Intro. For the sake of time, I will not read the entire text.
Remember, Joseph has been sold and scandalized. He was in the middle of a storm that was God’s plan for him.
I. The Dedication - vs. 4
There are two imprisoned with Joseph. There may have been a conspiracy to kill Pharaoh, with poison food or drink, and Pharaoh had no way of knowing who was involved - so both were imprisoned. And Joseph was put over them.
A. His Service - He could be trusted, even in the tough times!
B. His Sympathy - vs. 6
Most would have been upset that no one showed them sympathy, but Joseph, in his own prison, showed sympathy to others! That is dedication!
II. The Discernment
A. His Resolve - He had the understanding that Wisdom was from God - vs. 8
A great verse that would describe Joseph is found in Pro 3:7 "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."
B. His Revelation - The cook would die, the butler would live.
C. His Request - After he had served them, showed compassion, and had interpreted their dreams - we see his humanity come through - vs. 14-15
He believed the butler would be freed, so he made a simple request. Don’t forget me!
III. The Delay - Trusting God through His delays - 2 years longer in prison.
This is where I want to put most of my emphasis today: the heat was turned up on Joseph - He has been sold and scandalized, but faithful - and now he is forgotten! Chap 40:23
JFB - How prone are men to forget and neglect in prosperity, those who have been their companions in adversity. But although reflecting no credit on the butler, it was wisely ordered in the providence of God that he should forget him. The divine purposes required that Joseph should obtain his deliverance in another way, and by other means. Joseph was LEFT IN THE FURNACE! God was still preparing him.
The heat was turned up! Pr 25:4 "Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer."
A. The Prison could have been his Furnace - the furnace is used to Purify
1. The Condition of the Metal
- Without cleansing, it is Useless - dross (castaway, reprobate)
2. The Circumstances that Cause us to be in the Furnace
- Impurities - In speaking to the church of Laodicea
Rev. 3:19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
- Indifference - (a loss of zeal)
Titus 2:14 "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
- Intentions of GOD - He is the refiner. FOR HIM! Job 23:10 "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."
B. The Pain of being Forsaken
1. This Increased the Heat - how do you think he felt?
God sometimes allows it for our good -
(US Steel Mill - preparation of the steel - Red hot, before usable)
Just ask JOB - in the first two chapters he lost his
Finances Family Health Friends
2. Intended Result - 1Pe 1:7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"
C. The Privilege of waiting on the Father
1. Profitable (Only metals that can be used are refined)
Jere 6: 29 "The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away. 30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them."
2. Potential - God saw what was inside of Joseph!
3. Patience of the Refiner (time, effort, doesn’t give up)
Thank God, He never gives up on us.
4. Personal Touch of the Refiner
- Breath (Blow on the fire)
- Molding Isa 64:8 "But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand."
- Polishing - the personal care
- Possession of the Refiner -God never refines what is not His!
- THE PRIZE of the Refiner
As the Refiner works on the vessel, before too long he can see himself in His work. God’s sees something in you, you can’t see - He wants to bring it out (the image of JESUS) The Refiner sees his own image!
We are to be reflections of Jesus! WE SHOULD BE MIRROR IMAGES
- Voices of Truth - Uplifting the Broken (witnessing)
- Encouraging the Saints - Servants of God
When we LOVE Him, when we SUBMIT to Him, after He has tried us - He sees HIS REFLECTION IN US!
Some years ago in Dublin, a company of women met to study the Bible. One of them was puzzled by the words of Malachi 3:3, "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." After some discussion, a committee was appointed to call on a silversmith and learn what they could on the subject. The silversmith readily showed them the process. "But, sir," said one, "do you sit while the refining is going on?" "Oh, yes, indeed" he said. "I must sit with my eyes steadily fixed on the surface, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver is sure to be damaged." THE REFINER ALWAYS HAS HIS EYE ON US! BUT THAT IS NOT ALL. They had seen the beauty and comfort of the Scripture passage. As they were leaving, the silversmith called after them, "Oh, one thing more! I only know when the process is complete by seeing my own image reflected on the silver."
That is what the Lord Jesus wants to see in you and me as He refines us by fire— so that we will be reflections of Him! He sees something in you he wants to bring forth
AND WHEN HE IS DONE, YOU WILL COME FORTH AS GOLD!
Two years passed and we now come to chapter 41
Pharaoh dreams a dream, and calls for someone to tell him what it means.
This is the dream of the 7 years of plenty, then the 7 years of famine.
IV. The Deliverance - Even though Joseph had been hurt once more,
- God had a plan, and stepped in right on time!
A. Joseph is Remembered
1. Just in Time, Pharaoh had a dream (two years later)
2. Just in Time, the Butler remembered - God knew the right time!
Joseph was never out of His sight or care - and just in time, the butler remembered.
B. Joseph was Released - Pharaoh summoned for him
C. Joseph was Revealed (God gave Him the answers he needed)
He is revealed as true. In all of his circumstances, individuals saw that God was with him, now the kingdom would know!
D. Joseph would now Reign - the prisoner became a prince!
But not until God had prepared him.
Concl. Why 2 years - we do not know! But it was the right time.
The Circumstances had to be ready.
Pharaoh had to be ready (possibly circumstances in the kingdom, or his age)
Joseph had to be ready! Later Joseph said - Genesis 45:8 "So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt." Possible he was older than pharaoh! He became his advisor!
And the prisoner became the Prince of Egypt - Right on time.
God had a plan! It was not understandable, and not on anyone else’s timetable - but now Joseph’s own dream began to come true!
Think about this: Joseph interpreted every dream, except his own! God may even give us understanding for others - but allow us to face times we do not understand.
REMEMBER, GOD ONLY PLACES YOU IN THE FURNACE TO MAKE A USEFUL ARTICLE OUT OF YOU!
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
Simple challenge - Will we trust Him, LOVE HIM, unconditionally?
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own thoughts and work, and many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. It is all for His Glory.
