Responding To God’s Revelation

Genesis 41:15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.

28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.

33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”

44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.”

46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. 47 During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. 48 Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. 49 Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.

50 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.”

56 When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. 57 And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.

“God has revealed…God has shown…” <v25, 28>

• God’s purpose for revelation
  – Get blessed response from man
  – Recognize that He is God
  – Turn to Him
• Warning comes with instructions for liberation
  • Deliverance only possible if listen to God’s word

• Does our human response matter?
  • Can we change God’s plan?
  • Do we really know what God’s plan is?

If understand spiritual truth, must share the saving news.

• Can’t interpret dreams? We have a better gift!
  • The Spirit of wisdom and revelation <Ep 1:17>
• If know God’s revelation but don’t share, people cannot respond in time rightly.
  • People need the gospel answer we know.
  • The wise in the world seem to know a lot, but they are ignorant about the most critical truth.
  • We are like ‘Joseph’ of our times, so do not look down on ourselves.
• If we are willing to be used by God, can also be filled with the Holy Spirit.
  • Not just being ‘supernatural’ but also practical and normal.

The God we trust is a God in full control.

• Pharaoh’s 2 dreams and interpretation came from God.
• Incomprehensible to the human mind.
  • Why the strong swallowed up by the weak?
• In His unique design for Joseph, God went as far as moderating the weather for 14 years!
• Sometimes it seems as if God didn’t care about our temporal suffering, but He has greater plans in mind which are not yet revealed to us.

Reflection

1. Is it easy for you to get revelation from God (i.e. understand His will)? Do you always hear from the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in your daily life?
2. How do you usually respond after knowing God’s will? What responsibility do we have after getting God’s revelation (i.e. knowing His truth)?
3. Share how you can trust that God is in full control, even if some of your prayer answers are delayed.