F ALL 2015 S EMESTER
10/25/2015
Week 6 of 10 in session
SERMON SERIES: Washington DC is a pressure packed city, and stress is the great separator when it
comes to our relationships with God and others. In Genesis, Joseph was able to thrive in many
pressure filled situations. We will learn how we can do the same. The story of Joseph’s life is found
in Genesis 37-50.
GOAL FOR THE DISCUSSION:
This chapter describes Joseph’s wisdom and discernment in matters of governance. It also
reveals his respect for and dependence upon God. The main purpose of this discussion is to
identify the gifts and talents that each person has and discover how these can be used to
advance God’s purposes. Where our talents and his purposes overlap, true meaning and impact
can be found.
INTRODUCTION
The external change in Joseph’s circumstances is astonishing, but his character has undergone a
remarkable transformation as well. He is no longer the brash teenager whose careless talk aggravated
others. Joseph has become an intelligent and wise individual without parallel in Egypt.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Read Genesis 41
1. How many times is God mentioned in verses 1-36? What role does God have in these verses?
2. When Pharaoh summons Joseph to interpret his dreams, what response does Joseph give
Pharaoh regarding his “abilities”? Does this reveal anything about Joseph’s view of God?
Genesis 41 starts ominously, at least when compared with the other two chapters, for nothing
is said about God’s favor resting on Joseph. Yet on this occasion, God is more evidently with Joseph
than ever before. In verses 1-36, Joseph refers to God no less than six times, occurring first in verse
16. In each instance, Joseph refers to God concerning God’s role in Pharaoh’s dreams. Joseph
responds to Pharaoh’s request for an interpretation by emphatically stressing the source of his
message—God. “Except for God” is an insistent statement that points away from Joseph’s own
skills to the ultimate source of all dreams and interpretations. Joseph approaches Pharaoh humbly,
but at the same time he offers something better, divine interpretation of the dreams.
Second Peter 1:21 states, “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets,
though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” God uses the
prophets, and in this case Joseph, to reveal his will to Pharaoh. The purpose of this message is to
Community Group Leader’s Guide – Fall 2015 6/10
Copies of Sermon Materials can be found at trygrace.org/groupresources/
1 prepare and preserve the ancient Near East through a prolonged famine. Verse 25 makes this clear:
“God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.” This exchange between Joseph and
Pharaoh reveals Joseph’s dependence upon God and God’s role in the world.
First, Joseph has seen God’s favor on his life. Although Joseph has twice fallen from positions
of favor, his view of God’s grace and purpose has become more consistent. He has acknowledged
that his role and position are less contingent upon what he can control—his skills and abilities—and
more dependent upon the greater circumstances that surround him and God’s plans. Second,
Genesis 41 depicts God as in control of creation and human circumstances. Not only does he
possess sovereign control over creation, but he also wishes to include humanity in his work.
Humanity is not expected to exist as passive agents in God’s plan. Amos 3:7 states: “Surely the
Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” The prophets
serve as the mouthpiece of God, providing guidance, warning and encouragement. Through God’s
revelation, his relationship with humanity is sustained and mutually beneficial.
3. Verse 33 marks a turning point in the narrative and in Joseph’s life. Why does Joseph offer this
advice? How do verses 1-36 persuade Pharaoh that Joseph is the right man for the job?
4. A key element has continually surfaced in Joseph’s life since chapter 39. What is the unique
element that Pharaoh sees in Joseph? Based on the description given in Genesis 41:39 and
Isaiah 11:2, what effect does this have on competency, effectiveness and efficiency?
5. Genesis 41:25 and 32 indicate that God has revealed what he is about to do. How does this
information affect what Pharaoh and Joseph should do? Pharaoh accepts the message God
gives rather than attempting to change it. What might this suggest about humanity’s role in the
events of history (cf. Proverbs 19:21; Ephesians 2:10)?
Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream as a warning of seven years of famine. His subsequent
advice reveals the true purpose of a prophet to guide, admonish or prepare his audience based on
the revealed message of God. Throughout the Bible, the prophetic message does not often end
with warning of disaster. Instead, warning is generally followed by 1) a plea to repent and avoid
trouble; 2) advice for surviving trouble; or, 3) hope for what life after disaster will look like—
restoration. Therefore in providing advice after the interpretation, Joseph appears to simply
communicate the message that God has given. God’s message did not end with the dream but with
directives to avoid the disaster that the dream foretold.
