Genesis 41:41-57
5 Rewards for Remaining Faithful in the Dungeon
Reward 1 – Joseph is Promoted.
J. Oswald Sanders - “Not every man can carry a full cup. Sudden elevation frequently leads to pride and a fall. The most exacting test of all to survive is prosperity.”
Genesis 41:41 – “So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’” What Do We Learn? - Lengthy afflictions need not demoralize us.
Reward 2 – Joseph receives Prestige.
Genesis 41:42 – “Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.”
What Do We Learn? – Unfair circumstances need not define us. Remember: It takes only one moment for your course to change.
Reward 3 – Joseph gains Prominence.
Genesis 41:43 – “Pharaoh had Joseph ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and men shouted before him, ‘Make way!’”
What Do We Learn? – Ungodly people cannot cancel us.
Reward 4 – Joseph offers Perspective.
Genesis 41:50-52 – “Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, ‘It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.’ 52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, ‘It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.’”
What Do We Learn? - Bad memories need not defeat us.
Reward 5 – Joseph becomes a Provider.
Genesis 41:56-57 – “When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. 57 And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in all the world.”
What Do We Learn? – Huge roadblocks need not deter us from service.
Charles Swindoll – “With authority comes the need for accountability. With popularity comes the need for humility. With prosperity comes the need for integrity. Joseph passed all three tests with flying colors.”
** In Christ, we:
are Promoted – once sinners, now co-heirs with Jesus
Romans 8:17 – “Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ...”
given Prestige – right to become children of the Most High
John 1:12 – “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
gain Prominence – authority over demons, even Satan
Luke 9:1 – “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out alldemons and to cure diseases.”
Luke 10:19 – Jesus said, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
offer Perspective – new wisdom about life...even life in the dungeon
1 Corinthians 1:24 – “...but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
become Providers – by leading others to Christ.
Acts 1:8 – Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
© Pastor Kirk A. McCormick
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