Advanced Level, Block 3—Outcomes of Jacob and Joseph
Week 29
Joseph Becoming the Governor of Egypt
Point to Emphasize: We must learn to speak for God and to speak His Word.
Reference Reading: Genesis 41:15-16, 25, 28, 32, 38-40; 42:6
Memory Verse: Let no one despise your youth, but be a pattern to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
Story Sample
It looks like Joseph would remain in prison for some time. Even though he asked the cupbearer to remember him when he was restored to his job before Pharaoh, the cupbearer altogether forgot about him. BUT two full years later Pharaoh had two dreams which he could not understand. He was very troubled by these dreams because in both dreams the cows and grains that were so healthy and flourishing became sick and wasted away. He called his magicians and wise men in Egypt and told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them. It was then the chief cupbearer who remembered Joseph. The cupbearer told Pharaoh about the young Hebrew man who had interpreted his dream while he was in prison.
Pharaoh sent for Joseph immediately. He said to him,”…I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it” (Genesis 41:15). Joseph answered, “It is not of me, God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer” (v. 16). Now, we need to stop and think about Joseph’s answer. He had been nearly twelve years in prison and at this point he was talking to Pharaoh. He could have given an answer to make himself appear great in the eyes of Pharaoh. He could have said, “OH, I can interpret any dream.” BUT he didn’t. Joseph spoke honestly and boldly by saying that it was God Who gives answers, not that he himself had the answers.
After he interpreted the dreams, Joseph said, “Pharaoh’s dreams are one dream; what God is about to do He has told Pharaoh” (v. 25). Joseph explained that there would be seven years of abundance in Egypt followed by seven years of famine. This is what God would quickly bring about. Joseph recommended to Pharaoh that he take action to appoint overseers over the land so that out of the abundance there would be stored away enough to last through the years of famine. Pharaoh then said, “Since God let you know all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my household and according to your word all my people shall be ruled” (vv. 39-40).
During the next seven years, Joseph worked tirelessly to stored up all the abundance of the food that was produced. The seven years of plenty ended and famine began, but because of the food that had been stored, the land of Egypt had plenty to eat. We can see that this was the fulfillment of Joseph’s dream of being a sheaf of wheat to supply food to others. These things happened because while in prison Joseph still believed what God had spoken to him in his dreams years before. And when he was before Pharaoh, the ruler of the known world, he was faithful to speak for God.
You may think that things like this only happen in the Bible, but I want you to know that many among us have experienced incredible things when we spoke concerning God to our bosses, friends, and neighbors. Let me share just this one. There was a man among us who had a job designing the little chips that make cell phones work. It was very technical work. All of his bosses and fellow workers had PhDs. Well, he and his wife also loved the Lord and lived for Him. At one time, the wife needed to move halfway across the country to continue serving the Lord. They prayed and felt they should move. So, the husband told his boss that he would be resigning and moving so that his wife could give her time to serve the Lord. He told his boss that he was already looking for a job in the new state where they would move to. His boss did not want him to quit. But his company did not have an office in the new state. Eventually, the boss gave him a raise and let him continue working with the company by renting him an office in the new state. This was something remarkable! And it happened because the husband was faithful to speak for God.
Let’s end our time today considering ways we can speak for God now…maybe to our friends, relatives, or at school. It is good that we are together and can discuss this. [Storyteller, lead the children to discuss how sharing a song or telling a friend about children’s meeting is speaking for God.]