New Beginnings
Overcome Hard Times
Overcome: Living beyond your circumstances
Locations & Times
New Beginnings
1475 Concrete Rd, Carlisle, KY 40311, USA
Thursday 5:00 PM
Wednesday 5:00 PM
Our Scripture text today: Genesis 41: 28-36, 46-49
The Point: “God has a plan to see you through any crisis.”
The Bible Meets Life:
- We have all been impacted by economic downturn.
- It could be as minor as paying more for food and gas or as major as losing a job or house.
- God is bigger than the economy or world markets.
- In the Book of Genesis we see how God prepared and led Joseph in the midst of the hard times they were about to experience.
- While our situation is different from Joseph’s, the Bible offers some principles in this story to help us overcome in the midst of our own hard times.
The Setting:
- When Pharaoh had a perplexing dream, his restored official suddenly remembered Joseph’s dream interpretation and commended him to Pharaoh.
- After being fetched from prison, Joseph, again with insight from God, interpreted the dream: God was warning Pharaoh of things to come-seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.
- Joseph even laid out a strategy for leveraging the abundant years for survival during the barren years.
- Pharaoh appointed Joseph to implement the strategy, which he did.
The Point: “God has a plan to see you through any crisis.”
The Bible Meets Life:
- We have all been impacted by economic downturn.
- It could be as minor as paying more for food and gas or as major as losing a job or house.
- God is bigger than the economy or world markets.
- In the Book of Genesis we see how God prepared and led Joseph in the midst of the hard times they were about to experience.
- While our situation is different from Joseph’s, the Bible offers some principles in this story to help us overcome in the midst of our own hard times.
The Setting:
- When Pharaoh had a perplexing dream, his restored official suddenly remembered Joseph’s dream interpretation and commended him to Pharaoh.
- After being fetched from prison, Joseph, again with insight from God, interpreted the dream: God was warning Pharaoh of things to come-seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.
- Joseph even laid out a strategy for leveraging the abundant years for survival during the barren years.
- Pharaoh appointed Joseph to implement the strategy, which he did.
Question #1:
“What is your number one survival tip to prepare for a crisis?
- Sometimes we can see a crisis looming in the distance.
- Yet other crisis’s surprise us and change our lives in a moment.
- We might be surprised and even unprepared when hard times come, but God never is.
- God prepared and led Joseph to make provision for the people of Egypt for the hard times they were about to experience.
- Joseph’s life demonstrates that God does what He says He will do, and that, even in the face of a problem, God has an answer for us.
“What is your number one survival tip to prepare for a crisis?
- Sometimes we can see a crisis looming in the distance.
- Yet other crisis’s surprise us and change our lives in a moment.
- We might be surprised and even unprepared when hard times come, but God never is.
- God prepared and led Joseph to make provision for the people of Egypt for the hard times they were about to experience.
- Joseph’s life demonstrates that God does what He says He will do, and that, even in the face of a problem, God has an answer for us.
Two years had gone by (41:1) since Joseph had interpreted the dreams of two of Pharaoh’s officials.
- Joseph had asked the cupbearer to remember him and tell Pharaoh to end Joseph’s unjust imprisonment, but Joseph had been forgotten.
- In some ways those two years must have been the greatest of Joseph’s trials.
- As far as he knew, Joseph might spend the rest of his life in prison.
- Then Pharaoh had two troubling dreams.
- He called in his magicians and wise men, told them his dreams, and asked them to interpret their meanings.
- But the magicians and wise men could not interpret the dreams.
- This group included the brightest and best experts in each area of knowledge.
At this point in the narrative the cupbearer stepped forward.
- Pharaoh’s dreams had reminded him of Joseph.
- The cupbearer told Pharaoh of the Hebrew slave who had interpreted his dream.
- Pharaoh summoned Joseph immediately.
- Pharaoh told him no one had been able to interpret his dreams.
- He also said he had heard Joseph could interpret dreams.
Joseph quickly set the record straight about his powers to interpret dreams-only God could do that.
- Pharaoh then told his two dreams, including each detail (v17-24).
- Joseph concluded that the two dreams communicated the same message and thus could be considered one dream (v26).
- Then Joseph explained that the seven healthy cows represent seven years of abundance, while the seven unhealthy cows stood for seven years of famine.
