Joseph helps Pharaoh

LESSON 3: JOSEPH HELPS PHARAOH

Because the Lord was with Joseph, the warden put him in charge of everyone held in Pharaoh's prison. However, Joseph was still in prison himself. Sometime later, Pharaoh got mad at his cupbearer and baker, and sent them to prison too. They both ended up under the care of Joseph.

One day, both the cupbearer and the baker had a dream, and they became deeply troubled. Seeing their concern, Joseph explained to them what their dreams meant. This pleased the cupbearer, because his dream was good. However, the baker's dream was a message of death. Our story today begins another two years after this took place.

Now let's read Genesis 41:1-39

1. How many dreams did Pharaoh have? 2. What were his dreams about? 3. Whom did Pharaoh send for at first to tell him what his dreams meant? 4. Where they able to interpret the dreams? 5. What did the cupbearer say to help Pharaoh? 6. How did Joseph respond when Pharaoh asked him if he could interpret the dreams? 7. What did the dreams mean? 8. After Pharaoh understood the meaning of his dreams, what did he do? 9. God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams. When we follow Jesus, what other abilities might God give us to carry out His purpose?

Discussion Questions:

Joseph had no knowledge that things would eventually go well for him. That was not important. Instead, following God's Will and honoring the Lord was all that really mattered. It is no wonder that God enabled Joseph to become the second in command over all of Egypt. Joseph would play a big part in God's plans.

Every time Joseph found himself in a difficult spot, he continued to follow God. He followed God when his brothers sold him to merchants going to Egypt. He followed God in the presence of Potiphar's wife. Joseph also followed God while in prison for doing nothing wrong.

This doesn't mean everything will always go delightfully well for us, but we can be certain that in all things, God is working for the good of those who love Him.

When we choose to follow Jesus, even when faced with difficulties or hardships, we build character. Our Lord is then able to use us to serve Him according to His Will. As He did for Joseph, God desires to provide whatever we need to carry out His purpose.

Things are really looking good for Joseph now. However, there is still something very important that he must do to show his love for the Lord. Come back next week to find out what that is.

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