Rejuvenation
Joseph And His Dreams

From the Pit, the Prison, to the Palace

Sunday March 19, 2023 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Genesis 37-45

THE MESSAGE

In this message, I will share that "Rejuvenation" can happen at the lowest points of your life. If you do not give up on God, He will use your God-given gifts and talents to bring about your rejuvenation. At the end of the sermon, I will share how to cultivate the right attitude toward trials and misfortune.

THE BIBLICAL TEXT

Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants." Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. -Genesis 50:18-21

THE CONTEXT

1. God rejuvenated Joseph from the pit and the prison to the palace.
2. The three pairs of dreams move the narrative from prophecy to fulfillment.
3. The fulfillment of these dreams brought the family of Jacob, descendants of Abraham, to Egypt to fulfill God's promise to make Abraham into a great nation.
4. The six dreams set in motion Joseph's rise from the pit and the prison to the palace.

THE DREAMS

Joseph, at the age of 17, dreamed that his brothers, as well as his father and mother, would bow down before him.

"...There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf...Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me." -Genesis 37:7,9

FIRST PAIR OF DREAMS: Joseph's Dreams (Genesis 37)

1. Dream One: His brothers' sheaves stood all around and bowed down to Joseph's sheaf. (Genesis 34:7)
2. Dream Two: Joseph sees the sun, moon, and Eleven (11) stars bowing down to him. (Genesis 37:8,10)

From the PIT to Egypt

1. Joseph's dreams were a sign of where he was headed.
2. The pit was a symbol of hatred. So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words...And his brothers envied him. (Genesis 37:8,11)
3. The pit, the slavery, and the exile were an unexpected journey to the palace... And they took Joseph to Egypt...Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar... (Genesis 37:28, 36)
4. Joseph took his charisma wherever he went. The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man (Genesis 39:2)

You can still use your gifts and talents even when at your lowest.
The following chapters (Genesis 39-41) tell how Joseph's dreams were fulfilled.

SECOND PAIR OF DREAMS: The Prisoners' Dreams (Genesis 40)

1. Dream One: The cupbearer recounted his dream of a vine with three branches that budded, blossomed, and ripened. He took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh's cup, and presented the cup to the king. (Genesis 40:9-11) Joseph interpreted that Pharaoh would "lift his head" and restore him to his place within three days. Joseph requests that the cupbearer bring Joseph's case before Pharaoh and secure his release from prison. (Genesis 40:8-15)
2. Dream Two: The baker saw three bread baskets on his head, the top one full of baked goods for the king. But birds picked the food out of the top basket and ate it. Joseph interpreted that within three days, Pharaoh would "lift off his head," impale his body on a pole, and birds would eat his flesh. (Genesis 40:16-19)

From SLAVERY to the PRISON

"...The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came in to me to mock me; so it happened, as I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside." So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, "Your servant did to me after this manner," that his anger was aroused. Then Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. -Genesis 39:17-20

1. The second pair of dreams occur during one of the low points in Joseph's life-Potiphar's wife accused Joseph of wrongful doing, and he was sent to prison. (Genesis 39).
2. Joseph's charisma followed him to the prison.
3. In prison, Joseph experienced the Lord's presence, the jailer's favor, and promotion to leadership. (Genesis 39:21-23)
4. Joseph made the best of his terrible situation. Whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.

Lesson

1. Joseph was a forerunner of Jesus. His life in prison depicts a righteous man between two offenders. Just as Jesus triumphed over his temptation, Joseph did not give in to the temptation of Potiphar's wife.
2. Jesus was accused of blasphemy, and Joseph was wrongfully imprisoned.
3. Joseph was disciplined and developed self-mastery to control himself in all situations.
4. Joseph stood up to temptation.
5. Joseph befriended the shamed.
6. Joseph never gave up on God.

THIRD PAIR OF DREAMS: Pharaoh's Dreams (Genesis 41)

1. Dream One: Pharaoh saw seven fat cows grazing along the Nile. Then seven skinny cows emerged and devoured them. Despite their feast, the seven skinny cows were "as ugly as at the beginning." (Genesis 41:17-21)
2. Dream Two: Seven full heads of grain grew on a single stalk. Then seven withered, thin heads of grains devoured the seven good heads. (Genesis 41:22-24)

Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it." So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." -Genesis 41:14-16

From the PRISON to the PALACE

1. Joseph tells Pharaoh that "Seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise." (Genesis 41:29-30)
2. Joseph tells Pharaoh that the two dreams are one, repeated twice because "the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass." (Genesis 41:32)

Rejuvenation: Dreams fulfilled

1. Pharaoh takes Joseph's advice and elevates him to second-in-command over the land. (Genesis 41:40-41)
2. Joseph's own family bowed their faces to the ground in his presence, a fulfillment of his dreams years earlier. (Genesis 42:6)

How did you end up where you are now? What's your story?

How to Cultivate the Right Attitude Toward Trials and Misfortune

1. Let God's name always be on your lips.
2. Suffering can be part of God's plan to accomplish His purpose.
3. If God is all you have, then you have all you need; God is enough.
4. Forgiveness is a big part of God's plan for your life.
5. God will give you the strength to endure your painful circumstances.
6. God doesn't waste the trials He lets you go through.

Despised to Favored

1. Joseph was born to Rachel after her many years of infertility. His birth took away Rachel's shame of being childless.
2. Joseph's service at Potiphar's house, in prison, and at the palace was marked by the Lord's presence and favor.
3. Integrity and Injustice
4. Joseph's story shows us that even in the face of injustice, we can carry on the word of God with integrity. God will make it right in the end.
5. Surplus and Famine In God's economy, there can be a surplus in famine.

Takeaway

1. Rejuvenation can happen at the lowest point.
2. Rejuvenation is not a one-time event. (...the spirit of Jacob their father was revived. -Genesis 45:27)
3. Rejuvenation is not limited to one person. (All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy. -Genesis 46:27)
4. Circumstances may put you in a situation totally out of your control, but God can rejuvenate you.

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. -1 Peter 5:10