Joseph contended that the dreams were God’s way of declaring, “what HE is about to do".
- He had already explained to the king that God had shown him what He was about to do (v25).
- Explaining this fact to the king twice emphasized the importance of the dreams.
- God was about to do something very important in Egypt.
- He gave Joseph insight and understanding to interpret the dreams so Pharaoh would be prepared.
- Joseph acknowledged God as the source of wisdom.
In one sense the dreams communicated the classical “good news, bad news.”
- Joseph first gave Pharaoh the good news.
- Joseph previously declared that the seven good cows and the seven good heads of grain represented seven years (v26).
- In verse 29 Joseph declared that they represented “seven years of great abundance.”
Then Joseph offered to Pharaoh the bad news with regard to his dreams.
- The bad news received the bulk of the attention and overwhelmed the good news in the dreams, even as the seven lean cows consumed the seven fat cows and the seven thin heads of grain swallowed the seven plump heads of grain.
- God revealed that after the seven years of prosperity, “seven years of famine” would occur v30.
Joseph stressed again the importance of the warning by telling Pharaoh, “ The abundance in the land will not be remembered".
- He asserted that the giving of two dreams to communicate one message stressed the certainty that the message was true or authentic and that God would quickly bring it to pass.
- God enabled Pharaoh to see what the coming 14 years would bring.
- He provided an accurate interpretation through Joseph at the precise time when Pharaoh could prepare adequately for the devastating famine headed Egypt’s way.
- By depending on God’s guidance, Joseph was able to help Pharaoh understand fully the difficulties he faced.
- Joseph had asked the cupbearer to remember him and tell Pharaoh to end Joseph’s unjust imprisonment, but Joseph had been forgotten.
- In some ways those two years must have been the greatest of Joseph’s trials.
- As far as he knew, Joseph might spend the rest of his life in prison.
- Then Pharaoh had two troubling dreams.
- He called in his magicians and wise men, told them his dreams, and asked them to interpret their meanings.
- But the magicians and wise men could not interpret the dreams.
- This group included the brightest and best experts in each area of knowledge.
At this point in the narrative the cupbearer stepped forward.
- Pharaoh’s dreams had reminded him of Joseph.
- The cupbearer told Pharaoh of the Hebrew slave who had interpreted his dream.
- Pharaoh summoned Joseph immediately.
- Pharaoh told him no one had been able to interpret his dreams.
- He also said he had heard Joseph could interpret dreams.
Joseph quickly set the record straight about his powers to interpret dreams-only God could do that.
- Pharaoh then told his two dreams, including each detail (v17-24).
- Joseph concluded that the two dreams communicated the same message and thus could be considered one dream (v26).
- Then Joseph explained that the seven healthy cows represent seven years of abundance, while the seven unhealthy cows stood for seven years of famine.
Joseph contended that the dreams were God’s way of declaring, “what HE is about to do".
- He had already explained to the king that God had shown him what He was about to do (v25).
- Explaining this fact to the king twice emphasized the importance of the dreams.
- God was about to do something very important in Egypt.
- He gave Joseph insight and understanding to interpret the dreams so Pharaoh would be prepared.
- Joseph acknowledged God as the source of wisdom.
In one sense the dreams communicated the classical “good news, bad news.”
- Joseph first gave Pharaoh the good news.
- Joseph previously declared that the seven good cows and the seven good heads of grain represented seven years (v26).
- In verse 29 Joseph declared that they represented “seven years of great abundance.”
Then Joseph offered to Pharaoh the bad news with regard to his dreams.
- The bad news received the bulk of the attention and overwhelmed the good news in the dreams, even as the seven lean cows consumed the seven fat cows and the seven thin heads of grain swallowed the seven plump heads of grain.
- God revealed that after the seven years of prosperity, “seven years of famine” would occur v30.
Joseph stressed again the importance of the warning by telling Pharaoh, “ The abundance in the land will not be remembered".
- He asserted that the giving of two dreams to communicate one message stressed the certainty that the message was true or authentic and that God would quickly bring it to pass.
- God enabled Pharaoh to see what the coming 14 years would bring.
- He provided an accurate interpretation through Joseph at the precise time when Pharaoh could prepare adequately for the devastating famine headed Egypt’s way.