Pharaoh immediately places Joseph in charge of carrying out the sustainability plan for
Egypt. In his exchange with Joseph, Pharaoh has seen Joseph’s humility (41:16); his ability to hear
from God; and, his clear-headed wisdom (41:33-36). The key element that Pharaoh notices is “God’s
Spirit”. This has been a recurring theme since Genesis 39. Each time Joseph rises to a place of favor
Community Group Leader’s Guide – Fall 2015 6/10
Copies of Sermon Materials can be found at trygrace.org/groupresources/
2 and authority it results from the perceivable favor he receives from God. Similarly in Genesis 41,
Pharaoh recognizes God’s hand on Joseph’s life in a manner that sets him apart from all others in
Egypt. God’s Spirit does not preclude Joseph’s natural abilities. However, Joseph acknowledges
that those abilities are themselves a gift from God and when God’s gifts align with God’s purposes
he can accomplish amazing things.
Genesis 41:25 and 32 indicate God’s intentions to bring Egypt through a period of severe
famine. It is interesting that neither Pharaoh nor Joseph attempt to alter the fate of Egypt. Neither
prays against the famine. Instead, it appears that they simple accept the message of warning and
the advice that follows. This passage does not mean that we should not pray against natural
calamities or wickedness. However, it does demonstrate that Pharaoh and Joseph both submitted to
God’s message. They acknowledged his right to order the events of history. Instead of fighting
against the message, ignoring it or devising their own interpretations, they determine how best to
partner with God in order to reach the promise given in verse 36.
Read Colossians 3:22-25
6. Joseph has developed skills and competencies that match Pharaoh’s needs. Who has created
these various skills and abilities within man (consider Exodus 31:1-6; 1 Kings 3:3-12; 1
Corinthians 12:7-11)? Why does the source matter? How, like Joseph, should this information
direct one’s use of these skills?
7. Joseph becomes personally involved in what God plans to do in Egypt and the ancient Near
East. What do the names of his two sons reveal about the effect his role in God’s plan has had
on his life?
Colossians 3:22-25 addresses slaves and their labor, but the message has broader appeal. Its
message addresses the purpose of work and one’s use of skills. For those who believe in and follow
Jesus, everything is ultimately done to honor God. Honoring and revering God with one’s work can
only take place when you acknowledge that your skills and ability to work come from God. Exodus
31:1-6 describes the two craftsmen that were placed in charge of several religious elements within
the temple. This passage states that God has placed his Spirit on Bezalel and Oholiab, equipping
them “to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in
wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.” Solomon, in 1 Kings 3:3-12, asks God for wisdom and
discernment to lead the people of Israel. Additionally, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 speaks directly about
God’s role in distributing gifts to individuals. This coheres with the Christian concept of God and his
role in creation as establishing order and purpose. Further, he granted dominion over creation to
humanity. Yet, in order for humanity to fulfill the task for which God created man, he gives them
skills and enables men to fulfill those purposes.
Community Group Leader’s Guide – Fall 2015 6/10
Copies of Sermon Materials can be found at trygrace.org/groupresources/
3 8. Thriving under pressure occurs through concurrent dependence upon and alignment with God.
What does dependence look like without alignment? How does alignment without dependence
look? Can these be mutually exclusive?
9. In which area, dependence or alignment, do you most struggle? What changes would you like
to see in either of these areas?
Dependence upon God will, or at least should, result in alignment with God. Conversely,
alignment with God has to start with dependence. To depend upon God means you have
acknowledged that he is in control. When God is in control, the decisions that you make should
necessarily reflect his control. However, this does not come easily. Paul speaks of an inward struggle
(Romans 7:14-25). This struggle only occurs when an individual chooses to submit their life to God’s
control—dependence. Aligning one’s life with the commands of God takes place through a
continual decision to respond to God. Through submission to God, the Holy Spirit empowers and
equips the individual to overcome the natural inclination toward independence.
MOVING FORWARD
Dependence upon God and alignment with his plans are God’s desire for your life. When each of these
is pursued and elevated above your own desires and independence, true life is found. In your work and
planning, begin with a prayer that God’s Spirit would reveal himself to you and transform your will.
Pray:
Does anyone have any needs or prayer requests?
Do you know anyone that needs prayer?
Community Group Leader’s Guide – Fall 2015 6/10
Copies of Sermon Materials can be found at trygrace.org/groupresources/
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