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JOSEPH IS TRUSTING

Genesis 40.1-23

INTRODUCTION

                     1. We have followed Joseph’s roller coaster life from born to a patriarch Israel to hated by his brothers to his God-given dreams to the pit and slavery to leading Potiphar’s business to being jailed from a woman’s lie.

                     2. Now we have a brief description of events in the jail.

                     3. Remember: Gen 39.21-23

· Despite the injustice, God was with Joseph.

· Despite the injustice, Joseph was favored, trusted, effective, and prosperous.

                     4. How are you when unjustly treated? How are you when things in your life are not right?

                     5. This episode in Joseph’s life is a fabulous illustration of the Bible truth in 1Pe 2:20: What glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

                     6. What’s the big deal if you are patient when you are wrong? The big deal is when you are wronged and you take it patiently, that points to God. That shows your faith that something bigger than you is happening.

                     7. None of the next chapter could have happened without Joseph trusting God despite being unjustly treated.

                     8. The setting in the jail. 1-5

· Pharaoh’s butler and baker were imprisoned with Joseph.

· Both the butler and baker had vivid dreams in the same night.

                     9. This becomes the setting for God to show what He can do through Joseph’s faith.

            I. JOSEPH TRUSTED GOD AND SERVED OTHERS

                     1. He cared for others. 6-7

· He noticed their sadness and asked about it. He gave his problems to God and then cared for others.

· Do we care for others? Or are we so worried about our own problems we have nothing left for others?

· The greatest problem for everyone is the sin problem. [GOSPEL]

                     2. He honored God with others. 8

· His first response was to mention God. We can do that if we practice.

· His second response was to hear the dreams. It’s one thing to talk about God. It’s another thing to demonstrate our relationship with God. Believers have access to God. Unsaved do not.

· Those who know God are infinitely better than those who don’t. God is working to prove that both to us and those who are watching us.

          II. JOSEPH TRUSTED GOD AND SHOWED HIS WILL

                     1. The butler will be restored. 9-13, good news

                     2. The baker will be killed. 16-19, bad news

The dreams did not just happen. God gave them to use Joseph. Joseph recognized God’s purpose and followed.

         III. JOSEPH TRUSTED GOD AND ENDURED

                     1. Joseph trusted God and showed his faith. 14-15

· Joseph asked to be freed from jail. 14 He could have doubted his own interpretation.

· Joseph remembered being sold into slavery. 15 He could have concluded nothing ever works out for him.

                     2. Joseph trusted God and saw it’s fulfillment. 20-22

· Exact timing. Three days 13, 19, 20

· Exact fulfillment.

                     3. Joseph trusted God and suffered disappointment. 23

· Joseph remained in the jail cell when the butler walked away.

· This is not just Joseph in jail. This is Joseph’s faith in the furnace; not yet ready for removal.

CONCLUSION

                     1. Joseph enjoyed telling about the dreams and seeing all fulfilled.

                     2. Joseph endured being forgotten and left in jail.

                     3. The butler forgot Joseph but God did not forget Joseph.

                     4. Can you believe God is in total control even when you are wronged? People wrong you but God never will.

                     5. Heb 13:5-6 He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.