God’s Cinderella Story
from the Pit to the Palace
Lesson 16
Genesis 40-41
God’s Cinderella Story
Day 1:From the Pit
Day 2: to the Pharaoh...
Day 3: to the Palace...
Day 4: to the Pinnacle...
Day 5: to the Glorious Parallel
Genesis 40-41
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans
I have for you,
declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and
not for evil, to give
you a future and a
hope.
“They” say everyone loves a Cinderella story. Even guys rally around the
Cinderella Man story about a down-and-out boxer who meets victory! There’s
something so stirring and invigorating about an underdog who makes it to the
big time like ‘Rocky’…or the last place runner moving up to first like ‘Secretariat’… or the ‘nobody’ who
becomes a ‘somebody’ like ‘Invincible’ or any other ‘rags to riches’ story. Our lesson this week is even
more astounding than the best of Hollywood! Literally, Joseph started his day in the prison-pit and ended
the very same day as #2 in command over all of Egypt! ONLY the hand of GOD!
In order to maximize your study today, we suggest you pause and express to the LORD your desire for
more of HIM.
Read this amazing Cinderella story in chapters 40 & 41. Before digging into the questions below, ask the
Holy Spirit to open your eyes to what HE would have you see first. Study the chapters on your own and
write down your observations and questions. What do you observe about Joseph? What do you observe
about who GOD is from this account? What application do you see for your own life? Your group will be
excited to hear what you have ‘mined’ out of this treasured passage!
Discovering truth and application from Scripture is marvelous and beautiful. We pray you are encouraged
to do so every day of your lives! We focus our observations today on the beginning of this Cinderella
story – the “pit” of prison narrated in Genesis 40. Read 39:21-23 to review the context of the story.
Describe the setting from Joseph’s perspective in prison. Perhaps you might even write out your response
in ‘first person.’
Describe the tasks you suspect were given to a cupbearer and baker in the palace and their importance to the
Pharaoh King by whom they were employed:
Why do you suspect they shared their dreams with Joseph and why did he readily interpret them? What does this
suggest about Joseph’s character? How has his character changed from his teen years in Dothan with his brothers?
Earlier on, Joseph may have been described as a godly, but somewhat insensitive, naïve,
innocently arrogant young guy. But, as he interacted with the prisoners, he displayed
great wisdom, sensitivity to their plight and a readiness to use the ‘dream interpretation’
gift God had given him. Like his Dad Jacob, Grandpa Isaac, and Great-Grandpa
Abraham before him, God was growing his faith. Joseph had been through abuse,
abandonment and false accusation yet, he didn’t display any root of bitterness or anger.
Rather, he immediately stepped in to help these men with grace. What does this reveal to
us about Joseph’s view of God?
What did Joseph ask the Cupbearer to do in v. 14 & 15 and what does this request tell us about Joseph?
As the days wore on after the Cupbearer’s release, Joseph must have begun to understand the devastating truth
that he was forgotten. From the cistern-pit he was thrown into by the hand of his own brothers, to the prison-pit he
was thrown into because of Mrs. Potiphar’s false accusations, Joseph stood strong. His example for us is
astounding. How did Joseph demonstrate James 1:2-4?
“Delay never thwarts God’s purposes;
it only polishes his instruments”
V. Raymond Edman
Women of God, Joseph’s response to the horrendous circumstances in his life is nothing short of
pure gold. Look hard at these chapters and ponder why he, this chosen instrument of God, was
able to thrive instead of barely survive the “pits” in his life. How can you apply this to your own
life? Oh, how HE wants us to thrive, (which means to grow and develop vigorously, to flourish)
To the best of your understanding and ability, describe the whole Prison-Pit scenario in chapter 40 from God’s
perspective. Perhaps you might also write this out as if you were God talking.
Joseph didn’t have our memory verse, however, he lived it! Write out our memory verse. (although written in
reference to the exiles in Babylon, the principle of the verse holds true for us today too!)
God’s Cinderella Story
Day
God’sthe
Presence
in Dreams
Day 1:
1:From
Pit
Day
Day 2:
2: God’s
to the Presence
Pharaoh...in Dothan
Day
Day 3:
3: God’s
to the Presence
Palace... in Darkness
Day
Day 4:
4: God’s
to the Presence
Pinnacle...in Dignity
Day
5:
God’s
Presence
in Deception
Day 5: to the Glorious Parallel
Genesis 40-41
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans
I have for you,
declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and
not for evil, to give
you a future and a
hope.