- By depending on God’s guidance, Joseph was able to help Pharaoh understand fully the difficulties he faced.
Question #2:
“What does God’s warning tell us about His character?”
- God always has a purpose to what He puts in our hands.
- Whether it is an abundant harvest of crops; success in the workplace; a bonus check; or additional skills, assets, or relationships; each can represent a way God is preparing us for what lies ahead.
“What does God’s warning tell us about His character?”
- God always has a purpose to what He puts in our hands.
- Whether it is an abundant harvest of crops; success in the workplace; a bonus check; or additional skills, assets, or relationships; each can represent a way God is preparing us for what lies ahead.
Question #3:
“When has God given you a clear picture of what to do?”
- Scripture teaches that God provides us what we need through His Word to be adequately equipped for the good works He calls us to accomplish (2 Tim. 3:17).
- God never gives us anything we don’t need.
- Life will provide us the opportunity to apply what we have experienced and learned.
“When has God given you a clear picture of what to do?”
- Scripture teaches that God provides us what we need through His Word to be adequately equipped for the good works He calls us to accomplish (2 Tim. 3:17).
- God never gives us anything we don’t need.
- Life will provide us the opportunity to apply what we have experienced and learned.
The word “now" indicates a shift to the "bottom line" in Joseph's presentation.
- He already had told Pharaoh what his dreams meant.
- Now, he was telling him what to do about them.
- In light of what was to come in the next 14 years, the king needed to find a “intelligent and wise” person and put that person “over the land of Egypt” v33.
- The man Pharaoh chose would need to be able to see the issues clearly and act effectively.
Joseph’s words carried a note of urgency.
- Joseph acknowledged the need for individuals to oversee the land; one administrator could not do everything, but one man could provide the unifying vision for others to put into effect.
- Joseph outlined a plan.
- Pharaoh should appoint “overseers” to work under his administrator and have them “take a fifth” of the abundant harvest during the first seven years. (v34)
A large store of food would be needed to enable the people to survive the severe, extended famine.
- The food held in reserve during the seven years of abundance would save Egypt from disaster.
- The Egyptian authorities would hold this one-fifth of the harvest in “reserve for the land” v36.
- Later in the story we learn the plan saved not only the Egyptians but also people of other lands, including Joseph’s father and his brothers.
God used all of these events that involved Joseph to bring Jacob’s family to Egypt to save them from the famine.
- He also provided a place that protected them from the evil influences of Canaan while Jacob’s descendants grew and multiplied and became God’s nation.
- Joseph led Pharaoh and his nation to work in harmony with God’s plan that ultimately involved providing the way to bring redemption to the world through Jesus Christ, a descendant of Jacob.
- He already had told Pharaoh what his dreams meant.
- Now, he was telling him what to do about them.
- In light of what was to come in the next 14 years, the king needed to find a “intelligent and wise” person and put that person “over the land of Egypt” v33.
- The man Pharaoh chose would need to be able to see the issues clearly and act effectively.
Joseph’s words carried a note of urgency.
- Joseph acknowledged the need for individuals to oversee the land; one administrator could not do everything, but one man could provide the unifying vision for others to put into effect.
- Joseph outlined a plan.
- Pharaoh should appoint “overseers” to work under his administrator and have them “take a fifth” of the abundant harvest during the first seven years. (v34)
A large store of food would be needed to enable the people to survive the severe, extended famine.
- The food held in reserve during the seven years of abundance would save Egypt from disaster.
- The Egyptian authorities would hold this one-fifth of the harvest in “reserve for the land” v36.
- Later in the story we learn the plan saved not only the Egyptians but also people of other lands, including Joseph’s father and his brothers.
God used all of these events that involved Joseph to bring Jacob’s family to Egypt to save them from the famine.
- He also provided a place that protected them from the evil influences of Canaan while Jacob’s descendants grew and multiplied and became God’s nation.
- Joseph led Pharaoh and his nation to work in harmony with God’s plan that ultimately involved providing the way to bring redemption to the world through Jesus Christ, a descendant of Jacob.
Question #4:
“When we don’t have a clear picture from God, how can we actively pursue His solution?”
- Keep praying about it!
