONRAMAMMINADABNASHONSALMONBOAZ,RAHABOBED,RUTHJESSEDAVID,BATHSHEBASOLOMONRENOBOAMABIJAHASAJEHOSHAPHATJORAMUZZIAHJOTHAMAHAZHEZEKIAHMANASSEHAMONJOSIAHJECONIAHSHEALTIELZERUBBABELABIUDELIAKIMAZORZADOKACHIMELIUDELEAZORMATTHANJACOB,JOSEPH,MARYCHRIST14G,ABRHAHAM-DAVID14G,DAVID-BABYLON CAPTIVITY14G,BABYLON-CHRIST

ADAMCAIN ABELENOCH DEAD, KILLEDUNGODLY LINEKILINGS

HAMASSYIRIANINEVAHPHILISTINESCANNANSODOMGOMORAH

ABRAMABRHAM

ISHMAEL ISAACHAGAR SARAHSLAVE MOST BELOVED

ESSAU JACOB (12)4 6 2

BILHAH LEAH RACHEL1DAN LESS LOVED MOST BELOVED2NAPHTALI 1REUBEN 1 JOSEPH

2SIMEON 2BENJAMINZILPATH 3LEVI1GAD 4JUDAH2ASHER 5ISSACHAR

6ZEBULUN

PEREZHEZRONRAMAMMINADABNASHONSALMONBOAZ,RAHAB

ISLAM OBED,RUTHJESSEDAVID,BATHSHEBASOLOMONRENOBOAMABIJAHASAJEHOSHAPHATJORAMUZZIAHJOTHAMAHAZHEZEKIAHMANASSEHAMONJOSIAHJECONIAHSHEALTIELZERUBBABELABIUDELIAKIMAZORZADOKACHIMELIUDELEAZORMATTHANJACOB,JOSEPH,MARYCHRIST14G,ABRHAHAM-DAVID14G,DAVID-BABYLON CAPTIVITY14G,BABYLON-CHRIST

Genesis 44:1-3

• he commanded the steward of his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money.” So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.

Genesis 44:4-5

• “Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing.’”

• The descendants of Abraham, Jacob and his posterity, were brought down to Egypt that in the midst of that great and wicked nation they might reveal the principles of God's kingdom. The integrity of Joseph and his wonderful work in preserving the lives of the whole Egyptian people were a representation of the life of Christ. Moses and many others were witnesses for God. Col. P 287

• Arriving in Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, captain of the king's guard, in whose service he remained for ten years. He was here exposed to temptations of no ordinary character. He was in the midst of idolatry. The worship of false gods was surrounded by all the pomp of royalty, supported by the wealth and culture of the most highly civilized nation then in existence. Yet Joseph preserved his simplicity and his fidelity to God. The sights and sounds of vice were all about him, but he was as one who saw and heard not. His thoughts were not permitted to linger upon forbidden subjects. The desire to gain the favor of the Egyptians could not cause him to conceal his principles. Had he attempted to do this, he would have been overcome by temptation; but he was not ashamed of the religion of his fathers, and he made no effort to hide the fact that he was a worshiper of Jehovah. . . . Potiphar's confidence in Joseph increased daily, and he finally promoted him to be his steward, with full control over all his possessions. CC chap. 68

• The marked prosperity which attended everything placed under Joseph's care was not the result of a direct miracle; but his industry, care, and energy were crowned with the divine blessing. Joseph attributed his success to the favor of God and even his idolatrous master accepted this as the secret of his

unparalleled prosperity. Without steadfast, well-directed effort, however, success could never have been attained. God was glorified by the faithfulness of His servant. It was His purpose that in purity and uprightness the believer in God should appear in marked contrast to the worshipers of idols--that thus the light of heavenly grace might shine forth amid the darkness of heathenism. CC chap. 68

• Joseph's character bore the test alike of adversity and prosperity. The same fidelity to God was manifest when he stood in the palace of the Pharaohs as when in a prisoner's cell. He was still a stranger in a heathen land, separated from his kindred, the worshipers of God; but he fully believed that the divine hand had directed his steps, and in constant reliance upon God he faithfully discharged the duties of his position.CC chap. 71. always the same

• How was Joseph enabled to make such a record of firmness of character,

uprightness, and wisdom?--In his early years he had consulted duty rather than inclination; and the integrity, the simple trust, the noble nature, of the youth bore fruit in the deeds of the man. A pure and simple life had favored the vigorous development of both physical and intellectual powers. Communion with God through His works and the contemplation of the grand truths entrusted to the inheritors of faith had elevated and ennobled his spiritual nature, broadening and strengthening the mind as no other study could

do. Faithful attention to duty in every station, from the lowliest to the most exalted, had been training every power for its highest service. He who lives in accordance with the Creator's will is securing to himself the truest and noblest development of character. CC chap. 71 always the same

