Browse Bible Study Resources

Youth Worship 24 September 2022 : “Manasseh and Ephraim”

Text: Genesis 41:47-57
24 September 2022

INTRODUCTION

1. Life may be understood in their different “stages”

2. This may be seen in Joseph’s life

a. In Canaan
i) In the home of Jacob
ii) Living with his brothers
b. In Egypt I
i) As the slave-steward of Potiphar
ii) As a prisoner
c. In Egypt II
i) As the “Prime Minister” of Egypt
ii) He was only 30 years old Genesis 41:46

THE FULFILMENT OF THE FIRST DREAM OF PHARAOH

47 Now in the seven plentiful years the ground brought forth abundantly.

48 So he gathered up all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities; he laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them.

49 Joseph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he stopped counting, for it was immeasurable.

Genesis 41:47-49

1. There were seven plentiful years

2. Granaries were built to store up the abundance of the grain

JOSEPH’S NEW LIFE IN EGYPT

50 And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him.

51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.”

52 And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Genesis 41:50-52

1. Joseph had two sons with Asenath, his Egyptian wife

2. Their names were meaningfully chosen

a. Manasseh
“For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.”
Genesis 41:51
i) Reference to God was made
ii) God had helped him to forget
(The pain suffered in his father’s house)
b. Ephraim
“For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”
Genesis 41:52
i) Another reference to God was made
ii) God had caused him to be fruitful in Egypt
(The land of his affliction)

THE FULFILMENT OF THE SECOND DREAM OF PHARAOH

53 Then the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Egypt ended,

54 and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. The famine was in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
55 So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do.”

56 The famine was over all the face of the earth, and Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians. And the famine became severe in the land of Egypt.

57 So all countries came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe in all lands.

Genesis 41:53-57

1. The seven years of Famine had set in

2. This severe famine affected all the lands around Egypt

3. Only in Egypt was there bread

4. The storehouses were open to all countries to buy grain

SEEING THE HAND OF GOD AT WORK

1. In the dreams given to the Pharaoh

a. In the 7 plentiful years
b. In the 7 famine years

2. In sending Joseph to serve the Pharaoh

a. To help many countries
b. To save lives

3. Even in the tougher times

a. Of being sold as a slave
b. Of being wrongly accused
c. Of being imprisoned

CONCLUSION

1. The challenge

a. To know God better
b. To trust Him more

2. To be that possible:

a. Servant of God
b. Called to serve Him
c. Called to help people in need