Even though Joseph was anxious to see his prison days come to an end, he
was able to make the most of his time in the dungeon because the Presence of
God was with him. He honed his management skills as he oversaw the prison and God was working on
developing his heart, readying him for a major leadership role. No doubt, God was bringing good out of
an awful situation…just like He promises us in Romans 8:28. Write out this powerful promise.
As you ready yourself for time with our Lord, you are invited to approach the throne of GOD and seek
out His wisdom and favor. May the Holy Spirit enlighten you in your study today.
Please begin to digest the passage, Genesis 41:1-36, on your own before you move ahead with the
questions below. What observations do you see? Are there any recurring themes in the story of Joseph?
Are there any contextual factors for you to consider? Are there any principles you can apply to your own
life? Do you have any questions about the passage? List other observations you have.
The key character in this riveting biblical narrative could easily have lost hope way down there in the
dungeon. Joseph could have coiled up in a corner and just resigned himself to an unfair life of wrongful
captivity. Instead, he continued to run the prison. In fact, he does it so well, the keeper paid no attention.
(39:23) What three words would you use to describe Joseph in the prison?
____________________
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Stay tuned! God is doing a mighty work behind the scenes. Two years had passed and God was
about to catapult the lowly prisoner all the way UP the ‘corporate’ ladder and land
him in the second highest position in the entire country!
In our day, it could be likened to a jump from sewer sweeper to Vice President of the United States! Let’s not miss
the fact that Joseph carried out EVERY job, whether errand boy or prison overseer, to the best of his ability. What
does his work ethic say about his character and his values in life? What principle can we apply to our own lives as
to our work habits and effectiveness in our homes and workplaces?
Remember, before prison, Joseph worked for Potiphar, (39:1) an officer in Pharaoh’s regime, but not Pharaoh
himself. How did God supernaturally connect Joseph with Pharaoh, the King of all Egypt?
Only God could orchestrate this grand ‘ladder-jumping, rung-skipping’ promotion! What did Joseph do to get
ready to meet the King? Why?
Interestingly, the Cupbearer made it clear the imprisoned interpreter of dreams was a Hebrew. The shaving of his
beard could have signified an attempt to appear more ‘Egyptian’ in the eyes of Pharaoh. Perhaps it was an act of
respect for the King, as we do not see fear in Joseph. Why do you suspect Joseph was not afraid of the King, the
man who had the power to throw him back in prison or worse yet, end his life?
How did Joseph help Pharaoh? Specifically, how did Joseph go above and beyond Pharaoh’s
quest for dream interpretation? How does this show us more about Joseph’s work ethic? Before
the Lord today, examine your work ethic at home, work, in relationships, etc.
What character qualities did Pharaoh King see in Joseph?
How did God use Pharaoh, a pagan Ruler, as a means to accomplish His plan for the family of God?
What does that say about the possibility of God using non-believers in our day to accomplish His plan?
The dreams of Joseph’s youth, the dreams in the prison and the dreams of Pharaoh were all given by the hand of
God. Culturally in that day, when a dream was coupled with a second dream, it was believed to be all the more
likely to come to pass. Why do you think God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams, specifically these
dreams?
To whom did Joseph give all the glory concerning his skillful, accurate interpretation of dreams?
God equipped Joseph with the ability to understand dreams. Although God has the power to continue this
possibility today, as Pastor James has taught, the likelihood that God would use this means to communicate with
His children is significantly less than Him speaking to us through the Word, prayer, godly people, etc. As we
close the lesson today on the picture of Joseph and Pharaoh talking, we are poised for tomorrow’s skyrocket right
into the seat of ‘National Advisor’! ONLY God!
God’s Cinderella Story
Genesis 40-41
Day
God’sthe
Presence
in Dreams
Day 1:
1:From
Pit
Day
Day 2:
2: God’s
to the Presence
Pharaoh...in Dothan
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans
I have for you,
declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and
not for evil, to give
you a future and a
hope.
Day
Day 3:
3: God’s
to the Presence
Palace... in Darkness
Day
Day 4:
4: God’s
to the Presence
Pinnacle...in Dignity
Day
5:
God’s
Presence
in Deception
Day 5: to the Glorious Parallel
God’s Cinderella story is unfolding right before our
eyes here in Genesis. The wicked step-brothers,
jealous of Joseph, ‘locked’ him up in the pit never to be contended with
again…so they thought. Until the ‘bippity-boppity-boo’ of the Almighty God
changed everything! The channel has just been changed from ‘Life in the Pits’ to
‘Lives of the Rich and Famous’!
The giver of all good gifts, the Almighty Master of the Universe, enjoys your presence deeply. Ask Him
to speak to you today through His Word and through His Holy Spirit.