• There are few who realize the influence of the little things of life upon the development of character. Nothing with which we have to do is really small. The varied circumstances that we meet day by day are designed to test our faithfulness and to qualify us for greater trusts. By adherence to principle in the transactions of ordinary life, the mind becomes accustomed to hold the claims of duty above those of pleasure and inclination. Minds thus disciplined are not wavering between right and wrong, like the reed trembling in the wind; they are loyal to duty because they have trained themselves to habits of fidelity and truth. By faithfulness in that which is least they acquire strength to be faithful in greater matters. An upright character is of greater worth than the gold of Ophir. Without it none can rise to an honorable eminence. But character is not inherited. It cannot be bought. Moral excellence and fine mental qualities are not the result of accident. The most precious gifts are of no value unless they are improved. {CC 78.4} chap.72 all in Go’s’ plan

• The life of Joseph illustrates the life of Christ. It was envy that moved the brothers of Joseph to sell him as a slave; they hoped to prevent him from becoming greater than themselves. And when he was carried to Egypt, they flattered themselves that they were to be no more troubled with his dreams, that they had removed all possibility of their fulfillment. But their own course was overruled by God to bring about the very event that they designed to hinder. So the Jewish priests and elders were jealous of Christ, fearing that He would attract the attention of the people from them. They put Him to death, to prevent Him from becoming king, but they were thus bringing about this very result. CC chap. 73 He was like Christ

• Joseph, through his bondage in Egypt, became a savior to his father's family; yet this fact did not lessen the guilt of his brothers. So the crucifixion of Christ by His enemies made Him the Redeemer of mankind, the Saviour of the fallen race, and Ruler over the whole world: but the crime of His murderers was just as heinous as though God's providential hand had not controlled events for His own glory and the good of man. {CC 79.3} chap.73 He was like Christ

• As Joseph was sold to the heathen by his own brothers, so Christ was sold to His bitterest enemies by one of His disciples. Joseph was falsely accused and thrust into prison because of his virtue: so Christ was despised and rejected because His righteous, self-denying life was a rebuke to sin; and though guilty of no wrong, He was

condemned upon the testimony of false witnesses. And Joseph's patience and meekness under injustice and oppression, his ready forgiveness and noble benevolence toward his unnatural brothers, represent the Saviour's uncomplaining endurance of the malice and abuse of wicked men, and His forgiveness, not only of His murderers, but of all who have come to Him confessing their sins and seeking a pardon. {CC 79.4} chap. 73 He was like Christ

Conclusions

1. Joseph was put in prison unjustly. 2. Joseph was sold by his own brothers as a slave

to Egypt unjustly. 3. Chief butler and chief baker were put into

prison because of federal offense 4. Both had dream and did not know its meaning5. Joseph interpreted their dream with humble

attitude.

Conclusions 2

6. Joseph’s dream interpretation was accurate. 7. Three persons on the stage. One lived and the

other died. 8. Three persons on the cross. One criminal

saved, the other did not accept salvation .9. Joseph and Daniel interpreted dream fro Kings

respectively with humble attitude. 10.They returned all (100%) credit to God as

source of wisdom and understanding.

Conclusions 3

11.7 cows story , 7 fine looking ,fat cows. 7 ugly and gaunt cows

12.God gave dream to king to show what is to happen in the latter days.

13.Joseph came out of prison to palace in one day.

14.Jesus arose from dead to life in one day. 15.There is an important principle involved in life

event.

Conclusions 4

16. You work for someone’s benefit and happiness and endure hardships and tribulation . The process will teach you true meekness and humble spirit .

17.Do not repay evil with evil18.Life of Joseph illustrates the life of Christ. 19.Important formula:

[industry+care+energy+divine blessings]= marked prosperity

Conclusions 5

20.Joseph’s character bore the test alike of adversity and prosperity

21.Faithful attention to duty in every station of life is important for training every power for its highest services.

22.The influence of the little things of life on the development of character is great.

23.Adherence to principles in the transaction of ordinary life is important.

Conclusions 6

24.Duty above pleasure and inclination concept 25.An upright character is of greater worth than

gold. 26.Character is not inherited . Can not be

bought by money. 27.As muscles become stronger with resistance

(weight )exercise ,so character builds with adversity , difficulty ,and trials.

•The END•Thank you for coming!

Sermon details

• Opening hymn: 206 face to face• Scripture reading: Genesis 41:16• Special music: the namihira’s • Sermon: Joseph ,part #4, dream

interpretation • Closing hymn: 516 until then

Place of visit

• 3-6-2010, Vicksburg SDA church , MS