SERIES: The Gospel in Genesis (Joseph)
TEXT: Genesis 40:1-23
MESSAGE: “Waiting on God’s Timing”
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“Come now, let’s kill him…Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” — Genesis 37:20
“…despite all appearances, God was on Joseph’s side in his deepest humiliations.” — Gordon Wenham
“Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one’s thoughts.” ― Elizabeth Elliot
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” — 2 Peter 3:9
“Society is now dominated by beliefs, attitudes and ways of thinking that elevate the values of impulse, instant gratification and loss of control to first line actions and reactions. “I want it now!” or “Do it now!” are valued mantras for today’s with-it person, young or old. Add to instant action the belief that there are no limits to human power, no limits to action, no limits to success. Fueled by the grandiosity and omnipotence of these beliefs, people get high on the emotions of endless possibility with no need to ever stop or slow down.” – Dr. Stephanie Brown
TEXT: Genesis 40:1-23
What does God develop in Joseph through waiting?
He develops…(1. A Compassion for others 2. An Assurance of God’s Presence 3. A Trust in God over man)
- A Compassion For Others (v. 2-7)
“And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody.5 And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why are your faces downcast today?”
“No sin is worse than self-pity, because it removes God from the throne of our lives, replacing Him with our own self-interests. It causes us to open our mouths only to complain, and we simply become spiritual sponges–always absorbing, never giving, and never being satisfied. And there is nothing lovely or generous about our lives.” ~ Oswald Chambers
- An Assurance of God’s Presence (v. 8)
“They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.”
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
- A Trust In God Over Man (v. 14-15; 20-23)
14 “Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.…20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.”
“But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” — Genesis 39:21
TAKEAWAYS: What can we learn?
Submitting To God’s Timing…
- Produces Real Hope, Not Hopelessness
- Psalm 27:14 — “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
- Redeems Our Past Hurts & Pains
- Grows Our Character
- “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” ― C.S. Lewis
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” — Romans 5:6