Genesis 41:39 & 40 is a magnificent, history-making ‘game-changer’! Describe in your own words what
just happened in these two verses:
With moves like this, we see clearly that God can do ANYTHING! May this be an encouragement to you
today. God alone is the one who freed Joseph from captivity and lifted him high into the national
leadership ranks….and all in a day’s work! Although we will not study the ultimate fulfillment of
Joseph’s success until later lessons, we do not miss God’s mighty hand moving today.
God invited Joseph to take the ‘lead role’ in His ‘Family-of-God-goes to Egypt’ production. God could
have recruited another guy to accomplish His plan in Egypt, but Joseph said yes and accepted God’s
providence each step of the way. In essence, Joseph’s willingness to be open to God had moved him
from Guest to Resident of the Palace!
Thru Joseph, God was advertising and asserting HIMSELF in Egypt. Pharaoh saw something
significantly different in Joseph and concluded it was the ‘Spirit of God’ (v 38). In the New Testament,
the Fruits of the Spirit are named in Galatians 5:22 & 23. Please list them below:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Review the life of Joseph thus far found in Genesis 37, 39, 40 and 41. Specifically, where do you see glimpses of
these virtues in Joseph? Note the corresponding scripture references:
Indeed, Joseph was a showcase of Godly characteristics. (although it’s important to make clear Joseph was NOT
perfect) Perhaps at this juncture, the LORD is calling you to work on one of these ‘fruits of the Spirit’ in your own
life. Which one will you choose? ___________________________
Name one step you can take this week toward developing that trait.
______________________________________________________________________
Joseph not only interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, but he also devised an incredible plan to address the forth-coming
famine. What does this say about Joseph’s belief in God and about God’s power to equip those He calls?
Write out each step of Joseph’s plan in 41:33-36:
From whom did Joseph obtain His incredible managerial prowess?
Precious women, you also are very gifted. God has ‘wired’ each of you for specific good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
What do you believe are some of your spiritual gifts and natural talents given you by the Lord and for what
specific work do you think has He equipped you?
All throughout Joseph’s life of severe testing, Joseph chose to keep his focus on God. Perhaps the following
distinctives were at the core of his faithful life:
1) Joseph believed in God and in the Greatness of God!
2) Joseph believed God’s word (given to him in the dream of his youth)…and he remembered that his
family would one day bow down to him.
3) Joseph knew Yahweh was with him every step of the way.
4) Joseph worked very, very hard.
Once again, review the life of Joseph thus far: Where do you see these four points lived out in Joseph’s life?
How might these four truths from Joseph’s life impact your life if you embraced them more fully?
God’s Cinderella Story
Day
God’sthe
Presence
in Dreams
Day 1:
1:From
Pit
Day
Day 2:
2: God’s
to the Presence
Pharaoh...in Dothan
Day
3:
God’s
Presence
Day 3: to the Palace... in Darkness
Day
Day 4:
4: God’s
to the Presence
Pinnacle...in Dignity
Day
in Deception
Day 5:
5: God’s
to the Presence
Glorious Parallel
Just when you thought it was lavish enough, the life of the ‘rich and famous’
just got more so! Come with us today as we see how Joseph’s move to the
palace was just the beginning of indescribable abundance!
Genesis 40-41
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans
I have for you,
declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and
not for evil, to give
you a future and a
hope.
Bow your heads in prayer and ask the LORD to equip you and spur you on to love and good deeds today.
Let’s start today by reading Chapter 41:37-57. Sure enough, Joseph is in the palace…and he’s not just a
visitor anymore! What gifts did Pharaoh lavish upon Joseph in chapter 41? And what is the meaning of
these gifts?
Read verse 40 and 44 of chapter 41 and describe the parameters of the very real power given to Joseph by
Pharaoh:
Something to think about: What was the significance of the new name Pharaoh gave Joseph?
What ‘message’ was sent to the people and to Joseph when Pharaoh gave him the hand of his daughter in
marriage?
We have already observed Joseph to be a very hard worker. Here in chapter 41 we see he was driven to
focus on God and on the tasks God had set before him. Describe the detailed tasks Joseph accomplished
throughout his reign under Pharaoh from Genesis 41:46-57.
Write out verse 49 and 57. Comment here on the abundance of the Lord in Joseph’s life:
Precious women, do you know the abundance of the Lord in a personal way? Not in a prosperity sense, but the
abundance of His spiritual blessings? How so? Please take some time now to write out a prayer of praise for His
Lavish gifts given to you. Perhaps you might pray using II Peter 1: 3,4 as the basis for your prayer.
