And Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. Genesis 42:3

So the great famine , that was prophesied by God through Joseph , is now taking place. And because of Gods warning, Egypt stored up a lot of food. So Jacob (Israel) sent his sons to Egypt to buy food for the family so they don’t starve. Little do they know Joseph is now in charge of all of Egypt

However their father didn’t send Benjamin, as he is now the youngest son, because he still believes Joseph is dead. So Joseph is going to challenge his brothers to bring Benjamin to him before he reveals that he is actually Joseph

And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. Genesis 42:6

What an amazing story of how Joseph went from being a slave to now he is the ruler over all of Egypt. This was all done because of Gods grace, giving Joseph the knowledge to interpret dreams and finding favor in the eyes of his enemies.

Also remember when Joseph was a young boy, he prophesied that his brothers would bow before him. This prophecy has now become true, as his brothers are now literally bowing before him as the ruler of Egypt

And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me. Genesis 42:36

Jacob was in great distress at the thought of losing Benjamin. He still believes Joseph is already dead and now Simeon is in prison until they return to Egypt with Benjamin. Reuben tries to calm his father by guaranteeing he will bring back Benjamin and Simeon alive.

However we end this chapter with Jacob in great distress over this request, and at first he refuses to allow Benjamin to be taken to Egypt

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Notice the foreshadow of Christ, as Jesus went from the suffering servant (Isaiah 53) to the King of Kings. Just as Joseph went from a servant to a King where everyone bowed before him

And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. Genesis 41:1

Now remember from the last Chapter , God gave Joseph the ability or knowledge to interpret dreams/visions. Remember when Joseph interpreted the cupbearers dream, he asked him to remember him to put a good word in with the Pharaoh. And originally the cupbearer forgot Joseph even existed until now.

Pharaoh had a disturbing dream and he was immediately looking for answers. Unfortunately none of his “magicians” or “wise men” could interpret the dream. However the cupbearer remembered Joseph

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. Genesis 41:14

As soon as Pharaoh heard about Joseph he sent for him immediately. Pharaoh was very disturbed by these dreams and wanted answers! But notice Josephs response he says “I cant interpret your dream but God can” (Genesis 41:16) Joseph wasn’t stealing the glory from God. He admitted that he was Gods vessel. How many “Christians” today could learn from this example?

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Genesis 41:39

Pharaoh decided he needs to put someone with great wisdom in charge, he said since Joseph has the “Spirit of God” (Genesis 41:38) he should be in charge over all of Egypt

Now think about this for a second, Joseph who was a Hebrew slave and a prisoner, is now ruler over all of Egypt. This is all because Joseph relied on Gods wisdom and power and not his own

Notice the foreshadows of Christ, Jesus was the suffering servant for our sins and became the King of Kings.

And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you. Genesis 40:8

Joseph is now in prison, falsely accused. While in prison he meets a baker and a butler (cupbearer) each man had a dream (vision) but they didn’t know how to interpret it. Joseph told them that only God can interpret these dreams, so they explained what they saw and he prayed to God to reveal the meaning of their visions

God revealed to Joseph that the butler would be restored to his position in 3 days , however the baker would be hanged. Joseph asked the butler to remember him when he’s released and put in a good word for him to the Pharaoh

Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. Genesis 40:23

Well everything went exactly how God predicted it would, however when the butler was restored back to his position, he never mentioned or remembered Joseph. While it may seem that this was another failure or setback for Joseph, we are going to see in the next Chapter God will use this moment to exalt Joseph again

Lesson learned here, even when your doing the will of God, don’t always expect instant results or vindication. Amen!

And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. Genesis 39:2

We continue to look at the life of Joseph and how he was a foreshadow of Christ to come. Joseph went from being a slave to being the ruler over Egypt. Much like Christ, who went from being the Suffering Servant to being the King of Kings. Here we see because of God, Joseph had found favor in the eyes of the ruler of Egypt

There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Genesis 39:9

And although God blessed Joseph with many things including prosperity, he didn’t lose his integrity with God. Potiphar, who was Josephs master, had a wife who tried to seduce Joseph into sleeping with her. But Joseph refused to do this because he didn’t want to sin against God

Much like how Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, Jesus even though he was in human form, never sinned and never gave into temptation (Matthew 4)

And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Genesis 39:20-21

When Joseph refused to sleep with the woman, she falsely accused him of trying to sexually assault her. Her husband immediately had Joseph thrown into prison.  Just as Joseph was falsely accused and sentenced so was Jesus who never sinned, yet was killed for false accusations

But even in prison Joseph prospered because God was with him and showed favor towards him. Just as God raised Jesus from the dead and seated him as his right hand with all power and authority Amen!

1. Became a Servant (Genesis 39:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:4)
2. Everything they did prospered (Genesis 39:3, Isaiah 53:10)
3. Resisted Temptation (Genesis 39:7-12, Matthew 4)
4. Falsely Accused (Genesis 39:17-18, Matthew 26:60)
5. Numbered with the transgressors (Genesis 39:20, Luke 23:33)