This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "God Rewards Our Faithfulness", 1/8/2012

GOD REWARDS OUR FAITHFULNESS

Genesis 41:37-45, 50-52

JOSEPH'S DEDICATION RECOGNIZED
V.37. " And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his
servants."
A. Giving credit to God, Joseph successful interpreted the dream of Pharaoh that his
magicians and wise men could not. There would be seven years of prosperity and
seven years of famine.
1. When you follow God, your wisdom will exceed the wisdom of man.
2. When you follow God, success is assured.
3. When you follow God, men will see that you have extraordinary ability.
B. When you are doing what God wants you to do, those above you and those
below you will come to respect you.
1. Those who follow God must know that the road to success is filled with ups and
downs.
2. We must daily seek the Lord for guidance and directions. In the end, our
perseverance will result in success. Gal 6:9
3. God will cause men to notice our faithfulness and reward us.

V:38. " And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in
whom the Spirit of God ?"
A. Pharaoh, an idol worshiper, because of Joseph's faith came to know the true and
living God.
1. Others can see God in you and become encouraged by your faith.
2. Those around you know the difference between a Godly man and a worldly man.
3. When your light shine, others in the dark come to the light. Mat 5:16
B. The spirit of God indwells all believers.
1. Only those who know the spirit, can discern the things of the Spirit. John 14:17
2. Because of Joseph's faith, Pharaoh developed a relationship with the Lord.
3. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
a. Your testimony about the true and living God affects those who hear.

V:39. " And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there
is none so discreet and wise as thou art."
A. Those who humble themselves before the Lord will be elevated by the Lord.
1. All the days of Joseph's life in Egypt, he worshipped the Lord and gave Him
credit for his success.
B. The wisdom of God exceeds the wisdom of man.
1. It is our experiences with God that strengthen our faith in God.
2. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Prov 1:7
3. It is through the Holy Spirit that we gain wisdom.
4. It is through the Holy Spirit that we get discernment.

JOSEPH'S ELEVATION
V:40. "Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be
ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou."
A. If you are faithful in a few things, God will make you ruler over many things.
Mat 25:23.
1. In all that you do, make sure it is your best.
2. Do all that you do according to the commands of the Lord.
B. God blesses us so that we can bless others according to His will.
1. Joseph's elevation blessed Pharaoh with a knowledge of God.
a. The nation of Egypt was blessed with Joseph, who blessed them with
his faith and dedication to God.
2. Faithfulness to God brings responsibility and duty.

V:41. " Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt."
A. Joseph's early life was marked by trials and tribulations, yet he remained faithful
to God.
1. He was sold into slavery by his brothers.
2. He was thrown into prison because of the lies of a woman.
3. Yet, he served God faithfully through his trials.
4. Every time He got up, Satan was there to bring him down, yet faith in God
strengthen him.
5. He was tried, tested and then rewarded by God. Prov. 28:20
6. They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.
7. No weapon formed against him prospered. Isa 54:17
B. What we can learn from Joseph's life.
1. To serve God you must first be available.
2. To serve God you must be willing.
3. To serve God you must be committed.
4. To serve God you must be prayerful.
5. To serve God you must be knowledgeable of His Word.
6. To serve God you must know His voice.
7. To serve God you must be willing to endure trials and tribulations. Mat 16:24
8. To serve God you must allow yourself to be led by God.

GOD EMPOWERS THE FAITHFUL
V.42. " And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and
arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck."
A. The "Ring" represented Pharaoh's authority.
1. Joseph was an agent of Pharaoh.
2. Joseph was Lord Chancellor
3. Signet ring was used to seal documents to enforce rules and regulations.
B. Fine linen= shech= person of first distinction , royal clothing
C. The gold chain was a badge of office.
a. It represented a union between all parts of the government.
D. Because of Joseph's life style of faithfulness to God, he was elevated to a position of
power and authority.

V:43. " And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried
before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt."
A. The second Chariot in the King's parade means Joseph was second in command.
1. Public Recognition
2. Prime Minister
B. Bow = abrech
ab = father
rech= tender
1. Joseph was the tender father of Egypt.
a. He was given the responsibility for the care of Egypt.
2. Joseph was a type of Christ. (The "type" was the example and Christ is "anti type")
a. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow. Isa 45 :23, Rom 14:11
C. Ruler over Egypt.
a. All power over heaven and earth was given to Jesus. Mat 28:18
b. Jesus suffered for the world, then was given power over the world.
c. Joseph suffered for Egypt and was given all power.

DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO JOSEPH
V:44. " And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift
up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt."
A. To the faithful, God gives authority to do His will.
1. God equips
a. Through trials and tribulations.
2. God empowers.
a. Joseph was given all authority over Egypt.
3. God directs.
b. Joseph was careful to follow God's commands.
c. Joseph listen to voice of the Lord.
5. God lifts up the humble and puts down the proud.
B. From slavery to glory
1. Trials and tribulations
2. Testing
3. Faith building
C. God has to prepare us to do the job that He has called us to.

JOSEPH'S REWARD
V:45. " And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnath-paaneah; and he gave him to wife
Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land
of Egypt.
A. Zaphanth-paaneah= the revealer of secrets.
1. God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams.
a. We have gifts that are to be used to bless others.
b. If we fail to use our gifts to serve God, we lose them.
2. Joseph used his gift to bless others.
3. You are known by what you do.
4. Your character defines you.
5. Joseph was a type of Christ. Christ revealed His secrets to us.
B. Joseph was blessed with a wife.
1. Asenath= belonging to the goddess of Neith (wisdom).
a. Jesus sacrificed His life for His bride; the church.
b. Joseph dedicated his whole life to God and was blessed with new life in his
bride. Rom 12:1,2
2. God blesses us with what we need when we are ready to receive it.
a. It was a woman who put him in prison.
b. It was a woman who released him from his loneliness.

V:50. "And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which
Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him."
A. When you follow God, blessing continue to flow.
1. God blessed Joseph with two sons.
2. Son's were important to continue the family name.

JOSEPH'S MEMORIAL TO GOD
V.51. "And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Mahnasseh: For God, said he, hath
made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
A. In time, God will heal all the hurts of heart.
1. Joseph had a void in his life for his family.
2. God gave Joseph children to build a home around him.
3. When you are faithful, God will give you the desires of you heart.

V:52. " And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be
fruitful in the land of my affliction."
A. Joseph named his children as a memorial to what God did in his life.
1. We ought to do something special to honor God for His blessings.
2. God caused Joseph to be fruitful in Egypt.
3. Our lives are a testimony.
4. We ought to let others know about the goodness of God.

There are four changes in Joseph's life presented in this passage.

A. There is a change in his position.
1. He was elevated from a slave to second in command of Egypt.
2. Similarly, we came to Christ our position was changed from worldly to heavenly.
a. Jesus said; "Where I am , you will be also".
b. When we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior we became children of the King.
B. There was change in his dress.
1. He was arrayed in fine linen; clothing of a king
2. All believers are washed in the blood of Jesus. Our sins are cast as far as the east is
from the west.
3. We are clothed in righteousness of Jesus Christ.

C. There was a change in his Name.
1. Before we belonged to Satan. But now, being believers, we belong to Christ.
2. Any man in Christ is a new creation.
3. To the world you are now known as a Christian.
D. There was change in his family.
1. Joseph was given a wife and had two sons.
2. All believers have a new family in Jesus Christ.
a. Christ is the bride groom and church is his bride.
b. We are now in the body of the Church, the family of Jesus Christ.