The abundance of God’s blessings on Joseph was beyond all comprehension! Indeed, Joseph was at the pinnacle of
success. Everywhere he turned, he was lavished with prestige, power, prosperity and personal reputation as all the
earth came to Egypt for food. It’s common for people to crumble under the pressure of such success. After all, such
prominence can be intoxicating. How did Joseph guard himself from the world’s enticement?
Name three things YOU do to guard yourself from the allure of the world? From the allure of “success” ?
Joseph and his Egyptian wife had two boys. What are the names and the corresponding meaning of each name.
What do the names reveal to us?
__________________________________________
____________________________________________
Joseph seized the opportunity, with the birth of his sons, to make a statement. Pharaoh had tried to “Egyptian-ize”
Joseph. Rather, when Joseph’s baby boys were born, he gave them Hebrew, not Egyptian, names. Joseph was
reasserting his ethnic and spiritual heritage. What does this say about Joseph’s fear of man versus his love for God?
Joseph was an extraordinary man. He lived, moved and breathed having his whole being in God. He believed the 3
foundational concepts we’ve been reviewing all year:
God LOVES me!
God KNOWS what to do!
God CAN do it!
These principles can serve as the framework of your life. Everything you go through passes through this
framework. Write each of the phrases listed above in the outside frame section of the picture frame below. Inside
the frame, write down 3 adjectives that describe your life this week. You are encouraged to write out a prayer
below asking God to help you see these three elements of your life through the framework of these three tenets
about God.
My Life
PRAYER
My Life
Sweet Success. The lavish pinnacle of success. Joseph’s plan is established and executed flawlessly. All the earth
is saved from the famine and Joseph’s is steadfast in his commitment to hold high the Giver of his success, the
LORD God Almighty!
God’s Cinderella Story
Day
God’sthe
Presence
in Dreams
Day 1:
1:From
Pit
Day
Day 2:
2: God’s
to the Presence
Pharaoh...in Dothan
Day
3:
God’s
Presence
Day 3: to the Palace... in Darkness
Day
Day 4:
4: God’s
to the Presence
Pinnacle...in Dignity
Day
Deception
Day 5:
5: God’s
to the Presence
Glorious in
Parallel
Isn’t it fun to study the life of one who has a ‘fairy-tale’ sort of story ending?
God elevated Joseph to the pinnacle of earthly glory and Joseph managed well
the abundance of the Lord’s hand.
Genesis 40-41
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans
I have for you,
declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and
not for evil, to give
you a future and a
hope.
In fact, after seeing Joseph’s life up close, it is easy to see how some students of the Bible have thought
Joseph to be another Christ. Lest you doubt, there was only ONE perfect man that walked this earth!
Clearly, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, stands out head and shoulders from all else.
Yet, the parallels between Joseph and Jesus are startling and fascinating. Many scholars reference Joseph as
a type of Christ, a foreshadowing of what was to come. As such, there is great wisdom that can come from a
comparative study of the two. Please pause for personal prayer to ready your heart for a worshipful, Easter
exercise:
Compare the similarities in the life of Joseph with the life of Jesus. You are welcome to use any scripture
passages, resource tools, etc. but perhaps you want to focus on The “Joseph” passages in Genesis and John
18 & 19. Consider each area of their lives and ministries.
The Life of Jesus
The Life of Joseph
It is also good to compare their differences. Review the passages once again and complete the following charts:
The Life of Jesus
The Life of Joseph
How we pray the Holy Spirit ‘took your breath away’ through this exercise. Oh women of God! Do you see the
extent of HIS Love? Do you see the GRAND parallels? Do you see how much He loves us by giving us an Old
Testament picture of Christ? The marvel of God’s intricate Bible…full of wisdom and parallels between Old and
New Testaments. Through Joseph, God’s people were preserved and saved from the impending death of famine.
He was a temporal Savior. He was a shadow of the Savior to come. God was using this extraordinary man, Joseph,
to preserve the line of his people. It’s a picture of what Jesus has done for us. ..and that’s just a few of their
similarities!
This Easter season, we urge you to read slowly and savor the account of Jesus in John 19 & 20. As a practice for
strengthening our walk of faith, please take some time to record below, what you say, God did for you at the cross!
For those of us that know Christ personally, we have our own “Cinderella” story. Jesus came to take us out of the
“pit” of sin and paid our debt for sin so that we would be adopted into the royal family of God. We live today in
the pinnacle of His abundant love and grace. The Prince of Peace has come and has prepared for us a place in the
extravagant Palace of God where we will live with him forever and ever!
Hallelujah! He is Risen! He is Risen INDEED!
Happy Easter!
Lesson
Take Away
God’s presence leads to abundance.
Notes: Genesis 40-41
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