Joseph, Part 8
In part 8 of our series on Joseph, Joseph uses his God-given ability to interpret the King's dream, which sets him up for future leadership. Click here for the recording of this 8/18 Service, and you can fast-forward to 25:06 to get to the start of the sermon.
Our text comes from Genesis Chapter 41.25-37
25 And Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dreams are one and the same; God has told to Pharaoh what He is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one and the same. 27 The seven thin and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven thin ears scorched by the east wind will be seven years of famine.
28 It is as I have spoken to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29 Behold, seven years of great abundance are coming in all the land of Egypt; 30 and after them seven years of famine will come, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine will ravage the land.
31 So the abundance will be unknown in the land because of that subsequent famine; for it will be very severe. 32 Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is confirmed by God, and God will quickly bring it about. 33 So now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and appoint him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him take a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt as a tax in the seven years of abundance.
35 Then have them collect all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh’s authority, and have them guard it. 36 Let the food be used as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine.”
37 Now the proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants.
Introduction…
In a 1959 speech, John F. Kennedy referred to the Chinese word Wei Ji, saying, "In the Chinese language, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters — one representing danger and one representing opportunity".
This is precisely where Joseph finds himself.
This is where most real leaders find themselves, sooner or later.
As a Churchman, I owe a debt to the record of the Bible, and to people like Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Churchill for leadership lessons they have taught me.
What is happening in the text?
In ch41, Pharaoh finds himself vexed by a dream for which he cannot find interpretation.
The butler finally remembers Joseph and his abilities, and recommends him to Pharaoh.
In v25-27, Joseph interprets the dream- 7 good years, followed by 7 yrs of famine.
V28- notice that Joseph give credit to God (Elohim- the I am) for the dream interpretation.
V29-31- the news has 2 components, both good and bad.
V32- “this matter has been established by God”; it will happen quickly.
V33- Joseph counsels Pharaoh to look for a man “discerning (bin- to understand) and wise” and appoint him leader over Egypt.
V34-36- Joseph gives Pharaoh a plan- overseers, 20% crop tax a year for 7 yrs, store and guard the grain, as feed during 7 yrs of famine.
V37- the plan seemed good to Pharaoh and his servants.
How do we apply this to your lives?
There are issues we experience that need the intervention of God - often, they are ”cluster problems”- interrelated issues, knotty, complex; President Obama on problems rising to the Oval Office.
God has a solution, and He will give it, if we will listen, and obey.
The solution involves recognizing and owning both the positive, and the negative aspects of the issue.
In times of crisis, there is no substitute for leadership - ex, Churchill in WW2; moral courage, which is sorely lacking today; doing your job, vs keeping your job.
Have a plan, born of broad based consensus, knowledge and wisdom.
Then work the plan, through to its completion - 14 yrs of execution for Joseph, from fat years to lean, from 30 yrs of age, to midlife, 44.