- Sometimes God wants us to patiently wait for His will and direction.
“When we don’t have a clear picture from God, how can we actively pursue His solution?”
- Keep praying about it!
- Sometimes God wants us to patiently wait for His will and direction.
Pharaoh showed wisdom in recognizing that no one was more qualified to be the administrator of this plan than Joseph.
- He did not stand out because of his superior intelligence or natural abilities.
- He stood out because Pharaoh and all his officials, just like Potiphar before them, recognized that God was with Joseph.
- Pharaoh even acknowledged that the Spirit of God was on Joseph.
Having recognized Joseph as the best man qualified to administer the plan-
- Pharaoh proceeded to give him authority to fulfill this assignment.
- Joseph was to be over Pharaoh’s house.
- Joseph was second only to Pharaoh, who alone reigned on the throne.
- Pharaoh gave Joseph the outward signs of his new authority.
- He gave him his signet ring, dressed him in fine clothes, caused him to ride in the second chariot, and told the people to bow down (v42-44).
“Joseph was 30 years old" when he was installed as Egypt's chief administrator.
- Meaning he had spent 13 years in slavery or in prison in Egypt (37:2).
- He immediately implemented the plan he had outlined.
- As Joseph had predicted, the land flourished during the seven good years.
- Joseph traveled throughout Egypt to oversee the gathering of good during the seven good years.
After the seven years of plenty ended, the long-dreaded famine began.
- Egypt was not the only land to suffer from the famine.
- Neighboring countries also suffered its effects.
- Because of careful preparation under Joseph’s supervision, Egypt had abundant food.
- Joseph began to sell the brain reserves.
- People of neighboring areas came to purchase food, setting the stage for our next lesson.
In God’s redemptive plan, Joseph endured some very hard times.
- Yet the Lord did not expect him to overcome those hard times in his own strength.
- Today, when we cooperate with God in His work, He gives us insight and stamina sufficient for the situation.
- When following God presents us with hard times, we can overcome them, knowing God has a plan to see us through any crisis.
- He did not stand out because of his superior intelligence or natural abilities.
- He stood out because Pharaoh and all his officials, just like Potiphar before them, recognized that God was with Joseph.
- Pharaoh even acknowledged that the Spirit of God was on Joseph.
Having recognized Joseph as the best man qualified to administer the plan-
- Pharaoh proceeded to give him authority to fulfill this assignment.
- Joseph was to be over Pharaoh’s house.
- Joseph was second only to Pharaoh, who alone reigned on the throne.
- Pharaoh gave Joseph the outward signs of his new authority.
- He gave him his signet ring, dressed him in fine clothes, caused him to ride in the second chariot, and told the people to bow down (v42-44).
“Joseph was 30 years old" when he was installed as Egypt's chief administrator.
- Meaning he had spent 13 years in slavery or in prison in Egypt (37:2).
- He immediately implemented the plan he had outlined.
- As Joseph had predicted, the land flourished during the seven good years.
- Joseph traveled throughout Egypt to oversee the gathering of good during the seven good years.
After the seven years of plenty ended, the long-dreaded famine began.
- Egypt was not the only land to suffer from the famine.
- Neighboring countries also suffered its effects.
- Because of careful preparation under Joseph’s supervision, Egypt had abundant food.
- Joseph began to sell the brain reserves.
- People of neighboring areas came to purchase food, setting the stage for our next lesson.
In God’s redemptive plan, Joseph endured some very hard times.
- Yet the Lord did not expect him to overcome those hard times in his own strength.
- Today, when we cooperate with God in His work, He gives us insight and stamina sufficient for the situation.
- When following God presents us with hard times, we can overcome them, knowing God has a plan to see us through any crisis.
Question #5:
“How is God preparing our group for present and future challenges?”
- We should be mindful that God is at work in our lives and will not abandon us in our difficulties, but will see us through.
- No matter what we may be suffering, He gives us the grace, desire, and determination to always trust Him to see us through any crisis that may come our way.
“How is God preparing our group for present and future challenges?”
- We should be mindful that God is at work in our lives and will not abandon us in our difficulties, but will see us through.
- No matter what we may be suffering, He gives us the grace, desire, and determination to always trust Him to see us through any crisis that may come our way.